BREAST CANCER
It seems as
if breast cancer has become the
worst fear for every woman living in the 21ST century. Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring
cancer in women and the second most common cancer overall. Questions like, what
are the symptoms? What are the causes? How am I going to get treatment? Swirl
in the minds of many women. So as a means of addressing some of the frequently
asked questions pertaining to breast cancer this post will provide some of the
necessary information every woman needs to know about breast cancer.
Breast cancer as the name suggests is a cancer that forms in the cells of the
breasts. It can occur in both men and women
but is far more common in women. Over the years breast cancer survival rates
have increased so being diagnosed with breast
cancer is not the end for an individual if the cancer is detected early.
Signs and symptoms
·
A
breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissues
·
Change
in the size, shape or appearance of the breast
·
Changes
to skin over the breast, such as dimpling
·
A
newly inverted nipple
·
Peeling,
scaling, crusting or flacking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the
nipple (areola) or breast skin
·
Redness
or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange
·
Nipple
discharge other than milk
·
Lump
in the underarm area
Individuals who
are at a high risk of breast cancer like
women over 40 or those who have a risk of breast
cancer in their family should have an annual mammogram and physical exam by
the doctor. Every woman is encouraged to regularly examine her breasts in order to detect any unusual signs that might require the doctor’s attention. One’s
chances of beating breast cancer can be enhanced if the cancer is found and
diagnosed early.
Risk factors
·
Age
As one gets older the risk also increases. At 20 years the risk of
developing breast cancer in the next decade is 0.6%.
·
Genetics
If a family member or close relative has or has had breast cancer the risk is also higher.
·
History of breast cancer or breast
lumps
When comparing women who have had breast cancer in the past and those who
have no those who have had it in the past have a higher risk of having it again.
·
Dense breast tissue
Breast cancer is more likely to develop in higher density breast tissue.
·
Estrogen exposure and breastfeeding
Exposure to estrogen for a longer period
of time appears to increase the risk of
breast cancer. This can be due
to starting periods early or entering menopause late than average. Also, those women who breastfeed for more than a year have a lower risk of getting cancer.
·
Body weight
Women who are overweight or have obesity after menopause may have a
higher risk of developing breast cancer possibly due to higher levels of estrogen.
High sugar intake may also contribute.
·
Alcohol consumption
A higher rate of regular alcohol consumption appears to also play a role.
Researches show that women who consume more than 3 drinks a day have a 1.5
times higher risk.
·
Radiation exposure
Undergoing radiation treatment for cancer
that is not breast cancer increases the risk
of breast cancer later on in life.
·
Hormone treatments
Use of hormone replacement therapy and oral birth control pills have been
linked to breast cancer, due to increased levels of estrogen.
·
Occupational hazards
Exposure to carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, for example in the workplace, could be linked to breast cancer.
·
Cosmetic implants and breast cancer
survival
Women with cosmetic breast implants who are diagnosed with breast cancer have
a higher risk of dying from the disease and a 25% chance of being diagnosed at
a later stage compared to women without implants.
Ways to reduce the risk of breast
cancer
There is no guaranteed
method of preventing breast cancer but some lifestyle
decisions can reduce the risk of breast cancer. These include
·
Avoiding
excess consumption of alcohol
·
Following
a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, and fiber
·
Getting
enough exercise
·
Maintaining
a healthy body mass index
·
Having
a preventative surgery, for women at high risk
·
Avoiding
exposure to radiation and environmental pollution
·
Breastfeeding
·
Limit
dose and duration of hormone therapy
Treatment
One’s
treatment can differ depending on the cancer stage. Cancer is staged according
to the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to the lymph node or other parts of the body. As part
of the treatment, one can undergo
surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy or targeted therapy.
Every treatment plan has a specific group it targets since different plans have
different side effects. So once an
individual is diagnosed the doctor can take them through their condition and the
preferable treatment plan. A person’s age and overall health can influence the
type of treatment to be administered to an individual.
Want to know more about breast cancer? follow these links:
https://www.breastcancer.org/
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