KARACHI, June 15: Medical professionals on Tuesday observed that chances of breast cancer could be minimized by adopting active lifestyle, consuming less alcohol , taking less fats and by breast feeding the babies.

They were delivering their presentations at a continuing medical education programme on "A Guide for Clinicians," organized at the Liaquat National Hospital under its Radiology and Imaging department.

Breast imaging specialist Dr Zubaida Qureshi spoke on "image-related investigation of breast diseases" and said that breast imaging, especially X-ray and mammography, played a very important role in assessment and management of breast diseases.

She suggested that mammography be done only for patients above 35 years and ultrasound should be done for the patients in younger age groups, because it produced better results in diagnosis.

Oncologist Dr Naila, delivering a lecture on "Screening and Prevention of Breast Cancer," informed the audience that it was a common cancer among females in terms of incidence and mortality, and the risk become greater with increasing of age, adding that it was the second most common cause of deaths due to cancers.

With regard to significance of screening for breast cancers, she said it comprised regular self-examination, followed by clinical breast examination (undertaken by physician) and mammography.

The cited modalities were mentioned to ease the process of diagnosis at early stages and availability of updated medical intervention, including surgical option and advanced medical management, to improve the quality of life as well as survival chances of the patient.

"One in seven women are affected by breast disease, but statistical evidence proved that early diagnosis and treatment could improve the survival up to 97 per cent in five years," she added.

"Early detection of cancer can prevent breast removal," she said, adding that an appropriate referral, followed by a teamwork by breast radiologist, breast surgeon, histopathologist and oncologist, resulted in the best possible outcome for a patient.

She said that 90 per cent of the breast cancers were sporadic and male could also develop the disease in rare cases. "After age, family history is a very important risk factor, as cancer in a first-degree relative increases risk of breast cancer by two-fold, while the risk increases by four folds if it happens in younger women (pre-menopausal) and the risk can increase by eight-folds if bilateral breast cancers were reported in family," she said.

Genetic factor was also associated with breast cancer, she said. She said that consumption of alcohol and fat increased the risk of breast cancers among women and they should breast feed their babies, which might reduce the risk of breast cancer, although it was still not proved. Dr Rufina Soomro spoke on "Presentation and Surgical Management of Breast Cancer." Dr Muhammad Murtaza also spoke on the occasion. -PPI/APP