Breast cancer patients: 'Don't trade health for money'

HONG KONG Annie Lee discovered stage 2 breast cancer at the age of 31. She awoke to realize that unhealthy lifestyle has pushed her to disease.

Annie, a stock trader at investment bank, stumbled across a lump in her breast during a shower, in mid-2015. Her doctor gave her a scan, an ultrasound, and a biopsy. Still convinced she was okay with her history and healthy family, Annie went to get her results the next day.

"Are you here ... alone?", The sudden doctor's question froze Annie from her healed premonition. She called her husband, also a financial worker, to the hospital immediately. The doctor said she had stage two breast cancer.

Annie then confessed that she was overworked, sometimes leaving the office at 11pm. She is lazy to exercise, her favorite foods are chocolate, and fast food like hamburgers and chips.

"When you're stressed, you crave something bad for your body," says Annie.

Young people do not realize that lack of physical activity, stress, and poor diet are risk factors for breast cancer. Nor did Annie know that having dense breast tissue - a more common condition among Asian women - would put her at a higher risk.

"When you were young, you wouldn't think you had cancer, but now I know no matter how young you are, you are at risk," she said.

 

Annie Lee, a young cancer survivor, practices wellness at a cancer support center in North Point, Hong Kong. Photo: SCMP

To raise awareness about the disease and its risks, Annie will participate in the Hong Kong Cancer Foundation's Pink Dress Day on October 23. This is one of a series of events scheduled for the annual Red Revolution campaign from the international breast cancer awareness month.

Annie will also get friends, family, and co-workers involved because breast cancer awareness will save more people.

Dr Yvonne Tsang Yee Yan, a general surgery specialist in Hong Kong, says cases like Annie are common. Inherited cancer accounts for only 10% - 15%, of the total cases. Factors such as inactivity, mental stress and smoking increase the risk of breast cancer, the doctor said.

"There are many studies showing that dense breast tissue has a higher risk of breast cancer, but the cause is not clear," Tsang said.

Breasts are composed of many constituents, including solid tissue and adipose tissue (or non-dense tissue). Dense breast tissue is detected by X-rays, the dense tissue is more dense than fat tissue.

Nine months later, Annie underwent chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. During her recovery, the Hong Kong Cancer Foundation (HKCF) gave a lot of support, she used free services and included the program "You can". The program was launched in 2011, for cancer patients from 18- 39 years old. "You can" provide services that address challenges young patients face, such as family and job responsibilities, said Kannie Lam Chui-Yin, a service assistant at HKCF. , is interested in self-image, and has intimate relationships with her husband / boyfriend.

The number of people joining the program is increasing, more than 1,000 people join in 2019, up 23% from the previous year. Lam said there is a growing number of young people with cancer in Hong Kong, but there are not many services to support this age group.

In particular, breast cancer is a common disease among Hong Kong women. The Hong Kong Cancer Registry reported more than 4,000 cases of invasive breast cancers in 2017, an increase of 6.5 percent from the year before. The average age of breast cancer is 57.

Annie started walking, practicing Pilates, playing golf, learning to dance and many activities from the support services. During the exercise, there are people to support and monitor. Sexy dance is Annie's favorite form of exercise. With many hip turns, with chairs being aids, Annie feels feminine and confident with her body when dancing.

Annie Lee exercised, realizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle after breast cancer. Photo: SCMP

Annie's company also facilitated during times of crisis. She is able to return to her job after 9 months of unpaid leave for treatment. The first few months back at work, she struggled with fatigue. So her boss shortened Annie's workday to let her adapt.

Overcoming life-threatening shock, Annie changed her lifestyle. She exercised 3 times a week, strength training to help combat stress. Last year, she practiced muay Thailand every week, and at the same time started practicing yoga. She also regularly runs with her husband around the neighborhood in Pok Fu Lam.

Annie cares about health and work balance in life. "Don't trade your health for wealth, you will lose," she said.

Early detection of cancer has a high chance of cure. Tsang said the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation recorded a 5-year survival rate of 97.5% for stage 1 cancer patients, figures drawn from the study of the Hong Kong Cancer Registry and the University of Hong Kong. Kong.

Tsang advises that "women of all ages should do a breast self-exam every month, for a week after their menstrual period". Young women with symptoms should have an ultrasound and see a doctor who will make the decision to have an additional mammogram or not.

According to the Hong Kong Cancer Foundation, there are 5 signs of breast cancer that every woman should watch. The first is the appearance of lumps in the breast. Next is the same lumpy, irritated chest skin. Pain or pain in your chest and under your arms. Change breast shape and size. Eventually an discharge occurs, itchy nipples or changes in nipple shape.