Things You Need to Know About Breast Cancer
Advances in screening and treatment for breast cancer have dramatically increased survival rates, since 1989. According to the American Cancer Society's Cancer.org, 3.1 million breast cancer sufferers in the United States. The risk of dying per woman from breast cancer is about 1 in 38 (2.6%).
Breast Cancer can Make Many Female Worry. And that’s Natural.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide. Most women identified with breast cancer are over 50, but younger women can also develop breast cancer.
Approximately one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer. There is a chance of recovery, if detected at an early stage.
For this reason, it is important for women to frequently examine their breasts, for any changes.
Possible Causes of Breast Cancer and Risk Factors
After puberty, the female breast consists of fat, connective tissue, and many lobules. It is a small gland that produces milk.
Cancer motivates cells to proliferate uncontrollably. This excessive cell increase causes cancer.
Breast cancer usually begins in the inner lining of the milk ducts, or lobules, which give them milk. From there, it can spread to different parts of the body.
The exact cause of breast cancer is unclear. Many women who are considered to be at high risk of developing breast cancer do not know it, however, many women without risk factors have it.
The threat of breast cancer is increasing for certain women, from benign breast lumps to women who have had ovarian cancer. And if you've had breast cancer before, you could get it again.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer in Woman
Breast cancer may not cause any symptoms at an early stage. In most cases, the tumors are sometimes too small to feel, but abnormalities can still be seen on a mammogram.
The initial sign is usually a new lump in the breast that was not there before. But not all lumps are cancerous.
Different types of breast cancer can cause different symptoms. Many of these signs are similar, but some can vary.
The most common breast cancer symptoms include:
- Breast pain
- Breast lump, or thickening of tissue that feels specific from the surrounding tissue, and has grown
- Inverted nipples
- Swelling of some or any part of your breast
- There is fluid coming out of the nipple other than breast milk
- Swelling under arms or lumps
- Peeling, scaly, or peeling skin on the nipples or breasts
- Sudden and unexplained change in breast shape or size
- Bleeding on your nipples
If you've had these symptoms, it doesn't mean you have breast cancer. For example, breast pain or a breast lump can be triggered by a benign cyst. However, if you find a lump in your breast, or have other symptoms, you will need to see your doctor for further examination and testing. Find out more about the early signs of breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Early cancer analysis significantly increases the odds of survival.
When detected early, breast cancer can be treated right away, and people who achieve this can live longer.
The survival rate is decreased for cancers that have spread locally, and is very low for cancers that have metastasized, or spread, to distant parts of the body.
When monthly self-examinations are performed, a woman becomes familiar with her breasts, and can easily detect unusual changes, such as lumps, swelling, or changes in contour, which require an immediate medical examination.
Changes that are seen through self-examination may not always be an indication of cancer. Alternatively, if the changes found are cancerous, the increase may be quite advanced.
Before they are palpable, breast growths can be detected by a process called mammography, which requires the use of X-rays to detect lesions in the breast tissue.
Mammography is used for the initial diagnosis, but, to verify the presence of cancer, a tissue sample (biopsy) usually must be taken. If cancer is suspected to have spread (metastasized) to nearby lymph nodes, they should also be sampled.
Metastases usually start in the so-called sentinel lymph nodes, (the first lymph nodes attacked by cancer cells) and, in the case of breast cancer, spread to the axillary lymph nodes, which are located in and around the armpit.
Once the cancer is diagnosed, the type of tumor and the degree of invasion are assessed.
Several imaging techniques can be used to determine the degree of metastasis, including X-rays, computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanning, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The presence of receptors for the hormones progesterone and estrogen is also determined, as they play an important function in the development of cancer, and in making decisions about appropriate treatment.
Breast Cancer's History
A woman who has had cancer in one breast, such as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive breast cancer, is 3 to 4 times more likely to develop a new breast cancer.
Direct family history
Having a sister, mother, or daughter ("first-degree relative") with breast cancer places women at greater risk. Even higher, if a relative had breast cancer before age 50, and had cancer in each breast.
Age.
Your threat increases as you get older. About 77% of women identified as having breast cancer are over the age of 50, and more than 40% are over 65 years of age.
In women between the ages of 40 and 50, there is a 1 in 68 chance of getting breast cancer. From 50 to 60, it increases to one in 42. And in women 70 years and over, it is one in 26.
Genetics.
About 5% to 10% of cases of breast cancer are inherited. Carriers of changes in one of two genes, known as BRCA1 or BRCA2, are at greater risk.
Women with inherited changes in the BRCA1 gene have a 72% chance of developing breast cancer by the time they turn 80. There is a 69% chance that a woman with a congenital change in the BRCA2 gene will develop breast cancer at that age.
Solid breasts.
