Ask most people who they think is prone to breast cancer and they are likely to come up with this typical profile: An older woman, between 40 and 55, possibly going through menopause.

That's not way off target. The Singapore Cancer Society says that 70 per cent of all breast cancers in the country are diagnosed in women aged 40 years and older.

However, others should not think they are invincible. One could be much younger, pregnant, even a man - and get breast cancer. The important thing is: Remember that early detection and treatment are vital, so never ignore possible early signs.

Dr Lee Soo Ching, senior consultant at the National University Hospital's (NUH) haematology-oncology department, said it is not uncommon for her to detect an odour from locally advanced breast cancer patients who consult her.

The foul smell is from lumps on the breast that have developed into a mass of fungus and pus. One patient bled so much from the lump on her breast that she needed a blood transfusion.

She said that in many cases of locally advanced breast cancer here, there has been an extended period of neglect and denial, due to the fear of a bad diagnosis.

Locally advanced breast cancer is typically large (more than 5cm) and may have spread to several lymph nodes in the armpit or areas near the breast.

Dr Lee said: 'Even some highly educated women with successful careers ignore breast cancer symptoms. Regular mammograms are very important. So is seeking immediate treatment when symptoms of breast cancer develop.'

The Singapore Cancer Society said that breast cancer is the commonest cancer affecting women in the country and about 1,000 new cases are diagnosed annually. Significantly, the number of women who have breast cancer in Singapore is increasing at an average rate of 3 per cent annually.

The National Cancer Centre wants all asymptomatic women (those who do not show symptoms of the disease) aged 40 years and above to go for regular breast screening. Those aged 50 to 70 should go for mammograms once every two years.

The Singapore Cancer Society said the only effective and proven method to detect breast cancer early is the mammogram. It will detect microcalcifications (calcium dots), an early sign of non-invasive duct cancer, and breast cancers too small to be detected by clinical examination.

The National Cancer Centre estimates the overall benefit of breast cancer screening for women of all eligible ages is a reduction in cancer mortality of about 20 to 40 per cent.

Recently, The New York Times said most pregnant women learn of their pregnancy-associated breast cancer - breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy or within 12 months of delivery - two to 15 months later than non-pregnant women. They are also 21/2 times more likely to be told of advanced-stage breast cancer.

Dr Ho Gay Hui, senior consultant breast surgeon at the National Cancer Centre, said: 'Pregnancy-associated breast cancer is often diagnosed wrongly because breast lumps are harder to palpate when breasts are engorged.'

Most of the pregnancy-associated breast cancer cases Dr Ho treated were in Stage 2 or 3 by the time of diagnosis.

Dr Wong Seng Weng, consultant medical oncologist at The Cancer Centre, advised against delaying treatment until after delivery as it can significantly lower the survival chance of the mother.

A family history of breast cancer also raises a person's risk of contracting the disease.

Dr Visnja Reynolds, a consultant radiologist specialising in breast imaging at the NUH department of diagnostic imaging, said women with a family history of breast cancer should have regular mammograms earlier, even before age 40.

Even women who get a test result suggesting they are low-risk should not skip regular mammograms, she stressed.

Men, too, must know they can get breast cancer. The National Cancer Centre estimates that men accounts for 0.4 per cent of all breast cancer cases here.

Two years ago, airline executive C.J. Hee (not his real name), now 62, felt a hard lump near his right nipple. Despite first dismissing it as just fatty tissue, Mr Hee saw his family doctor.

He was referred to a specialist and an ultrasound followed by a surgical biopsy confirmed that he had Stage 1 breast cancer.

Mr Hee's paternal grandmother died of breast cancer in the 1960s. Two of his aunts also developed breast cancer over 15 years ago.

'I was aware that breast cancer can happen in men but I didn't expect to be a victim," he said.

He was shaken but decided to battle the cancer with a positive attitude, seeing it as a plus that his cancer was still at an early stage when it was detected.

In August 2006, he had a mastectomy and he has since been going for check-ups once every three months. 'I am an optimistic person and I try to make the most out of life. Why be depressed?" he said.

This article was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times on Oct 2, 2008.