Many years ago, I read the autobiography of seven times Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. That was my first experience of reading about cancer. Not just cancer, reading about what he went through was gut-wrenching.
Since then, whenever I come across someone going through cancer treatment or has recovered takes me back to that book and the same feelings appear. Given that I write for all Mummas, I wanted to discuss breast cancer and how you can be vigilant to detect it early and seek treatment before it’s too late.
Causes of Breast Cancer
In layman’s language, out of those innumerable cells in our body, some become faulty and mutate. Those defective cells replicate defying our immune system and form the tumour, i.e. cancer. Some types of cancers are caused by the way one leads his/her life, also called lifestyle choices. Whereas, there are some forms that are hereditary like breast cancer.
About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a tumour that forms in the muscle tissues of the breasts. Although it majorly impacts women, men are also likely to get breast cancer.
Causes of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is mainly hereditary. If someone on the mother’s side or the mother has/had it, then there are chances that it might get passed on to the women in the next generation. However, it’s not necessary one will surely get it. There are now tests done to investigate it.
About 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary, meaning that they result directly from gene changes (mutations) passed on from a parent. BRCA1 and BRCA2: The most common cause of hereditary breast cancer is an inherited mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.
However, Lifestyle changes are shown to be important in the prevention of breast cancer. Diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, and vitamin and mineral use are key factors influencing the risk of breast cancer among women.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
- Constant soreness in nipples
- Swollen or inverted nipples
- Discharge from nipples
- Lumps around the breast area or in the underarm area
- Flaky, peeling, or crusting presence of skin around the nipple area
- Sudden changes in the shape, appearance, or size of your breast
- Thickening of skin tissues around the breast which can lead to the formation of a lump
- Redness or presence of rough pigmented skin over the breast
- Flaky, peeling, or crusting presence of skin around the nipple area
- A new growth of an inverted nipple
Also Read
How to Protect Your Skin and Hair from Harmful Effects of Chlorinated Tap Water?
Combination and Sensitive Skincare Routine Products for Your 30s
Life With A Toddler – A Mother’s Guide to ‘Winging It’
Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Medically, “biopsy” is the process for the diagnosis of cancer. As a method of early detection, breast self-examination is a technique used for examining the breast tissue for any physical or visual changes.
Treatment and Care for Cancer – Close The Care Gap
Cancer can form anywhere in the body. If not diagnosed or treated timely, it may lead to serious consequences. Cancer not only affects the person who is going through it but also the people around him/her. The family and friends are equally impacted. It’s tough to see your loved ones suffering.
Alongwith the treatment and care, a cancer patient and his/her family also need guidance. Caring for cancer patients also means lending them an ear, listening to them, helping them in their transport and movement, and assisting them in their everyday chores.
What Can be Done to Prevent Breast Cancer?
- Maintain a healthy weight: Regular exercising and keeping a healthy weight can help lower your breast cancer risk. Keep a healthy weight. Exercise regularly.
- Limiting alcohol consumption: Alcohol consumption has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Women who consume alcohol more regularly, have an increased incidence of breast cancer.
- Early detection is the key: Early detection and treatment is still the best strategy for a better cancer outcome. One of the best ways to prevent breast cancer is by getting regular screening tests from time to time while adhering to a healthy lifestyle.
- Have a medical check-up and mammogram regularly: Talk to your doctor about when you should have your first mammogram. Women ages 45 to 54 should have a mammogram each year, and those 55 years and over should continue getting mammograms every 1 to 2 years.
- Breastfeeding: When a woman is breastfeeding, she experiences hormonal changes that can lead to delay the return of her menstrual periods. As a result, the lifetime exposure to hormones such as estrogen is substantially reduced, which are linked to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers. The longer a woman breastfeeds, the greater the protective effect.
- Check yourself regularly: Regular self examining is an important way to find breast cancer in its early stage. If you feel any change, then consult the doctor.
Bottom Line
Breast cancer affects women both in the developed and the developing world. It can occur at any age but, it is most common in women above the age of 40 years. In India, Breast Cancer accounts for 25% to 31% of all cancers in women. The average age of developing breast cancer has also undergone a significant shift from 50 – 70 years to 30 – 50 years.
Like it? Share it!