The female breast is made up of fatty, fibrous, and glandular tissue. More glandular and fibrous tissue, and less fat are the hallmarks of dense breasts.
A woman with dense breasts is 1.5 to 2 times more likely to develop breast cancer.
History of reproduction.
The more estrogen your body makes over time, the greater your risk.
Menstruating before age 12, starting menopause after age 55, and never having been pregnant all increase your lifetime exposure to estrogen, and your risk of breast cancer.
Radiation treatment.
If you had radiation therapy to the chest before the age of 30, treatment for cancers such as lymphoma is usually indicated.
If a family member developed ovarian cancer before age 50, your risk increases.
Nearly everyone knows someone who has this disease.
But there has been a lot of good information about breast cancer recently. Treatments are constantly evolving for the better, and experts are recognizing more than ever about methods to stop breast cancer.
These simple steps can help reduce breast cancer risk. Results may be different for each woman, but collectively, these can have a huge impact.
Be physically active
Exercise is the silver bullet for good health, and women who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of developing breast cancer. Regular exercise also helps to keep your weight in check.
Watch your weight
It's easy to ignore it, as is often said, but maintaining a healthy weight is a necessary goal for everyone.
Obesity can increase the risk of cancer, including breast cancer, particularly after menopause.
Don't smoke
Everyone knows that smoking is unhealthy. In addition to lowering quality of life, and increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and at least 15 types of cancer – including breast cancer – it also causes bad breath, bad teeth, and wrinkles. So that's the motivation for staying smoke free.
Eat Fruit, Vegetable and Avoid Alcohol
A healthy diet can help reduce breast cancer risk. Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Keep alcohol at moderate, or lower levels.
If you don't drink, don't feel like you should start. If you're drinking in moderation, there's probably no reason to stop. But, if you are drinking more, you need to cut back or stop it.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding for a full year or more will reduce the risk of breast cancer. It also has amazing health benefits for children.
Avoid Post-Menopausal Hormones
Postmenopausal hormones should not be taken long term, to prevent chronic diseases, such as osteoporosis and heart disease.
Studies show that they have a mixed effect on health, and increase the risk of some diseases, the hormones estrogen and estrogen-plus-progestin increase the threat of breast cancer.
If a woman is taking post-menopausal hormones, it should be for the shortest time possible.
The best person to discuss the risks and benefits of postmenopausal hormones is your physician.
Stay away from birth control pills, especially after you are 35 years old, or if you smoke
The birth control pill has both risks and benefits. The younger a girl is, the lower the risk. While women who use birth control pills, they will have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.
This danger dissipated quickly, after stopping the pill. Your risk of heart attack and stroke can increase when you take the pill — especially if you are a woman who smokes.
However, long-term use of birth control pills can also have important benefits, such as a decreased risk of ovarian cancer, colon cancer, and uterine cancer
If you are particularly concerned about breast cancer, avoiding birth control pills is one option to reduce your risk.
Other Important Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
There are a variety of important breast cancer risk factors that women cannot manipulate. Knowing what works for you can help you understand your dangers and do what you can to reduce them. If you feel you are at risk, discuss it with a healthcare practitioner or other fitness professional. These may make a woman's breast cancer risk greater:
- Older age, particularly 60 years or older
- Duration of first menstruation (menarche) before age 12
- Going through menopause at age 55 or older
- There are no children
- Top height (5'8" or higher)
- Family records on breast cancer
- First delivery after the age of 35
- Dense breasts
- History of benign breast disorders (such as normal hyperplasia)
Breast Examination by Medical Doctor
The same advice for self-examinations given above applies to breast exams performed by a doctor or other healthcare provider.
Your doctor also performs breast exams during your annual visits. If you have any of the signs that worry you, it's a good idea to see your doctor for a breast exam.
During the examination, the doctor will test each of your breasts for abnormal spots or signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
The medical doctor may also examine different parts of your body to see if your symptoms could be associated with another condition.
Can You Get Breast Cancer as a Male?
Breast cancer is rare in men (approximately 2,400 new cases are identified annually in the US).
Part of it is related to the often late analysis of male breast cancer, when the cancer has already spread.
Symptoms are similar to those in women, and the most common symptom is a lump or skin change in the breast tissue, or a discharge from the nipple.
Although at any age can get breast cancer, but it usually occurs in men over the age of 60 years.
Summary
Being identified with breast cancer can affect your daily life in many ways, depending on the stage and what treatment you are undergoing.
Breast cancer is an invasive tumor which forms in the mammary gland.
Breast cancer is detected through a mammogram, breast self-examination, biopsy, and special testing of breast cancer tissue.
Treatment of breast cancer may involve surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and focused therapy.
The threat of breast cancer can be reduced by managing the risk factors that can be controlled.
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