WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. Cancer starts when cells begin to grow out of control. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body.
The disease occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get it too.
BREAST CANCER FACTS
- In the world Breast cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in the world
- Most common diagnosed cancer in women
- Second leading cause of death among women
- On average, every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and 1 woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes
- Incidence increases with age
- All women are at risk
- Death rates are declining with early detection and increased awareness
CAUSES OF BREAST CANCER
No one knows the exact causes of breast cancer. But what we do know is that breast cancer is always caused by damage to a cell’s DNA. Breast cancer risk may be lowered by managing controllable risk factors.
Genetic Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
- Gender: Breast cancer occurs nearly 100 times more often in women than in men.
- Race: more common in whites
- Age: increases as a woman gets older.
- Family History and Genetic Factors: If your mother, sister, father or child has been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, you have a higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in the future.
- Personal Health History: If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast, you have an increased risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in the other breast in the future
- Menstrual and Reproductive History: Early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after 55),
- Childbirth: having your first child at an older age, or never having given birth can also increase your risk for breast cancer.
- Hormones: estrogens in Hormone replacement therapy & Birth control pills
- Genetics: certain conditions that are inherited
Environmental And Lifestyle Risk Factors For Breast Cancer
- Lack of Physical Activity: A sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity can increase your risk for breast cancer.
Stress - Poor Diet: A diet high in saturated fat and lacking fruits and vegetables can increase your risk for breast cancer.
- Radiation Exposure
- Being Overweight or Obese: Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for breast cancer.
- Drinking Alcohol
- Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
60-70% of people with breast cancer have no connection to these risk factors at all, and other people with risk factors will never develop cancer.
BREAST CANCER: PREVENTION
Breast cancer is detected via mammograms, breast self-examination (BSE), biopsy, and specialized testing on breast cancer tissue
The Power of prevention of breast cancer includes some lifestyle modifications, such as:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Staying physically active
- Eating fruits and vegetables
- No smoking
- Alcohol consumption in limits
