Breast cancer, a devastating disease, occurs when cells within the breast tissue divide and mutate rapidly, forming a tumor that can spread to other parts of the body. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and prevention methods is crucial.
Causes of Breast Cancer
Cancer is a complex disease that can have various causes. Several risk factors contribute to the development of breast cancer, including:
- Genetic Makeup: Some gene mutations raise the risk of breast cancer. Well-known gene mutations that increase risk are BRCA1 and BRCA2.
- Obesity: Being overweight is a major factor in the increased risk of developing breast cancer.
- Early periods: Starting your periods before age 12 can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
- Late Menopause: Women who have menopause at an older age are more likely to develop cancer.
- Hormone therapy medications: Some women take hormone therapy medications to treat menopause symptoms. Taking these medications can increase the chances of being diagnosed with cancer.
Breast Cancer Symptoms
Breast cancer symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses, but it’s important to get them checked. Here are some common symptoms to watch for:
- Lump in the breast
- Nipple retraction
- Skin irritation
- Lump in the underarm areas
- Blood discharges from the nipples
- Redness of the breast
- Itching or scaling of the nipple or skin on the breasts
Prevention of Breast Cancer
No one can guarantee that doing certain things will completely protect against cancer. However, adopting healthy lifestyle habits significantly reduces the risk. Here are some steps you can take:
- Avoid birth control pills, especially after 35
- Avoid post-menopausal hormones
- Timely screening and mammography
- Quit smoking
- Eat a nutritious diet
- Avoid alcohol
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is usually diagnosed using imaging tests, biopsies, and genetic testing. Early detection and prompt follow-up can greatly increase the chances of successful treatment and better outcomes for women. Here are some common methods used for diagnosis:
- Breast Exam: The doctor does a physical examination and looks for lumps or other abnormalities.
- Mammogram: An X-ray of the breasts. Mammogram is used to detect early signs of breast cancer.
- Breast ultrasound: It uses sound waves to produce images of the body’s structure. In other words, it determines whether a lump is a solid or a fluid-filled cyst based on its size.
- Biopsy: The doctor takes a core of tissue from the suspicious area and examines it. This is the most effective way of diagnosing breast cancer.
Treatment options for breast cancer
- Surgery: Most breast cancer patients undergo surgery to remove the tumor. The patient might undergo breast-conserving surgery, which removes normal tissue, not the breast itself, or a mastectomy, which aims to eliminate cancer.
- Chemotherapy: It is the use of drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells by killing them or stopping them from dividing further. It can be done intravenously or orally. The drugs then enter the bloodstream and reach cancer cells throughout the body.
- Hormone Therapy: It removes hormones, blocks their actions, and stops cancer cells from growing further. Some hormones can cause certain cancers to grow, so reducing the production of these hormones and blocking them from feeding the cancer is necessary.
- Targeted Therapy: This therapy uses specific drugs targeting tumor cells. They harm normal cells less than other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
- Immunotherapy: This therapy uses the patient’s immune system to fight against cancer. Substances boost and restore the body’s natural defenses against tumors.
- Radiation Therapy: It uses high-energy beams like X-rays or other radiation to kill cancer cells or slow their multiplication.
