How Breast Ultrasound & Mammogram May Save Your Life

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

DR WINNIE NG NYEK PING
Consultant Clinical Oncologist
Subang Jaya Medical Centre
NO FAMILY HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER = NO PROBLEM? WELL, THINK AGAIN!

“Even if one has no known family history of cancer, external factors such as environmental exposures, prolonged exposure to female hormones and lifestyle features may contribute to an increased relative risk of breast cancer,” says Dr Winnie Ng, a consultant clinical oncologist.

“Aside from genetics, there are numerous underlying possible causes of breast cancer,” says Dr Ng
  • Alcohol intake
  • Smoking
  • Prolonged exposure to female reproductive hormones such as oestrogen, such as in women that reach menstruation at early age, women that have never been pregnant, women on oral contraceptive pills, women that experience menopause late, and woman that have their first full-term pregnancy at a later age
  • Postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy
  • Obesity

Theerfore, even if you have no family history of breast cancer, Dr Ng recommends that still going for breast cancer screening.

“The easiest method of screening is by self-examination of the breast,” she adds.

How to perform a breast self-examination. Click on this image to view a larger version.
AS WE STILL DON’T HAVE A CURE FOR BREAST CANCER, SCREENING REMAINS THE MOST PRACTICAL SOLUTION TO DETECT BREAST CANCER EARLY

Dr Ng recommends that

  • Women below 40 should undergo a breast ultrasound
  • Women above 40 are advised to go for a mammogram

You should consult your doctor about your risk factors and how often you should go for breast cancer screening.

 “A breast cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. Self-tests and regular screenings can save lives,” says Dr Winnie Ng.

What Every Parent Should Know about Congenital Heart Defects in Children

WORDS DR CHOO KOK KUAN

DR CHOO KOK KUAN
Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Cardiologist
Subang Jaya Medical Centre

The most common heart disease among children is known as congenital heart defects.

This condition occurs when the heart or the blood vessels near the heart do not develop normally before birth.

HOW COMMON IS THIS CONDITION?

According to our Ministry of Health, the incidence of congenital heart defects among children is about 8 to 10 per 1,000 live births.

With an average of 500,000 deliveries in Malaysia each year, the number of children born with congenital heart defects is about 5,000 a year, of which two-thirds will require surgical intervention.

THE CAUSES & RISK FACTORS

Most congenital heart defects have no known cause.

They may sometimes run in families.

Some congenital heart defects may be associated with genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, Williams syndrome, etc.

Some children have a higher risk of developing congenital heart defects if the mother has diabetes or rubella, or has taken certain medications such as anti-epileptic drugs, during pregnancy.

DETECTION OF CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS

Sometimes a heart defect can be diagnosed before a baby is born.

However, defects are usually identified days or even months after birth, when symptoms become obvious.

Less serious congenital heart defects may not show any noticeable signs or symptoms, so they may only be diagnosed later in childhood.

It is also possible to have a heart defect and show no symptoms at all.

POSSIBLE SIGNS THAT A BABY OR YOUNG CHILD MAY HAVE CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS
  • Rapid breathing
  • Bluish discolouration commonly noticed around the lips, fingernails, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet
  • Shortness of breath during feeding, leading to poor weight gain
  • Poor growth
  • Recurrent lung infection
WILL A CHILD WITH CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS BE OKAY?

As a result of medical advancements, the outlook for congenital heart diseases is increasingly positive.

Most children with this condition reach their adulthood.

In fact, children with simple conditions may lead completely normal lives, while those with more complex conditions usually face more challenges that can nevertheless be addressed with the right measures in place.

6 THINGS THAT EVERY PARENT OF CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS SHOULD KNOW AND DO
  1. Heart medications can be very strong and dangerous if not given correctly. Parents must understand how much medicine to give and how to give it. If the child takes a blood thinner, parents must have clear instructions on how to give this medicine safely.
  2. Ensure the child eats well and receives adequate nutrition. They often tire when eating, so they eat less and may not get enough calories.
  3. Prevention of infections is crucial. Although an infection in the heart (endocarditis) is uncommon, children with heart defects have a greater risk of developing this. Good dental hygiene goes a long way toward preventing endocarditis by reducing the risk of tooth or gum infection. Parents can get more information from cardiologist about the latest guidelines on antimicrobial prophylaxis against infective endocarditis. These children must also get all the recommended vaccinations.
  4. Most children with a congenital heart defect can be physically active without restrictions. In fact, children are encouraged to be physically active to keep their hearts fit and to avoid obesity, unless they have a few specific heart conditions.
  5. Emotional support will help children who may have self-esteem issues because of how they look. They may have scars from surgery, and they may be smaller, or have limits on how active they can be.
  6. As children transition to adulthood, parents can gradually teach them about their heart defect and guide them in how to care for their own health without being overly protective.