Breast cancer is rapidly evolving across the world. It is seen mostly in women and may also be seen in men. Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the breast tissue rapidly grow, these cells combine to form a tumor, and that tumor is called a lump, it develops from the lining of milk ducts & lobules that supply ducts with milk. It can occur both in men and women but is rarely seen in men.
What causes breast cancer?
The exact cause of breast cancer is left unknown but a few common causes include:
GENETICS:
If anyone from your family history has breast cancer such as your grandparents, your parents, or anyone from your blood relation then you have a high risk of developing cancer. Genetic mutations such as BRCA 1 & BRCA 2 play an important role in developing breast cancer.
HORMONAL IMBALANCE:
If you are someone who has had higher levels of estrogen for a long period due to the hormonal imbalances in your body that might be a reason for developing breast cancer.PCOS and thyroid can also be a reason for hormonal imbalance.
WEIGHT GAIN:
When you become obese due to weight gain it may result in a higher level of estrogen in the body which helps the growth of cancer-promoting cells.
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION:
Smoking and drinking can elevate cancer cells, the chemicals in tobacco affect the estrogen levels in the body which increases the risk of cancer, drinking alcohol can lead to receptor-positive cancer which is also related to the increased levels of estrogen which causes breast cancer.
EXPOSURE TO CHEMICALS:
Chemical inhalation due to pollution or exposure in any industrial area increases the risk of developing breast cancer. Chemicals such as organochlorines and amines play an important role in developing breast cancer.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES:
The lifestyle changes include your eating habits, sleep schedule, weight management, etc. So you need to maintain a healthy diet, limit the use of alcohol and tobacco, include protein-rich food in your diet, and exercise regularly. By maintaining a proper healthy lifestyle you can reduce the risk of cancer.
What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?
Symptoms of breast cancer include:
1)A lump may be seen on the breast, nipple, or underarm(anywhere on or surrounding breast area) The lump size varies from person to person which may be between 2-5cm.
2)Thickening of breast/underarm: Thickening occurs when the cancer cells grow enormously in the breast or underarm area.
3) Changes in breast size, shape, and appearance might also be a symptom of breast cancer.
4)Inverted nipple or nipple discharge is also one of the symptoms of cancer.
5)Dippling(as on orange peel)or redness of the skin is also a symptom of breast cancer.
Step-by-step treatment procedures available for breast cancer:
If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above try to visit a doctor soon after you self-diagnose the disease, then the doctor will examine your condition followed by a few tests, and start the treatment. A few common tests in the treatment procedure include:
1)Imaging tests:
There are different types of imaging tests for breast cancer which include mammograms, MRI, ultrasound biopsy, etc. A mammogram should be preferred for women whose age is above 35 and has a family history of breast cancer.
2)Surgery:
If you have breast cancer then surgery is done to remove the lump with the cancer cells. Surgery is done based on the stage of cancer in your breast it involves the total removal of the cancer lump from the breast preventing further spread of cancer to other parts of the body.
3)Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy is done for people with breast cancer as it helps suppress the cancer cells' growth to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body. It is a high dose or a highly concentrated drug usage destroys the cancer cells also after chemotherapy patients can be affected by hair loss, nausea, and fatigue due to the high dosage.
4)Radiation therapy:
Radiation therapy is done using high radiation energy beams to destroy the cancer cells totally and prevent the chance of reoccurrence. It involves damaging the DNA inside targeted cells preventing them from multiplying rapidly. It may be done externally using any devices or internally by placing radioactive materials into the tumor in the breast. Radiation therapy may also lead to skin changes, damaging the healthy tissues.
The above are the most common treatment options available worldwide. Following this, the patient can also have immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, and targeted therapy based on the health condition. Breast cancer has a high chance of spreading to other parts of the body such as the brain, bones, lungs, and liver so you need to be very careful while treatment so choose a perfect doctor and hospital for your treatment.
Preventive measures for breast cancer:
1)Avoid the overuse of chemical-based cosmetics, deodorants, hair dyes, and nail polish as they contain harsh chemicals that increase the risk of cancer.
2)Try to use organic products by avoiding the products containing estrogen or the products available in aluminum cans.
3)Avoid the use of nonstick pans as the chemicals released from them while cooking are harmful to your health, try to use iron containers which are healthy and safe as well.
4)Try to breastfeed your baby for at least 6 months which is a very important step to avoid the risk of getting breast cancer.
5)People should maintain their weight, exercise regularly, be far from smoking & drinking, and follow a healthy diet as recommended by your dietitian (iron-rich food such as spinach, dry apricots, raisins, beans, chickpeas, etc. You can also have vitamin-C-containing foods such as tomatoes, orange which help in removing excess toxins from your body. Eat sprouts regularly, and have a spoonful of flaxseeds mostly recommended ).
6)Try to avoid raw foods as they may contain harmful bacteria and increase the risk of cancer.
Breast cancer is evolving rapidly around the world, it may lead to death if not diagnosed early or if not treated under an accurate process. So soon after you are diagnosed with cancer get yourself treated and have a healthy and happy life.
