In celebration of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Philippine Wacoal Corp., together with the Philippine Foundation for Breast Care, Incorporated (PFBCI) recently launched its series of seminars at the Ateneo Professional School in Rockwell Makati. It is a venue to keep abreast via symposia that provides valuable insights and updates on how to detect early signs as well as basic tips on how to prevent breast cancer.

"Wacoal has always been focused on understanding the needs of every woman. We from Wacoal believed that beauty must be achieved through wellness and the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign is a significant move to help every woman with her pursuit of beauty," tells Toshihisa Tanaka, chief executive officer of Philippine Wacoal Corp.

During the seminar, lead resource speaker Dr. Tina Santos (M.D., F.P.C.S.) asserts the importance of early detection for the successful treatment of breast cancer. Women as early as age 20, should faithfully conduct breast self-examination once a month. This would help women keep track of the condition of their breasts. Unusual lumps, visible change in breast and nipple appearance, and bloody or clear discharge from the nipple, are some indications of breast cancer. Once detected, one should immediately seek medical help.

"The best time to examine your breasts is two to three days after your period, when your breasts are least likely to be tender or swollen. If you do not have periods, pick a day, such as the first day each month, to remind yourself that you need to perform breast self-examination," she tells.

Aside from the self-breast exam, women are encouraged to visit the doctor for the clinical breast examination. Frequency may range every six months to three years, depending on the age and risk factor of the patient.

"Key to prevention of breast cancer is healthy lifestyle and proper awareness about the cancer," Dr. Santos adds.

Facilitating the kick-off event was Wacoal spokesperson/image expert and beauty queen Abbygale Arenas-de Leon. She was joined by cancer survivors Pearl Imperial, Julieta Flores, Maribel Manliclic, Carlota Gacoscos, and Estela Hamor as they inspired the audience with their own success stories against their battle with the Big C.

Among the interesting topics during the discussion was the fact and fiction often-heard about cancer. One of which is that ‘all breast lumps are cancerous’. According to experts, in general, 80 percent of lumps are caused by benign (non-cancerous) changes in the breast. This percentage tends to fluctuate with age. For young women, more than 80 percent of breast lumps are benign. As a woman ages, her risk of developing breast cancer increases.

As for breast cancers as mainly a genetic disease, experts say that only a small percentage (five percent to 10 percent) of breast cancer cases are thought to be due to abnormal genes. A mutated breast cancer gene is only one of the risk factors for developing breast cancer, 80 percent of women who get breast cancer have no clear risk factors.

Common myth that small breasted women cannot get breast cancer was also debunked for the amount of breast tissue a woman has does not affect her risk of developing breast cancer therefore concluding that breast size is certainly not a significant risk factor for the disease.

Finally, the debate over underwire bras causing breast cancer was also discussed. "A book published a few years ago called ‘Dressed to Kill’ suggested that underwire bras can constrict the body’s lymph node system, causing breast cancer. This link between underwire bras and breast cancer is completely inaccurate. The authors did not take into account other genetic, environmental or social factors that contribute to breast cancer."

As a final word, Dr. Santos explains, "Cancer forces anyone – not just the patient involved – to appreciate the value of life. The first step is to know how and what you’re fighting for."