Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in Singapore today. 

1 in 12* women in Singapore is likely to develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Between 2018 and 2022, more than 13,000 new cases were diagnosed.

Breast cancer is a malignant tumour which occurs when breast cells become abnormal and divide without control or order. 

The majority of breast cancers start in the milk ducts. A small number start in the milk sacs or lobules. Within these two groups, some grow very slowly while others develop more rapidly.

Breast cancer can spread to the lymph nodes and to other parts of the body such as the bones, liver, lung and sometimes to the brain.

Being a woman is a risk factor for developing breast cancer.Other risk factors include:

• Increasing age,
  
  
• Obesity,
  
  
• Excessive alcohol consumption,
  
  
• Smoking history,
  
  
• Reproductive history (age when menstrual periods began, age of first pregnancy and use of hormonal replacement therapy). 
  
  
• Notably, genetic factors and family history of breast cancer, especially in a first-degree relative (mother, sister or daughter), or two or more close relatives such as cousins and the presence of genetic alterations in certain genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 are also associated with significant lifetime risks of breast cancer.

if you are at increased risk of breast cancer and wonder what you can do to lower your risk, or would like to know the latest treatment options available and more, don't miss this chance to ask Clin Asst Prof Zhang Zewen.

* Source: Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2022

Clinical Assistant Professor Zhang Zewen is a Medical Oncologist at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) sub-specialising in breast cancer and gynaecological cancer.

Dr Zhang is part of NCCS’ Cancer Genetics Service team involved in research related to hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes, including Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer and Lynch syndrome.

In addition, Dr Zhang teaches at both the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, and is active in teaching medical students, registrars and nurses.

Ref: G25