TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Risk assessment calculator breast cancer has been much debated in recent years.
This tool works to predict how likely it is that a woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the future. But, is this tool really effective for everyone? What do we need to know and notice from the results?
Olivia Munn‘s story
American actress Olivia Munn announced a few months ago that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. Reporting from Asia News Channelher life was saved thanks to a breast cancer risk calculator.
Her doctor calculated her risk score and the results showed that Munn was in the high risk category. The team of doctors then performed a series of tests such as MRI, breast ultrasound and biopsy. All of these procedures eventually confirmed Luminal B cancer in both breasts.
How the risk calculator works
Breast cancer risk calculators, such as the Gail and Tyrer-Cuzick model, or some call it the IBIS model. This tool is designed to estimate the likelihood that a person will develop cancer within a certain period of time.
How it works, users will enter personal data such as age, ethnicity and family history. Then continue by telling when her first menstruation started. The last one is the birth age of the first child, if you have one.
After that, the system compares the information with similar population data, providing risk estimates in the next 5 years and throughout life. However, these calculators are usually only validated for American numbers, so limitations arise when they are used in other regions, such as Singapore.
Why is this tool so relevant in Singapore?
Experts in Singapore explain that the device is not completely suitable for the local demographic. Andrew Clayton Lee, a surgeon at Gleneagles Hospital, said calculators like Gail’s model were based on North American population data, but Singaporean women were mostly of Malay, Chinese or Indian ethnicity. These differences can lead to inaccurate predictions.
“High-risk women may feel falsely safe, or conversely, low-risk women may be anxious for no reason,” Lee said. Asia News Channel.
Furthermore, many women use these calculators without professional guidance. Choo Bok Ai, a radiation oncologist from Icon Cancer Center, warned that results could be misinterpreted without medical consultation. “If the risk score is high, some women may be afraid to overdo it and instead seek other inappropriate treatments,” he explained.
Notice
Although risk calculators can be useful, early detection of breast cancer still depends on awareness and education. In Singapore, low study rates represent a challenge that needs to be overcome. The 2022 National Population Health Survey reports that only about 40 percent of women aged 50 to 69 years get regular mammograms. This figure will continue to decrease to below 35 percent in 2023.
“Many women delay screening for cultural reasons, fear of judgment, or limited time and money,” said Dr. Choo. This is a reminder that prevention requires a holistic approach, not just relying on technology.
Ways to detect breast cancer early
In Singapore there are several ways to detect breast cancer. The most common is a mammogram. This method uses X-rays to detect abnormalities such as lumps or small spots.
Then there is a breast ultrasound. The procedure uses sound waves, usually used for women with dense breast tissue. Then there is a breast MRI that is recommended for women at high risk or if the mammogram shows unclear results.
Finally there is breast self-examination. This method is recommended to be done every month by women over 20, seven to ten days after menstruation.
Lee said clinics in Singapore now offer 3D mammograms which are more accurate than 2D mammograms. However, each method still has limitations. “Mammograms do not always detect cancer in young women with dense breast tissue, and false negative results can occur,” he said.
Lifestyle to Reduce Cancer Risk
In addition to technology and medical tests, preventive measures through a healthy lifestyle play an important role. “About 80 percent of cancer risk is lifestyle-related,” Choo said. It recommends that women eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, manage weight, and reduce alcohol consumption
In addition, women with a family history breast cancer You can consider genetic testing to detect risk early. Although not all risk factors can be controlled, a healthy lifestyle can reduce the chance of developing cancer.
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2024-10-31 03:20:00
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