When we combine the colour pink with a cause, probably with an instant you would relate this to breast cancer awareness. And in some parts of the world, the mention of ‘breast cancer’ is still a taboo due to its relation to a female body part.
We cannot ignore the fact that breast cancer is one of the most common cancers amongst women, and with that Watsons proudly collaborates with Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA) Malaysia for the fourth consecutive year to continue to raise awareness of BC especially to its customers and members.
What is BSE?
A breast self-examination is one you can do yourself monthly – just think of it like an exercise to discover and examine to make sure unusual change happens. How to do a BSE? Click here or do visual check with Watsons Pinktober dance!
Just to get you up to speed when it comes to myths surrounding breast cancer! Here are some of the common myths that we ought to think twice or many times again….
- Breast Cancer only runs in the family? The fact is, only between 5-10% BC are caused by abnormal genes passed on from parent to child. The main factors to look into is the lifestyle and environment that can have an impact on breast cancer risk.
- The bigger, the higher risk? Nonsense! breast cancer develops in the cells that line the ducts (that part of that produces milk and carries to your nippies) and all women regardless have the same size. The only difference would be the amount of fat and stroma (fibrous tissue) where researchers found that has little impact on cancer odds.
- Only older women can get it. False! Breast cancer can occur at any age although the risk increases as you grow older. FYI, in Malaysia the overall lifetime of risking getting breast cancer is 1 in every 19 women.
- Harmful to babies when doing a test. You need to know that doing an ultrasound is safe as it has no radiation risk. Biopsy of the lump is also safe, while mammography is possible with the aid of an abdominal shield to protect the baby from any radiation.
- Completely removing the breast is safer than only the affected area. Well, clinical trials have shown that mastectomy and breast conserving surgery with radiation offer the same survival. There are issues with both treatments and patients need to be informed to make the right decision for them.
- Men don’t get breast cancer. Although chances are only 1% of men are diagnosed with breast cancer, it is still a possibility for men to develop the disease.
Hopefully this would enlighten you a bit on breast cancer and what you need to do, which is to be responsible for yourself. Not much harm can be done when you can master the BSE yourself and have an annual check up at the doctor to be safe. Early detection saves lives.
Be part of the pink movement, download our free stickers for your IG story, WhatsApp, and Telegram:
If you would like to be part of this month’s collaboration with BCWA where we raise funds for their clinical research and activities, you can purchase the participating brands below where a percentage will be donated to the good works.
Throughout October, Positively Pinktober offers you PWP UP TO 50% OFF sales plus health & beauty vouchers worth RM240 up for grabs – available for ONLINE & In-store purchases!
Leaving you with our Positively Pink power over to you with these survivors’ videos, one way or another it will give you and us all some greater insight that early detection saves lives.
