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CANCER AND BREAST

BREAST CANCER OVERVIEW

Breast Cancer, a condition of abnormal cell growth is the second most common cause of death in developing countries. Breast cancer can occur in both genders. but it’s far more common in women.

Causes Of Breast Cancer: How Did This Happen?

It’s natural to wonder what may have caused the disease, when you’re told that you have breast cancer. But no one knows the causes of breast cancer. Doctors can somehow figure out why one woman develops breast cancer and the other doesn’t. What science know is that breast cancer is always caused by damage to a cell’s DNA.

SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER

    1.)   Breast pain (Mastalgia)   

    2.)   Nipple Discharge

 WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR BREAST CANCER?

Any woman may develop breast cancer. However, the following risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing the disease.

Risk factors that cannot be changed:

•  Gender, is one of the important risk factors: Breast cancer occurs nearly 100 times more often in women than in men.
•  Race or ethnicity. It has been found that white women develop breast cancer slightly more often than African-American women.
•  Aging. Two out of every 3 women are diagnosed after age 55 with invasive cancer.
• Personal history of breast cancer
  
   Previous breast irradiation
  
•  Family history and genetic factors. Having a close relative, such as your mother or sister, with breast cancer increases the risk for you.
•  Benign breast disease. Women with certain benign breast conditions, have an overall increased risk of breast cancer.
•  Dense breast tissue. Older women with high dense breast tissue are also at increased risk.
•  Diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure. Women who take this drug while being pregnant (to lower the chance of miscarriage) are at higher risk.
•  Early menstrual periods. Beginning of periods before age 12, have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer.
•  Late menopause. Women who undergo menopause later in life (after age 55) are at a slightly higher risk.

 The most frequently cited lifestyle-related risk factors:

•  Not having children at all or having your first child after age 30
• Regular use of oral contraceptives
• Any sort of  Physical inactivity
• Alcohol use ( >1 drink per day)
• Long-term, postmenopausal use of combined estrogen and progestin (HRT)*
• Weight gain and obesity, especially after menopause

 Environmental risk factor

•   Exposure to chemicals, pesticides is currently being examined as a possible risk factor.

If your healthcare provider suspects that you might have breast cancer, you will need to undergo certain diagnostic exams and tests to be sure. Breast cancer diagnosis starts with your healthcare professional asking you certain questions; about your health history, your symptoms, risk factors, and family history of disease. Your healthcare provider will give you a physical examination, including an exam of your breasts.

What tests might I need?

You may have to opt for one or more of the following tests:

• Mammogram
• Ultrasound
• Breast MRI
• Biopsy
• Nipple discharge exam

SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH BREAST CANCER

If any friend or your family member has been diagnosed with breast cancer, there are a number of things you can do to help or support them.

1. Practical support

Things you might offer to help with include:

cleaning and vacuuming
clothes washing and ironing
gardening
cooking meals for freezing
transport to and from hospital appointments
taking children to or from school
babysitting

2. Emotional support

Listening to the patient about how they’re feeling can sometimes be distressing or difficult, but it might be really helpful to them to express how they’re feeling.

3. Support for you

Supporting a friend or your relative can be very demanding and upsetting. You need to look after yourself, to be  able to continue to support your friend or relative.

Here are 11 suggestions one can use for coping with a cancer diagnosis.

Consider asking:

1. What kind of cancer do I have?
2. Where is the cancer?
   Has it spread?
3. Can my cancer be treated?
4. How much is the chance that my cancer can be cured?
5. What other tests or procedures do I need?
6. What are my treatment options?
7. How will the treatment benefit me?
8. What can I expect during treatment?
9. What are the side effects of the treatment?
10. When should I call the doctor?
11. What can I do to prevent my cancer from reappearing?
12. How likely are my children or other family members to suffer from it ?

1. Improving the quality of life for those suffering as well as their families.
2. Customisable care so that your loved ones needs are matched to the right caregiver skill set.