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Are corporate women more at risk?

Prof Dr Anisur Railman
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women of Bangladesh. Like many other cancers, our knowledge of breast cancer has increased many folds over the last decade. Although even today, the doctors are not very sure about what causes breast cancer, numerous studies conducted all over the world have found several factors which are associated with it.
Some of these factors are not within our control, like, female gender, advancing age, family history of breast cancer, early start of menstruation and late stoppage of menstruation etc. Other factors which have been associated with breast cancer are related to our life style.
Being 50% of our population, the women of our country are coming more and more to the work force. With better education, change in social environment, change in attitude and overall attaining self-confidence, corporate sector in Bangladesh is increasingly being populated by women. The demand of the job, the competitive pressure and the
ever increasing desire to succeed has led to change in the life style. Unfortunately many of these changes in lifestyle are also associated with breast cancer.
One must be very clear that none of these factors are directly implicated with breast cancer. But several major studies all over the world have again and again found association of these factors with breast cancer.
These factors include not
having a child or delay in the birth of first child, choosing not to or not being able to breast feed the child, leading a sedentary lifestyle and not being able to exercise, obesity, consumption of high fat diet and fast foods, indulgence in smoking and alcohol, use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) etc.
The desire to succeed in career may make some women to delay in starting a family. Similarly
tight office timing may prevent many mothers from breast feeding their children. In these days of ubiquitous computer in our workplace, we work almost all day at our desks and there is very little time or opportunity for physical exercise. In the same note it may be said that during working days it is convenient to have fast food for lunch, leading to large intake of fat.
So what can be done? The best
advice is to be aware. If you are between 30 to 40 years, then regular breast self-examination once a month should be done. If you are 40 and above then along with monthly examinations, annual mammogram is advocated.
Mammogram is a special type of X-ray of the breast that can detect very early breast cancer. Along with these measures, try to lead a healthy life style. Eat right, avoid fat and red meat and take lot of green vegetable. Make time everyday to do regular exercise; even 45 minutes of brisk walking 5 days a week has been found beneficial. Avoid alcohol and smoking, which are the cause of many other diseases also.
If you do discover a breast lump, avoid denial, don't be shy and seek prompt medical advice. Consult a surgeon. Remember, breast cancer like many other cancers can be treated best if diagnosed early. The sooner, the better.