Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the #2 cancer in the US, and strikes men as well as women. Although we speak generically about breast cancer, there are many different forms of this wide-spread disease.
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) is the presence of abnormal cells in the milk ducts of the breast. It is the earliest form of breast cancer and is seldom invasive. Because it rarely has symptoms, the usual informant is a mammogram. Doctors haven’t concluded the cause of DCIS; however, they have found increased risk factors. Some of these include:
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Menstrual cycles starting before age 12
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Menopause beginning late, specifically after age 55
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Never having children
Because DCIS is non-invasive, there is little concern if it is found.
Two rare forms of breast cancer are sometimes found: inflammatory breast cancer and lobular carcinoma. Lobular carcinoma is caused by mutations in the breast tissue, and can spread to other parts of the body. Inflammatory breast cancer causes painful redness; it is sometimes confused with an infection. Although both of these are rare, the best defense is early detection through regular mammograms.
Metastatic breast cancer is yet another form of cancer. This is referred to as cancer that has started in the breast and spread to other organs, such as the lungs, liver, brain, or bones. 20-30% of women are diagnosed with early stage cancer; after diagnosis, it spreads. But, 6-10% of women are diagnosed with stage IV cancer, the highest stage recognized.
When cancer spreads to other organs, it develops more tumors by travelling through the lymph nodes and entering the lymphatic system. Metastatic breast cancer can also start long after you’ve finished treatment for early stage cancer; this is called distant recurrence.
1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.--National Breast Cancer Foundation
Microwaves, cell phones, and deodorant have been blamed for causing breast cancer; however, that’s not true. Genetic factors such as age, race, and family history are the primary factors for breast cancer. Caucasian women are the most prone to developing breast cancer; this is one disease that being a minority does not increase your risk. Other factors which are controllable, environmental factors, include alcohol consumption, obesity, and a poor diet.
64% of breast cancers are diagnosed at the localized stage--National Breast Cancer Foundation
Nearly 300,000 women will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and over 40,000 will die of this disease. Therefore, it is vital to detect any changes in your breast tissue early. Although men aren’t as likely to get breast cancer, more than 2000 men every year will get diagnosed with some form of breast cancer. It strikes more Americans than any other form of cancer, except skin cancer, and is still largely misunderstood. It is the most widespread cancer worldwide for women, and affects women at all levels of the spectrum of modernization.
Living with breast cancer can vary from little disruption to major disruption and side effects. Some women choose to have cancerous tumors that are small and slow-spreading removed, yet others battle cancer with multiple rounds of chemotherapy, aggressive drugs, and other treatments.
Chemotherapy, a common form of treatment among cancer patients, kills fast-growing cells of cancer. While attacking the cancer, chemotherapy also has the potential to damage the kidneys, bladder, lungs, and nervous system. Hair follicles, the reproductive tract, and the digestive tract are commonly affected. Patients being treated with chemotherapy often have trouble eating and digesting food; this is due to an attack on the digestive system.
The severity of the side effects of chemotherapy vary from minor to severe. It’s important to weigh the advantages of chemotherapy against the disadvantages of cancer.
Adjuvant treatments, or secondary treatments used to kill any remaining cancer cells after the primary form of treatment is chosen, can include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone replacement therapy.
Cancer can be aggressive, requiring immediate treatment, or it can be small and slow-moving. For slow-moving cancers, there may be few warning signs and few side effects. Sometimes it can easily be removed, and the patient can continue on with little disruption except a short time off for surgery and recovery.
If the cancer is aggressive, doctors often recommend several rounds of chemotherapy to stop the spread. And, in this case the patient can suffer side effects, including vomiting, nausea, lethargy, depression, and acute tiredness.
Fortunately, modern medicine has given us options so that few die of breast cancer. However, the treatments are not pleasant, and can have unwanted side effects.
Symptoms can be visible or sometimes hard to identify. Although there are a multitude of symptoms, women typically see one of five.
A lump in the breast is the most commonly thought of. Yet, it can also be misleading. Breast tissue can have lumps and knots from irregularities in the tissue without it signifying cancer or other alarming health issues. And, by the time a lump is felt, it can be a large tumor. A mammogram is the best course of action to determine whether a lump should be worrisome.
Changes in the skin’s texture or inflammation around the breast can be a sign to draw concern. Again, changes in the skin’s texture doesn’t validate breast cancer. The changes can also be due to eczema or other skin irritations which could be eased with an over-the-counter cream.
Discharge in the nipples, unless you are breastfeeding, can signify breast cancer, side effects of birth control pills, a breast infection, or other medical condition. Most discharge in the breast is non-cancerous, fortunately.
Oftentimes swollen lymph nodes can cause alarm. When a lymph node swells under the armpit, it can signify the need for a mammogram in the breast on the side with the swelling. However, as with other symptoms, swollen lymph nodes can indicate an infection or other medical issue that isn’t cancerous.
Breast cancer can also create a tingling or burning sensation in the breasts that women describe as “pain”. Typically pain isn’t associated with cancer in the breast. Yet, the tingling or burning sensation isn’t a sign to ignore.
From the most common signs of breast cancer, we can see that these signs can also warn us of numerous other conditions which may or may not require treatment. However, seeking a professional evaluation is recommended.
What can cause breast cancer?
1 in 8 women in the U.S. are prone to battling breast cancer. And, there are some risk factors we can control to lessen our chances. Obesity, consumption of alcohol, oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, and a lack of exercise are a few contributors to breast cancer. Age and genetics are factors beyond our control, however.
Living with breast cancer can affect your emotional and physical health, and add additional stress to your family members. As a woman is battling breast cancer, she can become moody, depressed, or angry. And, the treatments have side effects for most people, too. Therefore, the contributing factors are easier to control than living with the disease.
There are both holistic and medical treatments for breast cancer. Surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy are a few traditional treatments using Western medicine. Those who wish to pursue a holistic approach to treatment have used cleanses and copious amounts of beet juice.
If you suspect any changes in your breasts that concern you, the best course of action is to schedule an exam and seek professional advice before becoming anxious and alarmed.
Studies show that Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. As cancer continues to grow worldwide the emotional strain on individuals, families and communities, will continue to overwhelm the health care system. The financial burden that cancer causes also plays a significant factor on how some individuals reach out for help. This is significant in low-and middle-income communities.
According, to the World Health Organization between 30% and 50% of cancer deaths could be prevented by modifying or avoiding key risk factors and implementing existing evidence-based prevention strategies
Some risk factors to avoid that can help prevent cancer:
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Avoid any and all tobacco use, including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco mechanisms such as e-cigarettes
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Create a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly
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Maintain a healthy diet
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Limit the amount of exposure to direct sun and UV radiation
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Seek medical attention if you suspect any irregular changes in your body. Remember you know your body best
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Keep track of any irregular changes, share with your doctor.
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