Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. Breast cancer begins when there is uncontrollable growth of cells in the breast. Gradually these cells develop and forms tumor and can be felt as lump when touched or can be seen in X-r ay reports.
Breast Cancer usually develops in a small or constricted area in or around the gland where milk produces. In most cases, it is seen women has more chances to get this cancer type but there is a chance for men also can get Breast Cancer.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer:
- A change in your breast’s size, shape, or curve
- A mass or lump even if it feels very small
- Changes in the shape or position of your nipple
- Change in the shape or size of the breast
- Redness or rash around the nipple
- Nipple discharge could be watery or in form of blood
- Inverted or sunken nipple
Risk Factors Of Breast Cancer
Alcohol consumption
Consuming alcohol is one of reason of developing cancer in breast. As per studies, drinking more than 3 drinks in a day can increase the higher chance of developing cancer germs.
Physical Inactivity
The less you will be active in your daily routine the more will be the chance of you to get. It is suggested to do at least 30 minutes of exercise, in any form, a day.
Over weight
If your weight is not healthy and it is overweight there you need to take proper care of that.
Reproductive History
If you do not have any child or you had baby after 30.
Taking Hormones
Your chances go for if you go for hormones replacement therapy.
Being Female
And most importantly, if you are a woman, the chances will be higher of having breast cancer.
Treatment of Breast Cancer
There are various treatment techniques of Breast Cancer. We have to go through proper checkup and doctor’s suggestions then your cancer care team will be giving cancer treatment options t you and also they will discuss the time, procedure and advantages of the particular treatment.
These are treatment option for breast cancer:
1. Surgery: If surgery is required, choice will be depending on the tests and the individuals. Types of surgery are:
a) Lumpectomy: It’s a method of surgery in which tumor and other abnormal tissue around the affected area is removed. It is also known as breast conserving surgery. This can be helpful when cancer is diagnosed in early stage.
b) Mastectomy: when Lumpectomy could help to cure it, then there is an another technique in which complete breast would be removed by surgery, that is called Mastectomy. There are so many types of Mastectomy based upon which how much area cancer germs has affected, surgery is done.
2. Radiation Therapy: Radiation Therapy is given after surgery to reduce the risk of getting affected again by the cancer in breast and also helps to live long life.
3. Chemotherapy: In this process, anti-cancer drug is injected into the vein or can be taken oral. Chemo can be used for advanced breast cancer treatment whose cancer has spread outside the breast and underarm area. The duration of treatment is depends upon the tolerance of the patient and how well it is working.
4. Hormone Therapy: Usually this Therapy is given after the surgery to lower the risk of getting cancer again. Hormone therapy is a form of systemic therapy; it reaches cancer cells almost anywhere in the body and not just in the breast or affected area. It is suggested for those women who has hormone receptor-positive (ER-positive and/or PR-positive) breast cancers, and it does not help the women whose tumors are hormone receptor-negative (both ER- and PR-negative).
How to lower the Risk of Breast cancer:
- Exercise daily at least 30 minutes a day
- Watch your weight on a regular basis
- Avoid taking alcohol or limit it
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid unnecessary hormone replacement
- Eat healthy food and include fruits in your diet
- Drink green tea a day
- Manage stress level
- Be aware of the products you use
Encouraging wellness and prevention helps improve quality of life and can lower costs, too. I saw too many patients who had poor health because of their decisions, but too often, all they needed was a doctor to help point them in the right direction.
-Charles Boustany
