Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the breast tissue. It happens when abnormal cells grow in the beast and form tumors. It can occur in one or both the beasts. Breast cancer is very much common in women these days. In fact, men are also getting affected by breast cancer.
Early Breast Cancer Signs
Early signs are signals that your body wants to inform you about the diseases & you should be careful at that time. Early signs of breast cancer are mentioned below
- Irritated or itchy breast
- Changes in shape or size
- A lump near breast or underarm
- Nipple discharge
- Pain in breast area
- Redness in breast area
Symptoms for Best Cancer in Females and Males
Symptoms for breast cancer in females include:
- Nipples begins to turn inward
- Visible lump in the breast or underarm
- Breast skin may get thicker
- Breast skin will look reddish
- Blood or other discharge except milk, may come out from the nipple
- You will feel pain in your breast
- Size and shape will start changing
On the other hand, breast cancer symptoms for men are
- Red or flaky skin on your nipple and chest area
- Pain in your chest or underarm
- Transparent or bloody discharge from nipple
- Nipple turn inwards
- lump in the breast tissue
Causes of Breast Cancer
Genetics: Genetic is the most common and vital reason for breast cancer. If any of your family members are diagnosed with it then there is a chance that you will also be affected by it because of genetic mutations.
Radiation exposure: If you have ever received any radiation therapy in your neck, chest or head then this increases the chance of breast cancer. Radiation therapies damage DNA in breast cells which causes abnormal cell growth and this leads to breast cancer.
Reproductive matters: Getting menstruation (periods) at an early age and delay in menopause (closing time of menstruation) or late pregnancy also increase the breast cancer risk.
Hormone replacement therapy: Hormone replacement therapy stimulate the cancer cell growth which leads to cancer in breast. Women taking this hormone replacement therapy should be aware of the pros and cons before taking it.
Breast Cancer Risk Factor and Prevention
Risk Factor
- Age
Age is a big factor in breast cancer. If you are between 40 and 60 years, you are more likely to develop breast cancer than younger women.
- Smoking & Drinking
Smoking & drinking both are injurious to health. Consuming these can lead to breast cancer.
- Lifestyle factors
Excess alcohol consumption, smoking tobacco, high fat food intake, low fiber intake and o physical activities, all of these are associated with breast cancer.
Prevention
- Keep a healthy weight
Maintaining a healthy or balanced weight is important for everyone. If your healthcare providers advise you to lose or gain weight, you should not neglect it. Easy steps can lead to a healthy or balanced weight. Being overweight increases the risk of breast cancer.
- Try to be physically active
You should always indulge in physical activities. It’s helpful to manage your body weight. Physical exercise is one of the best things to prevent so many diseases including breast cancer. Walking, running, swimming, dancing anything you can choose to stay physically active. Also, physical activities are work like a medicine to your mind.
- Stay away from smoking & alcohol
If you smoke & consume alcohol then you are adding a risk of breast cancer. Smoking or alcohol consumption should be avoided, as these are the causes of many diseases. So, try to quit these habits for your own safety.
- Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is an option to low progestin of breast cancer, if you have children. The longer you breastfeed, it will protect you from the disease. Try to consult your pediatrician to gather information about breastfeeding.
- Avoid hormone therapy for menopause
Menopausal hormonal therapy is risky. Combination hormonal therapy uses estrogen and progestin. This is risky for breast cancer.
- Eat fresh fruits & vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables are highly recommend to prevent breast cancer. Limits processed foods, sugary drinks.
Breast Cancer Treatment
The main treatment of breast cancer is surgery. Others are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy.
- Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs and it get mixed with your bloodstream. Chemotherapy reduces the tumor’s size. It slows and stops the cancer cell growth. Then it destroys the cancer cells.
- Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is a common therapy for breast cancer. It uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. The treatment destroys the remaining cancer cells after surgery.
- Hormone therapy
Hormones can stimulate or regulate your cancer cells in breast like estrogen. Hormone therapy can block these types of hormone production so that they can’t help the cancer cells to grow.
- Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is used to fight against cancer. It boosts one’s immune system and immune cells. Then they recognize cancer cells and destroy them.
Surgeries for Breast Cancer Include:
Mastectomy: Mastectomy is an entire breast removal surgery. You might need it if you are diagnosed with breast cancer. In mastectomy your surgeon will remove cancer cells along with the entire breast tissue. So that, no cancer cell stay in the body. In some cases, it is also applied to the women who have higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Lumpectomy: Lumpectomy is also a very common type of treatment for breast cancer. Where mastectomy, removes the whole breast, Lumpectomy doesn’t remove the whole breast. It basically removes the tumor and less of breast tissue with it. It helps to maintain a breast shape even after the surgery.
Breast Cancer Treatment Cost
Treatment cost of breast cancer depends upon a few factors. Those factors are –
- Hospital’s location & reputation
- Doctor’s fees regarding their knowledge & experience
- Facility cost
- Insurance coverage
- Other therapy cost
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
- What is breast cancer?
Answer: Breast cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in breast tissue.
- Can family history lead to breast cancer?
Answer: Yes, family history can lead to breast cancer.
- What are symptoms of breast cancer?
Answer: Lumps, size or shape change, nipple discharge, redness, pain these are the symptoms.
- Can daily exercise reduce the risk of breast cancer?
Answer: Yes, daily exercise can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
- What are the treatments of breast cancer?
Answer: The treatment of breast cancer include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy.