Breast Cancer - Risk Factor and Treatment

What are the risk factors of developing breast cancer?

Breast cancer and risk factor and treatment today. What are the risk factors of developing breast cancer?

1. It has been seen that women who have a family history of cancer in their house either their mother or sister are more susceptible to cancer.
2. Those women who have not given birth.
3. Those who have given birth after the age of thirty.
4. Women with a history of breast cancer.
5. There is a higher risk factor for those who have been diagnosed with fibrocystic breast disease.
6. Early menstrual onset.
7. More common in women belonging to higher social economic group.
8. Breast cancer is more common in women who have been born in North America or in any part of Northern Europe.
9. Lifestyle i.e. urban and rural.

Apart from the above mentioned risk factors there are certain other risk factors like

1. Those who have an intake of high fats in their diet
2. Those who have been using contraceptive pills to control birth pills

Are there any warning signs?

1. A lump which has developed but has not disappeared on your breast or under your armpit.
2.  Finding any dimpling on the skin surface of your breast.
3. Any discharge from your nipples.
4. Change in the size or retraction of your nipple.
5. Change in the color, size or shape of your nipples.

If detected early nearly 90% of women suffering from cancer have been treated successfully. The success of curing breast cancer is more if you contact your doctor in case you find any changes in your breast even if it is a minute change. Self examination is the most important aspect of preventing breast cancer.

Mammography is a special x-ray which helps reveal any abnormalities in the breast that can lead to cancer. Mammography is recommended to women who have been suspected with any lumps in the breast or armpit. Mammography does not lead to cancer and it is a myth that prevents women from undergoing this test.

If suspected a biopsy is done and a specimen of the tissue is sent in for examination this is done by a qualified surgeon and done under anesthesia. Before giving a definite diagnosis of any suspected breast cancer the tissue should be sent for a biopsy.

What are the modes of treatment?

Depending upon the biopsy report treatment is given as per the extent of the tumor and each breast cancer treatment varies from patient to patient. Mainly two modes of treatment are given one is to prevent the recurrence of cancer and the other is to prevent the spread of cancer to other parts of the body or even to the outer side of the breast. To prevent recurrence the lump or tumor is removed surgically and this is termed as mastectomy or lumpectomy. Preventing the spread of cancer is done using hormone therapy wherein tamoxifen is most commonly used and sometimes even chemotherapy is administered. Breast reconstruction is possible after mastectomy and plastic surgery is also done.

To prevent cancer stop smoking, follow a low fat nutritious diet, self examination is the best help, meet up with your physician regularly; mammography should be performed as per doctor’s recommendation.