Breast Cancer: The leading types of female cancers: Things You Must Know About Your Breast Health

Major Reasons Why Breast Cancer is Becoming More Common Among Females:

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancerthese days @Scitechofficial

What is Breast Cancer :

Cancer is the uncontrolled and abnormal division of cells in the different parts of body 

Breast Cancer is a type of cancer that originates in breasts of a woman. It's a most common factor in United States after Skin cancer. In 2022 an estimated 281550 cases of invasive cancer ( which spread Outside the breast) and 49290 in situ breast cases. 

Breast cancer starts when the cells grow abnormally in the breast. These cells divide more than normal cells and form a tumor. The tumor can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body and are non cancerous. Malignant tumors can spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, or lungs and are cancerous. 

Common Signs seen among Breast cancer patients
Freepik

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

Lumps, swelling or mass in the breast are common symptoms of breast cancer but also it cannot be a cancer because these symptoms can be in other women due to any injury. Other symptoms of breast cancer are as below:

• Changes in size or shape of breast 

• Any discharge from breast especially bloody discharge

• Pain in breast

• Redness on breast 

• Rashes on breast near or around nipples

• A breast which diseases can be feel heavier than the other.

• Swelling, dimpling , lumps are common symptoms

• Any changes in skin of breast 

One thing to note is that these symptoms can not be same in every case. So if you notice any symptom, you must need to talk to a doctor.

Pink Ribbon is used as an indicator of Breast
Cancer, Pixabay

What are the Major Causes of Breast Cancer?

The exact causes are still unknown but here are some factors which can increase the risk of breast cancer.
Reproductive factor:

The woman who has her first periods in early age or who have menopause in older age have the greater risk of breast cancer because of having exposure to estrogen for long time . Estrogen is the the hormone which promotes the growth of breast cells which further forms tumor. 

 Hormonal therapy:

Hormonal therapy for menopausal symptoms such as Estrogen or progesterone can increased the risk of breast cancer because hormonal therapy increase the production of estrogen.

 Age :

The risk of breast cancer commonly increased with age . Its usually diagnosed in women after the age of 50.

Genetic Mutations :

Some women have inherited gene mutation that have passed from parents to offsprings, which increased the risk of breast cancer.

Obesity:

Obesity is the factor that increase the risk of breast cancer because it increases the level of estrogen in body. 

Alcohol Consumption:

The woman who drinks alcohol have greater risk of having breast cancer because alcohol damage the DNA which can cause cancer.

Family History:

If someone have breast cancer in their family history then they are more risk to develop the disease themselves .

Radiation Exposure:

Radiation Exposure increases the risk of cancer but it is mostly ignored by women. The radiation Exposure such as chest X-rays, radiation therapy or Sun exposure directly to chest increase the risk of breast cancer.

How can one check Breast Cancer by myself?

Tips by which you can self examine any
Breast Tumor or growth, Freepik

• Lie down on your back with one arm under your head.

• Use your other hand to gently feel your breast.

• Start from the outer edge of your breast and move in a circular motion , including your nipples.

• Must check your armpits moving towards your breast.

• Repeat the process on both sides.

• If you feel and swelling, lumps or mass, you don’t need to worry ! Just talk to your doctor to checked it out.

How to diagnose a breast cancer?

There are number of tests to diagnose a breast cancer. Some of them are as follow:

Pixabay

Mammongram: 

An illustration of a female performing Mammogram
Freepik

Its the test which is mostly done to diagnose a breast cancer. In this test X-ray of breast is done. It is the best way to detect cancer when it is treatable. It is mostly recommended for women starting age 40.

Ultrasound:

Ultrasound is done by passing sound waves to create an image of the breast. This is mostly done after mammongram to see a lump. And also be done to guide a biopsy needle.

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is done for creating a detailed image by using strong magnetic field and radio waves. This is mostly used for those women who have high risk of breast cancer or who have family history. It is also used to check if cancer has spread to other parts of body.

Biopsy:

Its the best way to definitely diagnose the breast cancer. In this process a small piece of tissue is removed from breast to diagnose it under the microscope. There are different types of biopsies as :

1. Fine needle aspiration biopsy

2. Core biopsy

3. Surgical biopsy.

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer then you doctor will work for you treatment . 

How Breast Cancer can be Treated?

There are different types of treatment but it depends upon your stage of cancer, age and health conditions .

Surgery :

Surgery is the common treatment for breast cancer which is done to remove the cancer and any surrounding tissue.

There are different types of surgeries :

Lumpectomy, Mastectomy and lymp node dissection etc.

Radiation therapy:

Radiation therapy is used to kill cancer cells by high energy beams. This mostly done after surgery to kills remaining cells or before surgery to shrink the tissue for easy removal. 

Radiotherapy Room, Freepik

Chemotherapy:

Chemotherapy is the treatment uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be used before or after radiation therapy or it can be treated alone depending on the stage of cancer.

Hormonal therapy:

It is done by drugs to block the hormones causing growth of cells. This is often used for woman who have hormone sensitive breast cancer.

How can i reduce the risk of breast cancer?

There are many things which women can do to reduce the risk of breast cancer such as :

Regular Mammogram:

Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer at early stage . So if you feel any lumps or mass grown inside breast so must go through a regular mammogram.

Healthy weight: 

By maintaining healthy weight or avoiding obesity can reduce your risk of breast cancer because obesity can be the cause of breast cancer.

Avoid Alcohol:

Women should avoid drinking alcohol to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Because it increases the risk of cancer by damaging DNA.

No Smoking:

A woman should quit smoking for reducing the risk of breast cancer. Because it also increases the risk of breast cancer.

Regular Exercise:

By having regular exercise you remain fit and healthy. And it reduces the risk of breast cancer. 

Be Aware of your Family History :

You should be aware of your family history. If there is risk of having breast cancer due to family history then you should talk to your doctor about this risk.

No Direct Exposure to Radiations:

Women should not be directly exposed to radiation. The risk can be reduced by not wearing black under shirts , as black color absorbs the Sun rays which can cause cancer if continuously or daily exposed to sun.

Patient counseling is still the best way to engagethe patient in his Therapy matters, Freepik

A Final Conclusion:

Breast Cancer is becoming common now because of different causes as environment changes, alcohol consumption or changes in lifestyle . Becoming overweight can also be the risk of breast cancer. So women should reduce the risk by avoiding these all. And should be diagnosed early if feel any issue. There are number of treatments done for the breast cancer, so one should see to doctor if diagnosed and must be treated on time.

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