Early detection raises chances of successful breast cancer treatment

BREAST cancer is one of the commonest cancers affecting women. It can also occur in men but this is less common. It occurs when cells in your breast grow and divide in an uncontrolled way creating a mass of tissue called a tumour.

Signs of breast cancer can include feeling a lump in your breast, experiencing a change in the size of your breast and seeing changes to the skin on your breasts. Early detection of breast cancer improves the chances of successfully treating it.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. is monthlong annual campaign was introduced in 1985 to raise awareness of this complex disease and fund research into its causes, treatment and hopefully a cure.

Substantial support for breast cancer awareness and research funding has helped bring about advances in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Survival rates have increased. e number of deaths associated with breast cancer is steadily declining. is is mostly due to factors such as earlier detection, a new personalised approach to treatment and a better understanding of the disease.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include a breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue. Change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast. Changes in the skin over the breast, such as dimpling, are also known symptoms.

Others include peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple or breast skin and redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, similar to the skin of an orange.

Causes

Breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin to grow abnormally. What makes this happen is unknown. ese cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and continue to accumulate, forming a lump or mass. Cells may spread through your breast to your lymph nodes and to other parts of your body.

Breast cancer most often begins with cells in the milk-producing ducts. It may also begin in the glandular tissue called lobules or in other cells or tissue within the breast.

Research suggests that hormonal, lifestyle and environmental factors may increase your risk of breast cancer. It is, however, unclear why some people who have no risk factors develop this cancer, yet other people with risk factors never do.

It is likely that breast cancer is caused by a complex interaction of your genetic makeup and your environment.

If you have a strong family history of breast cancer or other cancers, your doctor may recommend a blood test to help identify specific mutations in genes that are being passed through your family.

Risk factors

Many women who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors other than simply being women. Factors that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer include increasing age. Your risk of breast cancer increases as you age.

If you have had a breast biopsy that found lobular carcinoma in situ or atypical hyperplasia of the breast, you have an increased risk of breast cancer. If you have had breast cancer in one breast, you have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other breast.

A family history of breast cancer can leave you susceptible to breast cancer. If, for example, your mother, sister or daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly at a young age, your risk of breast cancer is increased.

Radiation exposure also leaves you vulnerable. If you received radiation treatments to your chest as a child or young adult, your risk of breast cancer is increased.

Being obese, beginning your period before the age of 12, beginning menopause at an older age, having your first child at an older age or having never been pregnant all increase your risk of breast cancer.

Women who take hormone therapy medications that combine oestrogen and progesterone to treat the signs and symptoms of menopause have an increased risk of breast cancer. e risk of breast cancer decreases when they stop taking these medications.

Drinking alcohol can also increase your chances of developing breast cancer.

Prevention

Taking steps to change your daily life may help reduce your risk of breast cancer. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer as well. Since early detection of breast cancer improves the prospect of successful treatment, become familiar with your breasts by performing a breast self-examination.

If you notice any changes such as lumps or any other unusual signs in your breasts, seek professional medical advice as soon as you can. If you drink alcohol, do it in moderation.

Exercise most days of the week. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. If you have not been active for a while, consult your doctor to find out whether it is alright to start slowly.

Limit postmenopausal hormone therapy. Combination hormone therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer so use the lowest dose of hormone therapy possible for the shortest amount of time.

Maintain a healthy weight. If your weight is healthy, work to maintain that weight. If you need to lose weight, ask your doctor about healthy strategies to accomplish this. Reduce the number of calories you eat each day and slowly increase the amount of exercise.

Choose a healthy diet. Women who eat a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts may have a reduced risk of breast

cancer. e Mediterranean diet focuses mostly on plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. Peo- ple who follow the Mediterranean diet choose healthy fats such as olive oil over butter and fish instead of red meat.You should also ask your doctor or other healthcare service provider about breast cancer screening and when to begin screening and tests such as a clinical breast examination and mammogram.

e information in this article is provided as a public service by the Cimas iGo Wellness programme, which is designed to promote good health. It is provided for general information only and should not be construed as medical advice. Readers should consult their doctor or clinic on any matter related to their health or the treatment of any health problem. — igo@cimas. co.zw or WhatsApp 0772 161 829 or phone 024-2773 0663