Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women; it affects the female population worldwide and is responsible for over 40,000 deaths in the US. Although many people may not know that breast cancer can be prevented, there are some ways to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. Let’s discuss some of these ways. When it comes to breast cancer, there are many things we can do to prevent it from happening to our loved ones in the future or us.
One of the biggest causes of breast cancer is genetics. However, some preventable lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of breast cancer. In this blog post, we’ll look at six different ways you can keep breast cancer at bay. And when you’re done reading this, you’ll have a better understanding of what you can do to prevent breast cancer from occurring in the future.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. It has been increasing by as much as 2% each year. In 2018 alone, breast cancer will claim the lives of nearly 40,000 women. Many of these deaths could be prevented through lifestyle changes that include exercise and diet. Here is some information on six simple, practical changes you can make to prevent breast cancer.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that affects the breast tissue. Breast cancer is prevalent cancer among women. Around 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer can occur in women of any age. Breast cancer starts with a small lump in the breast or on the chest wall, usually found by self-examination. The lump may be painless or painful. It can cause tenderness, swelling, or redness if it’s sad. Early detection is key. Once a node is detected, it should be evaluated by a doctor.
Types of breast cancer
Breast cancer can be categorized into three types:
In situ: this is when the cells remain inside the milk glands. These types of tumors are usually treated by removing the gland itself.
Invasive: this is when the tumor has spread to the surrounding tissue. There are two main categories of invasive breast cancer; this includes ductal and lobular carcinoma.
Preinvasive: this is when the cells are still dividing and forming new tissue. These are generally treated by removing the whole area where the tumor originated.
Early detection of breast cancer
If you are looking for a breast self-exam, you may be surprised at how much you can learn from your own body. It is good to perform a self-exam once every month to look for any early warning signs of breast cancer. However, what you are looking for is not necessarily a lump or a change in your skin. Instead, it would help if you looked for any signs of abnormal bleeding, discharge, thickening, or pain. This should be done by yourself, and you should talk to your doctor if you are unsure of any of the symptoms.
Breast cancer symptoms
While many women think that breast cancer only affects older women, it is the most common form of cancer in young women. Some common symptoms include changes in breast size or shape, a lump or thickening, skin irritation, nipple discharge, or bloody or foul-smelling vaginal discharge. Breast cancer can occur in either one or both breasts, and often does so after a woman reaches menopause. Some risk factors include having a family history of breast cancer, early menstruation, early pregnancy, late pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone therapy, and alcohol.
Breast cancer prevention
The first step is to avoid getting breast cancer in the first place. To do this, you need to start making lifestyle changes today. You can do many things to prevent breast cancer, and some of them don’t cost anything. Here are six of the most important things you can do to prevent breast cancer:
1. Eat well
2. Drink lots of water
3. Exercise regularly
5. Avoid smoking and drugs
6. Keep your doctor up-to-date on your health
These are just a few ways to prevent breast cancer. There are many others. However, if you’ve already been diagnosed, you need to focus on prevention.
Breast cancer risk factors
1. Genetics: Your genes determine the likelihood of developing breast cancer. Women born with specific genetic mutations are more likely to develop breast cancer than others. However, this doesn’t mean that you should act like you’re a superhero. Although you can’t change your genes, you can make healthy choices to lower your chances of getting breast cancer.
2. Hormones: The menstrual cycle is when hormones are high, and, breast tissue is most likely to grow. Our hormones become less consistent and change as we age, making the breast tissue more prone to disease.
3. Age: Women are more likely to get breast cancer. Breast cancer is rare in younger women, but by age 40, about 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer.
4. Radiation: Women who undergo radiation treatment to the chest have an increased risk of breast cancer.
5. Lifestyle: Women who smoke, are overweight, or drink alcohol are more likely to get breast cancer. These factors can also increase the risk of other cancers, including colon, liver, and lung cancer.
6. Overweight: Women overweight or obese are more likely to get breast cancer.
7. Diet: The diet you eat can affect your risk of breast cancer. Women who consume high levels of dairy are less likely to get breast cancer.
8. Stress: Psychological stress can increase the risk of breast cancer.
9. Family history: Having a family member with breast cancer increases your risk of developing the disease.
10. Mutation: If you have a family history of breast cancer, you’re more likely to develop the disease.
11. Exercise: Regular exercise decreases your risk of breast cancer.
What are some common treatments for breast cancer?
Surgery: Breast reconstruction is often necessary after mastectomy, a surgical procedure to remove breast tissue.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.
Radiotherapy: A radiotherapy is a form of radiation therapy that uses x-rays to kill cancer cells.
Tumor shrinking: Certain medications, such as tamoxifen, may shrink tumors.
Lifestyle changes: Lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, may help decrease the risk of developing breast cancer.
In addition, the American Cancer Society recommends that women under 50 should have a yearly mammogram, and women over 50 should have a mammogram every two years. If a lump is found, it should be tested for malignancy.
What are some side effects of breast cancer treatment?
Many women dread going through chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments for breast cancer. But if you know what to expect beforehand, it’s much easier to deal with. Chemotherapy is toxic and causes many side effects, such as hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and diarrhea. Many patients feel so sick during chemotherapy that they skip treatments or stop responding to them altogether.
In addition, many women who are diagnosed with breast cancer undergo radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is often given after surgery, and it helps destroy any remaining cancer cells. However, this treatment has side effects of its own. These include hair loss, dry mouth, hair thinning, skin irritation, nausea, and fatigue. While these side effects are very uncomfortable, it’s important to remember that they pass quickly.
One of the most severe side effects of radiation therapy is lymphedema. Lymphedema is a chronic condition that can occur when lymph nodes become swollen. It affects about 2 percent of breast cancer survivors. You can’t prevent lymphedema, but you can avoid it by making sure you don’t wear tight clothing that puts pressure on your lymph nodes.
Frequently asked questions about breast cancer.
Q: What do you think about breast cancer?
A: Breast cancer is very prevalent in our society. Many women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. When I first heard about breast cancer, it was scary to think that there were so many women who had it.
Q: How did you feel when you were diagnosed with breast cancer?
A: I was devastated. I felt as though I had lost a family member. It was like losing someone close to me, and I thought the person I loved most had been taken away from me. My emotions got the best of me.
Q: How has breast cancer changed you?
A: Breast cancer has made me appreciate life more. I enjoy my friends and family, my family, and my relationship with God. When I think about how I feel now, I can’t help but feel thankful for what I have been given.
Q: What has the cancer journey taught you?
A: I know that everything happens for a reason. You have to trust in God and let go of the pain.
Myths about breast cancer
1. Breast cancer only affects women.
2. If you’re a woman, you will likely be affected by breast cancer.
3. Breast cancer is common.
4. Women who get breast cancer are more likely to die than men.
5. Breast cancer is fatal.
6. Breast cancer is not life-threatening.
7. Breast cancer can’t be cured.
Conclusion
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women worldwide. According to the American Cancer Society, there were nearly 232,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in the United States in 2016. This means that many of you may know someone who has been affected by the disease. There are many different types of breast cancer. Some are more common than others, but many are preventable.