Breast Cancer: A General Swot Up - SGT University

Breast cancer as the name suggests is cancer in the cells of the breast. Breast cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in women after skin cancer, worldwide. Breast cancer can occur both in men and women, but women are more affected.

Many initiatives in being made in making people aware of this ailment and research funding have helped create advances in this direction. The mortality rate related to this disease is declining and survival rates are increasing due to several reasons such as early detection, the personalized approach and a better understanding of the disease.

Let’s do a quick swot up in the subject:-

Types

1.    Angiosarcoma

2.    Ductal carcinoma in situ

3.    Inflammatory breast  cancer

4.    Invasive lobular carcinoma

5.    Lobular carcinoma in situ(LCIS)

6.    Male breast cancer

7.    Paget’s disease of the breast

8.    Recurrent breast cancer

Symptoms

·         A breast lump or thickening that seems distinct from other surrounding tissue

·         There is a change in the size, appearance or shape of the breast.

·         Changes occur in the skin over the breast.

·         A new nipple that is inverted.

·         Peeling, crusting, scaling or flaking of the pigmented area of the skin around the nipple. (areola)

·         Redness of the skin just above the breast

Causes

Physicians estimate that 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are linked to gene mutation which is passed through generations. Inheritance of mutated genes can increase the likelihood of breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the best-known breast cancer gene. These two genes increase the risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.

This makes it evident that the doctor may recommend a blood test in case an individual has a family history of breast cancer.

Factors that may increase the risk

1.    If one is a female then there is an increase in the rate of having cancer.

2.    Increasing age is another factor. As one ages, the chances of having breast cancer increase.

3.    If there’s a family history of breast cancer than chances of inheriting it are strong.

4.    Radiation exposure increases risk factors. In case one has radiation exposure as a child, the risk of having this ailment increases.

5.    Obesity increases the risk factors.

6.    Having a child at an older age, say post 30 years puts the woman at risk.

7.    Women who have never been pregnant have a greater risk of breast cancer.

8.    Post-menopausal hormone therapy is another factor.

9.    Drinking alcohol puts you at risk of having the disease.

Here are some precautions that need to be followed to combat the ailment

1.    See a doctor and ask for an examination.

2.    Self-examination of a breast is an important factor. If there are new signs or lumps than do consult the doctor.

3.    One should drink alcohol in right and moderate amounts.

4.    One should be precautious while taking post-menopausal hormone therapy. The lowest dose of hormone therapy should be taken for a short period of time.

5.    Manage and control your weight.

6.    A healthy diet should be followed. For example, choosing healthy fats such as olive oil over butter is a healthy choice.

7.    Preventive medication can help avert the conditions leading to breast cancer.

8.    If suffering from the disease, preventive surgery can help.

The bottom line

Knowledge of the disease, timely analysis and consulting a doctor helps one fight against the ailment.  Prevention was after all, always better than cure. Breast cancer can be combatted with prudence and the right approach.

SGT medical college, one of the best medical colleges in Delhi NCR region offers cutting edge breast cancer treatment by doctors who are a master in their subject matter. The diagnosis and treatment are done under the surveillance of experts.