THE PHILIPPINE Society of Medical Oncology said that breast cancer is so common in the Philippines that one in every 13 Filipinas is expected to develop it in her lifetime. Moreover, the Philippines has been identified as among the having the highest incidence rate of breast cancer in Asia.

In addition, the chances of getting breast cancer increase as one gets older, said Philippine Cancer Society Executive Director Dr. Rachael Rosario.

And men get breast cancer too, although it is rarer. Less than 1% of cancer patients are male, said Dr. Rosario,

Among the risk factors for breast cancer are: being overweight, having no children at the age of 30, having a family history of breast cancer, drinking excessive alcohol, and having early menstruation and later menopause, among others.

Dr. Rosario advises a breast self-check at least once a month, most especially a week after menstruation. — NFPG