Campaign 99 for Breast Cancer Early Detection
The Million Free Early Screening Campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of early detection among individuals in Iraq and encourage them to undergo regular screenings, thereby contributing to saving lives and reducing medical costs. Campaign 99 for breast cancer early detection is one of the projects under the Million Free Early Screening Campaign. It offers free breast cancer screenings, with trained female doctors provided to ensure the comfort and privacy of the patients. The Imam Hussain Holy Shrine fully funds these screenings, believing in the importance of raising awareness about early detection.
Early breast cancer screening:
• When breast cancer is detected early, women have more treatment options and a better chance of recovery.
• The most common tests for detecting breast cancer are mammograms and clinical breast examinations. Screening tests are used to detect breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms.
• If a mammogram reveals something abnormal, you will need to undergo follow-up tests to determine whether the finding is breast cancer or not. Sometimes, breast cancer can be ruled out through additional tests such as breast ultrasound or breast MRI.
Family history of breast cancer and genetic mutations:
• Some women are at higher risk for breast cancer than others due to having relatives with certain types of cancer, which is referred to as "family history of cancer."
• Having a mother, sister, or daughter (a first-degree relative) with breast cancer approximately doubles the risk of developing breast cancer. This risk increases if more close relatives have breast cancer or if a relative was diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50.
• Breast cancer does not only affect those with a family history but having a family history increases the risk. The likelihood of developing breast cancer also increases with age, and most breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women over the age of 50. Therefore, every woman, regardless of whether she has a family history or not, should undergo early breast cancer screening.