Breast Cancer

Breast cancer occurs when cells within the breast tissue divide and mutate rapidly, forming a tumour that can spread to other parts of the body.

 

It is the most common type of cancer detected in women. Breast cancer doesn’t just affect women.

 

Understanding its causes, symptoms, and prevention methods is crucial.

 

Risk Factors 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. 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. These medications  increase the chances of breast cancer.
  • Dense breast tissues: Breast tissue is made up of fatty tissue and dense tissue which contains milk ducts, glands and fibrous tissues. Dense tissues make it harder to detect the presence of a tumour in a mammogram. If you fall in this category, consult and see what other tests can be done.
  • Radiation exposure: Prolonged exposure to 

 

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
• Change in the colour of the nipple, inverted nipple
• Skin irritation
• Lump in the underarm areas
• Blood or white discharges from the nipples
• Change in the colour of the skin of the breast from surrounding
• Itching or scaling of the nipple or skin on the breasts

 

Causes

The causes of breast cancer are not known. Researchers, however, have found certain things that increase the risk. These include lifestyle, certain hormonal changes and changes in the environment.

 

Still, these factors don’t always account for cancer. Researchers have till now figured out that cancer occurs when the genetic makeup of your cells – the building block of life starts changing.

 

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

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.

 

• 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. 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 for cancer.

 

Treatment options for breast cancer

• Surgery: Most 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.  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.
• 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.