October is breast cancer awareness month. This time around, emphasis may have shifted a bit because of the events that rocked the country this month. However, it is important that women and teenage girls are more aware of their bodies so that they can prevent breast cancer. Many women have died because they ignored minor signs and changes in their breasts. Though rare in men, they can also suffer from breast cancer.
What is Breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops from breast tissue. There are many types of breast cancer and they include non-invasive, invasive, recurrent, and metastatic breast cancers, as well as the intrinsic or molecular subtypes of breast cancer. It is a medical issue that affects women mostly. It is an epidemic that has become a global phenomenon. It is the second main cause of death amongst women.
What causes Breast cancer?
The causes of breast cancer are not yet fully known. However, a number of risk factors have been talked about. The risk of getting breast cancer increases with age. Several studies have shown that approximately 7% of women with breast cancers are diagnosed before the age of 40 years. Although, women in other age ranges might be at risk of the rampant age range for breast cancer is 35 to 45 years.
Signs you may have breast cancer
These include:
1. Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no distinct lump is felt)
2. Skin irritation or dimpling (sometimes looking like an orange peel)
3. Breast or nipple pain
4. Nipple retraction (turning inward)
5. Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
6. Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)
7. A swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone
Prevention of breast cancer
There are no hard and fast rules to prevent breast cancer. But there are certain habits you can adopt to lower your risk of having the disease and these include:
1. Eat healthy
2. Exercise
3. Stop alcohol intake
Step 1
Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. If you see any of the following changes, please consult your doctor.
Step 2
While you’re at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).
Step 3
Feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter.
Step 4
Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet , so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements.
Early detection is the key to getting over breast cancer. If you check your breast regularly and find any abnormal changes, tell a medical doctor immediately.
Here are 9 facts about breast cancer
1. Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US and the first leading cause of cancer death among women globally.
2. One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
2. Almost every two minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.
4. Every minute, somewhere in the world, a woman dies from breast cancer. That’s more than 1,400 women every day.
5. Obesity is a known risk factor for breast cancer. That’s because estrogen is carried in fat cells. The more fat cells that are present, the more estrogen is in the body.
6. Women who get regularly screened for breast cancer have a 47% lower risk of dying from the disease compared to those who don’t.
7. Breast cancer might not cause a lump, especially when it first develops.
8. Women with cancer in one breast have a 3- to 4-fold increased risk of developing new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast.