BREAST CANCER
BREAST CANCER
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor arising from the cells of the breast.
Breast cancer is the common most invasive cancer in women and second main cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. It can occur in both men and women but it's far more common in women. Advancement in research and diagnosis of breast cancer have helped increase breast cancer survival rate.
Breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin to grow abnormally. These cells divide more than healthy cells do and accumulate and form a mass.
SYMPTOMS
- A discharge from a nipple possibly containing blood.
- An inverted nipple
- Redness of the skin of the breast
- A pain in the armpit or breast
- A change in the size or shape of the breast
RISK FACTORS
- AGE : as a woman gets older, her chances of developing breast cancer increases.
- FAMILY HISTORY : Having a close relative with breast cancer doubles your chances of getting it.
- RADIATION EXPOSURE : if you have received radiation treatment you risk of developing breast cancer increase.
- OBESITY
- MENSTRUATION : Beginning your period before age 12 increase your chances of breast cancer.
- ALCOHOL : alcohol increases your chances of breast cancer
- ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES
- EXERCISE lowers the risk of breast cancer.
- BREASTFEEDING for one and half to 2years decrease your chances of developing breast cancer.
- RACE : white women have a higher risk of developing g breast cancer.
- COSMETIC IMPLANTS
TREATMENT
SURGERY
This is the removal of tumor and some surrounding healthy tissues during operation.
There are two types of breast cancer surgery
LUMPECTOMY : this is the removal of tumor and some healthy tissue surrounding it to ensure that none of the cancerous cell is left behind.
MASTECTOMY : this is the removal of the entire breast. After this type of surgery, a reconstructive surgery( plastic surgery) is done using tissue taken from another part of the body or synthetic implant to improve the look of the breast in order to match the other breast. This can be done immediately or at a later date.
RADIATION THERAPY
This requires the use of high-energy X-rays or other particles to destroy cancer cells. It's side effects are fatigue, swelling of the breast,redness and pain in the skin.
CHEMOTHERAPY
This is the use of drugs like cytotoxic drugs to destroy cancer cells by ending the cancercell's ability to grow and divide. Side effects mate include fatigue, vomiting nausea and risk of infection.
HORMONE BLOCKING THERAPY
This treatment is used to prevent the reoccurrence of hormone- sensitive breast cancer. It can also be used before surgery to shrink rumors. Sometimes patient that do not want to undergo surgery or chemotherapy uses this and it can last for 5years. It only works on hormone-sensitive breast cancer.
BREAST CANCER RISK REDUCTION
- Breast feeding. Breastfeeding for one and half to two years reduces a woman's chances of getting breast cancer.
- Exercise
- Choose a healthy diet.
- Maintain a healthy weight:
- Become familiar with your breast through self examination l. This aids early detection of breast cancer.
- Preventive medication and surgery for a patient with breast cancer family history.
CANCER FIGHTING FOOD - Leafy green vegetables.
- Cruciferious e.g cabbage and broccoli
- Berries
- Brightly orange colored fruit like squash, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits
- Fresh herbs and spices e.g. Turmeric, ginger, garlic, thyme, basil etc
- Organic meat
- Traditional tea
- Nuts and seeds
- Unrefined oil e.g extra virgin olive oil, flax oil, coconut oil etc
The importance of self examination cannot be overemphasized. Always check your breast for any sign of breast cancer. And visit your doctor if there is a history of breast cancer in your family.
REFERENCES
https://www.medicinenet.com/breast_cancer_facts_stages/article.htm#breast_cancer_facts