Sulaimaniyah: More than two new cases of breast cancer recorded daily

27-11-2018 09:50
A woman undergoes for breast cancer detection. Photograph: Reuters

 

By Peregraf


"I always tell people: do exercise. It does not cost anything. At least try to walk half an hour on a daily basis," these remarks came from a breast cancer expert addressed to people as a means of self-protection from breast cancer.


Breast cancer is one of the most widespread diseases throughout the world. On Tuesday, October 23, 2018 doctor Hazha Abdulla, an expert of the disease and, the president of Multi-treatment Clinic of Breast Cancer at University of Sulaimaniyah, gave some highlights on the disease, protection from it, along with its treatment in a seminar where Peregraf was present.


The seminar was held by Kurdistan Girls Network in the University of Sulaimaniyah as part of a series of activities held to raise public awareness about breast cancer. October is the selected month to raise awareness concerning the disease all around the world.

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells. There are many types of breast cancer: The most common types are ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive ductal carcinoma, and invasive lobular carcinoma.

Last year, 14 million people were diagnosed with breast cancer and it is predicted that the number will increase to 21.7 million by 2030. The number of death rate from the disease is expected to be doubled by 2030 which makes 3.2 million.

"Generally half of the women diagnosed with the disease die from it, so we are in an infinite battle with the disease," doctor Hazha told Peregraf.

She demonstrated that a new case of breast cancer is diagnosed every 29 seconds, which makes it extremely widespread in the world. In Sulaimaniyah alone, 15 to 18 cases have been diagnosed on weekly basis.

 

Doctor Hazha Abdulla the president of Multi-treatment Clinic of Breast Cancer at Univrsity of Sulaimaniyah

 

Doctor Hazha, who is also teaching at the College of Medicine in the University of Sulaimaniyah, said although the disease common among women, men can be diagnosed as well. There are male patients at Hiwa Hospital, she said, "The rate of exposure is 1 in every 8 for women and 1 in every 100 for men."


The disease has four stages. Stage four is the most dangerous, but even if a person reaches stage four s/he may live for a long time afterwards. In contrast with, for instance, pancreatic cancer that kills the patient within 6 months, most people with breast cancer will live for a long time or even cure the disease if they are diagnosed at early stages and given necessary treatment before it is developed.


Age plays a vital role in this disease. 1 of every 250 40-year-old women are diagnosed with the disease, but 1 of every 27 60-year-old women are diagnosed, a much larger margin for younger women.


According to doctor Hazha, several factors increase the possibility of being diagnosed with the disease: menstrual cycle before the age of 12 and after the age of 50, using contraception pills, eating red meat and drinking alcohol, gaining weight and avoiding exercise, etc. She asserts, "Doing exercise is crucial. It should become a daily habit, at least 4 hours a week," she adds, "I tell those diagnosed with the disease and take chemicals to start exercise immediately. Exercise is critical before and after exposure to the disease. %5 to %10 might be caused by genetic factors, but the most effective factor is people's lifestyle."