October is not just remarked by Halloween, but it is also recognized globally as the breast cancer awareness month, due to which it is referred to as Pinktober.
Women, and men, but disproportionately women, across the globe, suffer from breast cancer. This cancer is the second most common fatal cancer, killing thousands of women annually.
Breast cancer can be both, invasive and invasive, although statistically, the former is more common in women. Unlike many other cancers, breast cancer has an effective diagnosis rate with appropriate preventions, namely self-examination, and screening.
In self-exam, you can either conduct an analysis of the surface tissue of the breast, looking for tenderness or lumps yourself or get help from an oncologist in Lahore. Screening is naturally more effective, as it uses radio imaging to ascertain the presence of a lump in the breast.
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Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer includes pain in the breasts and the region around the armpits. Many women have tenderness of the breasts due to their periods, but this pain persists despite the monthly cycle. The size and the shape of the breast also get changed due to cancer.
Similarly, this cancer also affects the skin. It causes the appearance of rash on or around the nipples. Scaling or peeling of the breast skin, or the skin on the nipples is also a sign. There might also be changes in the surface skin, as it goes from smooth to pitted. In some, it may also turn red.
Risk factors
Some of the risk factors of breast cancer are as follows:
- Age: The risk of breast cancer increases with age.
- Bearing child: Women who have their first child when they are over the age of 30 have higher propensity towards developing breast cancer. Similarly, women who do not have children also suffer from higher risk of getting breast cancer.
- Drinking alcohol: Those who often indulge in alcohol face higher chances of breast cancer.
- Gender: Women have higher chances of suffering from breast cancer.
- Genetics: Having a family or personal history of breast cancer puts one at higher risk of getting the cancer. Moreover, gene mutations can also cause cancer. Most common mutation is the change from BRCA1 and BRCA2.
- History: Those suffering from medical conditions pertaining to the breast, like LCIS, have a greater risk of breast cancer.
- Hormone therapy: Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy that involves oral intake of progesterone and estrogen have higher risk of breast cancer. However, the risk averts when these hormones are stopped as well.
- Obesity: Overweight and obese people are more likely to suffer from this cancer.
- Periods: Having periods at a younger age, or getting menopause at older age, both endanger women and increase their prospects of breast cancer.
Preventing breast cancer
There are steps that you can do to change your odds of breast cancer.
Lose weight: If you are overweight or obese, it is vital that you lose the extra pounds, and gain a lot of health.
Cut back on alcohol: Alongside many other cons of alcohol is its contribution towards breast cancer. Therefore, moderate your alcohol intake.
Screening: The best way to diagnose breast cancer early, and improve your prognosis is by getting screening mammography done. For women with a family history of breast cancer, it is recommended that they started getting a screening in their early forties.
American Cancer Society recommends getting a screening done annually for women between 45-54 years of age. For women aged 55-74, getting the exam once every two years is sufficient.
Hormonal replacement: Some women might opt for hormone replacement therapy after menopause for the management of their symptoms, however, HRT is notorious for increasing the risk of cancer.
Thus, consult the best experts via oladoc.com for alternate therapies that do not pose such grave risks.
