WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?
Cancer is a group of disease that occurs when cells become abnormal and divide without control or order. Each organ in the body is made up of various kinds of cells. Cells normally divide in an orderly fashion to produce more cells only when it is necessary. This process helps to keep the body healthy.
If cells divide when new cells are not needed, they form too much tissue. This extra tissue is called a tumour. Tumours can be benign or malignant (very dangerous or harmful in influence or effect).
The majority of breast tumours (up to 80%) are benign. Benign breast tumours are not a threat to life.
Breast cancer is a malignant tumour that develops from cells in the breast. The cancer cells grow and divide out of control, invading and damaging nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also break away from the original tumour and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system. This is how breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body. This spread of the cancer is called metastasis.
If cells divide when new cells are not needed, they form too much tissue. This extra tissue is called a tumour. Tumours can be benign or malignant (very dangerous or harmful in influence or effect).
The majority of breast tumours (up to 80%) are benign. Benign breast tumours are not a threat to life.
Breast cancer is a malignant tumour that develops from cells in the breast. The cancer cells grow and divide out of control, invading and damaging nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also break away from the original tumour and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system. This is how breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body. This spread of the cancer is called metastasis.
RISK FACTORS
Genetic
Family history has long been known to be a risk factor for breast cancer. Both maternal and paternal relatives are important. The risk is highest if the affected relative developed breast cancer at a young age, had cancer in both breasts, or if she is a close relative. First-degree relatives, (mother, sister, daughter) are most important in estimating risk. Several second-degree relatives (grandmother, aunt) with breast cancer may also increase risk. Breast cancer in a male increases the risk for all his close female relatives.
Hormonal
Hormonal influences play a role in the development of breast cancer. Women who start their periods at an early age (11 or younger) or experience a late menopause (55 or older) have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer. Conversely, being older at the time of the first menstrual period and early menopause tend to protect one from breast cancer. Having a child before age 30 years may provide some protection, and having no children may increase the risk for developing breast cancer. Oral contraceptives have not been shown to definitively increase or decrease a woman's lifetime risk of breast cancer.
Lifestyle & Dietary
Breast cancer seems to occur more frequently in countries with high dietary intake of fat, and being overweight or obese is a known risk factor for breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women. This link is thought to be an environmental influence rather than genetic. For example, Japanese women, at low risk for breast cancer while in Japan, increase their risk of developing breast cancer after coming to the United States.
The use of alcohol is also an established risk factor for the development of breast cancer. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed.
Studies are also showing that regular exercise may actually reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. Studies have not definitively established how much activity is needed for a significant reduction in risk. One study from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) showed that as little as one and a quarter to two and a half hours per week of brisk walking reduced a woman's breast cancer risk by 18%.
Environmental
Radiation treatment increases the likelihood of developing breast cancer but only after a long delay. For example, women who received radiation therapy to the upper body for treatment of Hodgkin disease before 30 years of age have a significantly higher rate of breast cancer than the general population.
Family history has long been known to be a risk factor for breast cancer. Both maternal and paternal relatives are important. The risk is highest if the affected relative developed breast cancer at a young age, had cancer in both breasts, or if she is a close relative. First-degree relatives, (mother, sister, daughter) are most important in estimating risk. Several second-degree relatives (grandmother, aunt) with breast cancer may also increase risk. Breast cancer in a male increases the risk for all his close female relatives.
Hormonal
Hormonal influences play a role in the development of breast cancer. Women who start their periods at an early age (11 or younger) or experience a late menopause (55 or older) have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer. Conversely, being older at the time of the first menstrual period and early menopause tend to protect one from breast cancer. Having a child before age 30 years may provide some protection, and having no children may increase the risk for developing breast cancer. Oral contraceptives have not been shown to definitively increase or decrease a woman's lifetime risk of breast cancer.
Lifestyle & Dietary
Breast cancer seems to occur more frequently in countries with high dietary intake of fat, and being overweight or obese is a known risk factor for breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women. This link is thought to be an environmental influence rather than genetic. For example, Japanese women, at low risk for breast cancer while in Japan, increase their risk of developing breast cancer after coming to the United States.
The use of alcohol is also an established risk factor for the development of breast cancer. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed.
Studies are also showing that regular exercise may actually reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. Studies have not definitively established how much activity is needed for a significant reduction in risk. One study from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) showed that as little as one and a quarter to two and a half hours per week of brisk walking reduced a woman's breast cancer risk by 18%.
