What is Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, which mainly affects women. Still rare in men, breast cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the breast. Beginning in the cells of the breast, breast cancer can destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. Researchers have identified hormonal, lifestyle and environmental factors that may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. The first symptom of breast cancer is a hard lump formed around the breast area; it may not be related to a woman's menstrual cycle. Doctors estimate that more than 5-6% of breast cancer patients are linked to genetic mutations passed down from generation to generation. Obesity, increasing age, history of breast cancer, and postmenopausal hormonal imbalances are other common factors that can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Each breast contains 15 to 20 glands called lobes, where milk is produced. Breast cancer usually starts in the lobes, compared to women, only one in a thousand men is diagnosed with breast cancer, which is detected as a hard lump under the nipple area. There are different stages of this potentially fatal disease - 0, I, II, III and IV. The higher the stage, the more serious the patient's condition. If diagnosed at stage 0, it means the cancer is confined to the mammary duct (where milk is produced), making it the earliest stage. Some ways to find breast cancer are breast exams, breast MRI, and breast ultrasound. Some common ways to diagnose breast cancer are to see if there are any unruly bumps around your chest, or if you experience pain while stretching your arms during certain arm exercises.
Breast Cancer Causes
Despite advances in medical science and technology, the exact cause of breast cancer is not clear. Breast cancer develops when cells in the area start to multiply at abnormal rates. Factors that increase a woman's risk of getting breast cancer include:
- Age: The increase in age is the main risk factor for causing breast cancer
- Your medical history: if you have had cancer in one breast, there is a chance that you will also develop cancer in the other breast.
- Family history: Family history is another risk factor that can cause breast cancer. If your mother, sister or daughter has been diagnosed with breast cancer, especially at a younger age, your chances of developing breast cancer also increase. However, it should be noted that most cases of breast cancer have been found without a family history of the disease.
- Genes: Certain genetic mutations passed on from parents to children can also increase the risk of breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the most common genetic mutations that can dramatically increase your risk for breast cancer.
- Radiation exposure: exposure to radiation therapy, especially to the breast, can increase the risk of breast cancer.
- Obesity: Obesity is not only the cause of many health diseases, but also one of the main causes of breast cancer.
- Having your first child at an older age: giving birth to a first child after age 30 increases the risk of breast cancer. In addition, women who have never conceived are at greater risk of breast cancer.
- Postmenopausal hormone therapy: Women who take hormonal drugs such as estrogen and progesterone to treat the signs and symptoms of menopause are at increased risk of developing breast cancer. Stopping these drugs decreases the risk of disease.
- Alcohol consumption: Alcohol consumption regularly increases the risk of breast cancer.
The most important thing to know is how normal your breasts look and feel. One of the most common symptoms of breast cancer is the formation of a lump in the breast. A painless, hard lump in the breast with jagged edges is also a sign of breast cancer. If you experience pain, or any symptom that you may be in doubt, get checked out.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Some other early symptoms of breast cancer include:
- Breast swelling
-Breast or nipple pain
-Nipple retraction (nipple turning inward)
- Discharge from the nipple (and it is not milk)
-Red skin of the breast or nipple
-Skin irritation or dimpling
-Bum in the breast area near the nipples or anywhere else on the breast (s)
-Bumle in the armpit
- Unexplained change in breast shape or size
-Changes in appearance of the skin
-Nipple thickness changes
-Blood stained discharge from the nipples
-Bone pain
Prevention & Myths
Stop smoking: Smoking not only promotes breast cancer, but many other diseases as well. Better to stop today. In addition, one can seek professional help to quit smoking.
Limit your alcohol intake: Drinking less alcohol lowers the risk of breast cancer. The less alcohol you consume, the lower the risk of developing breast cancer.
Exercise: Obesity is one of the main risk factors for breast cancer. Exercise, maintaining healthy eating habits, and shedding extra pounds help reduce the risk of beast cancer.
Breast-feeding: Breast-feeding can help lower your risk of breast cancer. The longer you breastfeed, the greater the chances of reducing your risk of breast cancer.
Regular Health Checks: It is very easy to control breast cancer in the early stages and therefore it is recommended to have regular breast cancer checks. Breast cancer exams are the best way to catch the tumor before it grows into a cancerous form.
MYTH: Every breast lump is cancerous.
FACT: Not all breast lumps are cancerous. In fact, many breast lumps are caused by non-cancerous conditions. However, if you experience any change in the breasts, you should inform a doctor. Specialists can then perform tests and determine whether the lump is cancerous or not.
MYTH: Men are not affected by breast cancer.
FACT: Although the condition is more prevalent in women, it doesn't mean that men aren't affected by breast cancer. Breast cancer affects men and it is essential to see a doctor if any of the symptoms appear in men.
MYTH: No lump in the breast means no breast cancer.
FACT: The lump does not have to appear before breast cancer appears. Breast cancer can also affect the armpits (auxilla) in the human body. Swelling of the skin, dimpling, sudden changes in the skin or nipples, and change in the thickness of the nipples are also some symptoms of breast cancer and should not be taken lightly.
MYTH: Obese women and women of normal weight have the same risk of breast cancer.
FACT: Obesity or being overweight increases the risk of breast cancer. Maintaining a healthy BMI is always good, as this not only lowers the risk but also helps keep many other illnesses at bay.
MYTH: Deodorants and perfumes cause breast cancer.
FACT: There is no scientific data to support the above claim. More research is needed to verify whether the toxins in antiperspirants are related to breast cancer or not.
Treatments for Breast Cancer
Treatment for breast cancer depends on the stage of the cancer you are fighting and the size of the tumor. In addition, other factors also come into play, including the age of the patient, existing health problems and the state of menopause. It is also important to determine mutations in inherited breast cancer genes, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2.
Here are some of the treatment options:
1.surgery:
It includes either the removal of the tumor and the tissue surrounding the healthy tissue or the surgical removal of the entire breast. When you destroy only the breast tissue, the surgery is called lumpectomy. Surgery to remove all of the tissue is called a mastectomy.
2. Radiation:
This treatment uses high energy rays to kill the cancer cells.
3. Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy is used to kill cancer cells and is the main treatment for advanced breast cancer. In case you have already had surgery to remove cancerous tissue, you may be advised to undergo chemotherapy to destroy any cancer cells that are not detected and reduce your risk of the cancer coming back.
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