BREAST CANCER; WHAT YOU MUST KNOW

Breast cancer is the presence of abnormal, destructive, invasive and multiplying cells in the breast.
These cells could also travel out of the breast to other organs like liver, lungs and bones via blood vessels and lymphatic drainage.
Breast tumors are generally divided into two; benign tumor and malignant tumor are called cancer.
Benign tumors are generally not invasive and destructive but unfortunately they can become malignant if not detect early.
The purpose of this article to tell you how you can prevent cancer and how you detect it early enough, because early detection reduces the number of death related cancer of breast.

The actual cause of cancer still remains unknown but the risk factors were already identified.

The risk factors are divided in two broad groups;

NON MODIFIABLE FACTORS

Age

Family history; this is hereditary factor, some genes BRCA1&2 are known to be associated with cancer of breast. So if there is anybody that have cancer from first degree family members, you have higher risk of having it than the general population.

Menarche; age of first menses, if less than 12 years

Menopause; age of last menses, if too late

Cancer affecting other parts of the body.

Sex; more common in woman, but men can also have breast cancer.

MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS

Diet; food that contain too much fat has been associated with breast cancer.

Alcohol

Drugs; estrogen containing like contraceptive pills, hormonal replacement therapy, drug containing rauwolfia compounds and thyroid hormones containing drugs.

Smoking

Null parity; woman that have given birth before, this could either be modifiable or non modifiable.

Late primigravida; age of your first pregnancy and breast feeding habit could contribute to you having breast cancer. Getting married and having baby early help. Women that refused to breast their baby in the first six month stand higher risk.

Try as much as possible to avoid the modifiable risk factors and if you are involved with them please stop.

HOW I CAN DETECT BREAST LUMP OR CANCER EARLY AND AVOID DEATH RELATED BREAST CANCER.

You have to obey the principle of ‘LOOK AND TOUCH‘

Every morning stand in front of your mirror and observe;

SIZE, SHAPE AND SKIN COLOR OF YOUR BREAST; Check if both breasts are bilaterally symmetrical. See if there are any changes in skin color.

DIMPLING, ULCERATION, NIPPLE DISCHARGE OR RETRACTION; Look for any of these and ensure they are not present.

Then use your right hand to gently examine your left breast looking presence of lump and try to elicit if there is any tenderness. You can also express the nipple to see if there is any discharge. Repeat the same thing for the other breast using the opposing hand.

If you notice any lump or abnormalities you have to see your doctor for the next line of management.