Breast cancer is rising with every day passing. Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells. The breast becomes an integral part of a women’s body not just appearance but also during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is important for a woman as well as her baby. It is proven that this can prevent the risk of cancer. Removal of the breast can be emotionally challenging but surgery is important to prevent the spread of cancer. Self-examination of breasts especially after menopause is compulsory. If you see a lump or the presence of a hard mass, consult your doctor immediately. The treatment of cancer is painful and includes chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and hormonal therapy.
What is the cause of breast cancer?
The number of cases of breast cancer are increasing day by day. This creates the need of understanding the causes of breast cancer. Visit a nearby gynaecologist clinic to understand the causes of breast cancer. There are various causes of breast cancer. The main cause of breast cancer is family history. Second most important factor is age. Older the woman gets, the risk of breast cancer increases. The women in postmenopausal age are more prone to cancer. The levels of oestrogen increase the risk of cancer. Higher the levels, higher the risk. One more thing that gynaecologist specialists tell is that age is just a number in case of cancer! It’s not just the older women who are prone to cancer but women in any age are prone to cancer. It is found that the 85% cases of breast cancer occur out of the blue, which means they don’t have any family history and any other associated risk factors. The other 10% of females develop with a family history that means they have genetic mutations. Other 5% include those that have identified the gene of mutation that is BRCA gene. There are some genetic mutations that can be modified and some are unmodified. The causes include early menarche and late menopause. Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast cancer. Gynaecologists define this cancer as multifactorial. It is generally advised that to be in touch with a gynaecologist specialist after your menopause to regulate the changes better. Most cancers are hormone sensitive. They are caused by oestrogen and can be treated by chemotherapy.
What are the stages of breast cancer?
When diagnosed with breast cancer the first question you get from your family is what type of breast cancer it is and the stage.
There are five stages of breast cancer. This includes stage zero to stage four. Stage zero is precancerous whereas stage four is where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The pre-cancer cells or DCIS is a condition that might evolve in cancer. This is about 20% of cancer. DCIS is pre cancer or stage 0 cancer. This can be treated by general hormonal therapy. Stage 1 has a good look. This is an invasive type of cancer. The size of cancer is approximately less than 2cm and there is no evidence of cancer in the lymph nodes. Stage 2 is a little more advanced and threatening. The size is more than 2cm, over an inch. There could be evidence of cancer in the lymph nodes as well. The later stages of breast cancer are called stage 3 and 4. The stage 3 breast cancer shows significant increase in the size and spread to lymph nodes. Multiple lymph nodes are affected. This stage is not metastatic in nature. There is no evidence of it in the other parts of the body. Stage 4 cancer is a real threat to your life. This can spread to multiple parts of the body. The survival is better in later stages of breast cancer.
What are the types of breast cancer?
Types of cancer are different from stages and the grade. This is under what we see in a microscope. Broadly the cancer is divided into invasive and non-invasive types. The invasive type is most common. This is characterised by what we see in the microscope. The two important cells we see are invasive ductal carcinoma and this accounts for 70% of carcinoma. The second major cells are invasive lobular carcinoma. Generally they have the same threat to you and the treatment is more or less similar. The gynaecologist labels breast cancer on the basis of receptors. One is called triple negative cancer and the other is her2 positive cancer.
Treatment and prevention
Breast cancer is alarming but we can prevent it as much as possible. This includes taking simple steps and changing your lifestyle. We can do this by making simple changes in our lifestyle. The risk of breast cancer has greatly increased because of the environment, genes and lifestyle. To avoid this we need to understand our body language. It’s important to communicate well with your body to communicate well with your gynaecologist!
You should see your hereditary medical history and be extremely concerned about dietary consumptions.
Choose cosmetics wisely. You don’t know that cosmetics that you use can cause cancer. Avoid deodorants, especially in aluminium bottles. If you shave your underarms, don’t use deodorant.
Avoid sunscreen containing oestrogen and parabens which are highly reactive and harmful chemicals. They increase the risk of cancers. As far as possible use natural products.
Cook in earthenware. The food cooked in plastic products can be really harmful. Polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene discharge toxins into the food. This can easily lead to cancer slowly.
Breastfeed your child can lower the risk of cancer specially pre and post menopausal. The production of hormones can delay menopause. The increased levels of oestrogen can promote the growth of cell cancer. It is advised by gynaecologists to at least breastfeed your child for 6 months.
Maintaining a healthy weight is really important. The increase in weight is directly linked with growth of breast cancer cells. The most simple process is to check your weight on a regular basis.
Avoid packed food items, insead include healthy things like fruits and a lot of antioxidants. Include fluids in your diet like lemon juice, fruit juice and water. This will keep you hydrated and prevent overeating.
Cook your meal in healthy oils like sunflower oil, olive oil, coconut oil etc.
Beware of your genetics! Women with a family history of cancer need special care. They are more prone to cancer. If anyone has a history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer or prostate cancer, be alert. Talk to your gynaecologist about it and take proper preventive measures.
Stay active! Being physically active is the most simple and easiest way to lower the risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise can help you to maintain healthy weight. Go for a brisk walk for at least 30 mins daily.
Alcohol and tobacco are again to be blamed! Excessive consumption of both can lead to breast cancer.
General treatment of breast cancer includes chemotherapy. This is then followed by surgery. Most of the patients then undergo radiation. If still the tumour is sensitive then the patient is advised for hormonal therapy.
The chemotherapy is done mostly in patients with later stages of breast cancer. The fact is that later stages are most dangerous.
Cancer survival needs post care as well. This is required both mentally, medically and emotionally. A support system should be created around her. Easy consulting and online consultation or interactions with gynaecologists or psychologists. Patients should be surrounded by family members. Fighting cancer is a journey!
