When we hear the word breast cancer, we all get a little scared, right? That's normal. But did you know that for Asian women like us, especially South Asian women, the way this disease develops, its risks, and how we deal with it are a little different than for women in Western countries? Being aware of these differences is very important for our health. So let's talk about this simply and politely today.
Why are you talking specifically about Asian women?
Breast cancer is common among women around the world. However, research has found that the risk varies by race and region. In general, Asian women have a slightly lower risk of developing breast cancer than white women in Western countries.
But here's the important thing: Recently, breast cancer has been steadily increasing among Asian women. That means we need to be more concerned about this now than ever before. This increase is especially visible among women in countries like the Philippines, South Asia (including us), China, and Korea.
How our lifestyle and where we live affect this
This may seem like a strange thing, but where we are born and how we live directly affects our risk of breast cancer. Just think, research has found that a woman who moves from our country to a Western country like America or Europe has a higher risk of breast cancer than a woman who is born in our country and lives with our traditional food and drink.
Simply put, this risk increases with the adoption of a "Western lifestyle."
Why does that happen?
- Diet: The Western diet is high in oil, fatty foods, and processed foods. Switching from our traditional diet of vegetables, fruits, and fiber can increase the risk of adverse effects on the body.
- Lack of exercise: With a busy life, the body gets less exercise. Things like using vehicles and sitting at the same place in the office reduce the body's activity .
- Delaying childbearing: As in Western countries, many women are now delaying marriage and having children due to education, work, etc. Not having children or having them late, and not breastfeeding their children are factors that slightly increase the risk of breast cancer.
- Environmental factors: Things like new chemicals and pollution in the environment we live in can also affect this.
What is the age at greatest risk? This is the most important point!
Here's something you should definitely remember: In a Western country, the risk of breast cancer peaks between the ages of 75-79 for a white woman.
But for Asian women, that is, for us, this risk peaks between the ages of 40 and 49.
This is so important that in Western countries, breast cancer screening, that is, mammograms, are usually recommended after the age of 50. But since the risk for our women increases before that, it is very important to talk to your doctor about your risk after the age of 40 and, if necessary, start screening earlier.
Don't just wait, don't think, "I'm not old yet." After the age of 40, definitely see your doctor and talk about this.
Are the types of cancer that develop different?
Yes, there are some differences in the types of breast cancer that develop based on ethnicity. These are a bit technical terms, but let's keep it simple.
1. Estrogen Receptor-Positive (ER+): In this type, the female hormone estrogen helps the cancer cells grow. It's like adding fertilizer to a plant. This type is more common in young Asian women. It can be successfully treated with hormone therapy.
2. Triple- negative breast cancer: This type is more aggressive and more difficult to treat because the cancer cells do not depend on the hormones mentioned above to grow. This type is more common in older Asian women than in Western women.
3. HER2-Positive Cancer: This is also a slightly faster-growing type. There are now targeted therapies for this as well.
Researchers believe that these differences are influenced by many factors, including genetic factors, lifestyle, and access to health services.
There is also good news: the power of early detection!
Don't be alarmed by all this. There is good news. When it comes to death rates from breast cancer, Asian women have the lowest rates.
The main reason for this is early detection . Our women are more likely to seek medical advice as soon as they experience symptoms. Also, the disease is more likely to be detected at Stage I.
| Point of comparison | Asian women (us) | Western (white) women |
|---|---|---|
| Age at highest risk | 40 - 49 years old | 75 - 79 years old |
| Early detection | There is a higher trend | Relatively low |
| Deaths from cancer | Lowest among all nations | Relatively high value |
The biggest advantage of treating a disease is to detect it early, because then the treatment is much more successful and the chances of a complete recovery are much higher.
Take-Home Message
- As an Asian woman, the way breast cancer affects you is different than a Western woman.
- The highest risk age for us is between the ages of 40-49. So, be sure to talk to your doctor about breast screening after the age of 40.
- Live a healthy lifestyle. You can reduce your risk by eating a balanced diet, exercising daily, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding alcohol and smoking.
- If you notice any changes, lumps, skin changes, or anything unusual in your breasts , don't delay and see a doctor immediately. Early detection is the best defense.
- Don't be afraid of this information. The most important thing is to be aware. Awareness makes you stronger.
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