Environmental
Radiation treatment increases the likelihood of developing breast cancer but only after a long delay. For example, women who received radiation therapy to the upper body for treatment of Hodgkin disease before 30 years of age have a significantly higher rate of breast cancer than the general population.
STAGES
Until breast cancer can be prevented, the greatest hope for its control is early detection, diagnosis and treatment. Breast cancer can be divided into 4 stages depending on the extent of disease.
Stage 1
The cancer is 2 cm or less and confined to the breast.
Stage 2
The cancer measures between 2-5 cm, or the lymph nodes (lymph glands in the armpit area) are involved, or both.
Stage 3
The cancer is larger than 5 cm in size, or has involved the skin or underlying muscle, lymph nodes are usually affected, but there has been no further spread.
Stage 4
The cancer has spread to distant sites such as the lymph nodes in the neck, lungs, liver or bones.
Stage 1
The cancer is 2 cm or less and confined to the breast.
Stage 2
The cancer measures between 2-5 cm, or the lymph nodes (lymph glands in the armpit area) are involved, or both.
Stage 3
The cancer is larger than 5 cm in size, or has involved the skin or underlying muscle, lymph nodes are usually affected, but there has been no further spread.
Stage 4
The cancer has spread to distant sites such as the lymph nodes in the neck, lungs, liver or bones.
ABOUT BREAST CHANGES
From time to time, a woman or her doctor may find breast changes, such as:
From time to time, a woman or her doctor may find breast changes, such as:
A lump
Lumpiness
Any change in the shape of the breast or dimpling of the skin
An area that feels different to the rest
Discharge from the nipple
A pulling in of the nipple (known as nipple inversion or retraction)
Pain
When they find a change, many women are concerned that it might be breast cancer, even though this will not be true in most cases. However, all experts agree that women should have any problems in their breasts carefully investigated as soon as possible. If it is a cancer, finding it early will mean a much better chance of effective treatment.
BREAST SELF EXAMINATION (BSE)
Women older than 20 years should perform monthly breast self-examinations (BSE). If you still have menstrual periods, you should perform the examination a few days after your period has ended. During this time, your breasts are not tender. If you are not menstruating (such as in menopause), BSE should be performed on the same day each month.
Techniques to perform BSE
(a)Facing a mirror
Stand before a mirror and compare both breasts for differences in size, nipple inversion (turning in), bulging, or dimpling. Note any skin or nipple changes, such as a hard knot or nipple discharge.
Inspect your breasts in the following 4 steps:
With your arms at your sides
With your arms overhead
With your hands on hips - Press firmly to flex your chest muscles.
Bent forward - Inspect your breasts.
In these positions, your pectoral muscles are contracted, and a subtle dimpling of the skin may appear if a growing tumor has affected a ligament.
(b)Lying down
Right breast -
Place a pillow under your right shoulder.
Put your right hand under your head.
Check the entire breast area with the finger pads of your left hand.
Use small circles and follow an up-and-down pattern.
Use light, medium, and firm pressure over each area of the breast.
Feel the breast with the surfaces of the second, third, and fourth fingers, moving systematically and using small, circular motions from the nipple to the outer margins.
Gently squeeze the nipple for any discharge.
Left breast -
Repeat the steps on our left breast using your right hand
(c)In the shower
A BSE can easily be performed while you're in the bath or shower. Some women discover breast masses when their skin is moist. -
Raise your right arm.
With soapy hands and fingers flat, check your right breast.
Use the same small circles and up-and-down pattern described earlier.
Repeat on the left breast.
Right breast -
Place a pillow under your right shoulder.
Put your right hand under your head.
Check the entire breast area with the finger pads of your left hand.
Use small circles and follow an up-and-down pattern.
Use light, medium, and firm pressure over each area of the breast.
Feel the breast with the surfaces of the second, third, and fourth fingers, moving systematically and using small, circular motions from the nipple to the outer margins.
Gently squeeze the nipple for any discharge.
Left breast -
Repeat the steps on our left breast using your right hand
(c)In the shower
A BSE can easily be performed while you're in the bath or shower. Some women discover breast masses when their skin is moist. -
Raise your right arm.
With soapy hands and fingers flat, check your right breast.
Use the same small circles and up-and-down pattern described earlier.
Repeat on the left breast.
Do-It-Yourself!!!
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