#HEALTHTALK 25: What you need to know about breast cancer

Cancerous cells are abnormal cells that grow out of control. They don't divide like normal cells; their division is more rapid, hence they form a mass of cells.

Breast cancer is a type of cancer  in the breast that usually forms a tumor often seen on an x-ray or felt as a lump. Breast cancer is seen mostly in women, although men can have it too. Breast cancer is most times noticed as a lump, but not all breast cancer have lumps

Most breast lumps are benign and not cancer (malignant). Non-cancerous breast tumors don't spread outside the breast, although they are abnormal. Certain benign breast lumps can increase a woman's risk of getting breast cancer, but they are not life-threatening. Get checked by a health care professional to determine if it is benign or malignant (cancer) and if it might put you at risk if cancer in the future.

Breast cancers can start from different parts of the breast, however, most breast cancers begin in the ducts that carry milk to the nipple (ductal cancers). Some start in the glands that make breast milk (lobular cancers). A small number of cancers start in other tissues in the breast. These cancers are called sarcomas and lymphomas and are not really thought of as breast cancers. There are many types of breast cancer.

Many breast cancers are also found on screening mammograms which can detect cancers at an earlier stage, often before they can be felt, and before symptoms develop. 

Breast cancer cells on getting into the blood or lymph system are carried and spread to other parts of the body. 

The symptoms of breast cancer include:

A thickened area in or near your breast or underarm that has lasted for a while and doesn't change after.

A small pea sized mass, can also be a hard marble-sized spot under your skin.

Change in your breast’s size, shape, or curve. 

Discharge from the nipple that may be bloody or clear. 

Changes in the skin(dimpled, puckered, scaly, or inflamed) of your breast or your nipple. 

Reddening of the skin on your breast or nipple. 

Change in position or size of nipple. 

Noticeable difference of a particular area from other areas on the breast. 

Causes of Breast Cancer

The cause(s) of breast cancer is unknown, but certain things put you at higher risk of getting it. Some can be controlled, and others can't. Your age, genetic factors, personal health history, and diet all play a role. 

But it's not clear why some people who have no risk factors develop cancer, while other people with risk factors never do. It's likely that breast cancer is caused by a complex interaction of your genetic makeup and your environment.

Inherited breast cancer

If you have a family history of breast cancer, you're most likely to develop it. Go for medical test for early detection and take preventive measures. 

Medical practioners say that gene mutation passed down generations is the cause of about 5-10% of breast cancer.

How to check your breasts

Checking your breasts takes a few minutes.It requires no special training or techniques.

On a regular basis, check the whole breast area, including your upper chest and armpits

It’s as simple as Touch, Look and Check. 

Touch your breasts: can you feel anything unusual. 

Look for any difference in any part. 

Check any changes with your GP. 

PREVENTION OF BREAST CANCER

Avoid Alcohol

You increase your risk of developing breast cancer when you consume alcohol. Based on research, it is advised to limit yourself to less than one drink a day, as even small amounts increase risk.

Stop smoking

Evidence from research suggests that smoking is related to breast cancer, especially in premenopausal women.

Reduce and control your weight

Obesity and overweight increase the risk of breast cancer, especially for women in their menopause.

Physical activity/Exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight, which helps prevent breast cancer. Adults should aim for at least 150-200 minutes every week of moderate aerobic activity or 75-90 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity weekly, coupled with strength training at least twice a week.

Breast-feeding 

The longer you breast-feed, the greater the protective effect.

Limit dose and duration of hormone therapy

Merged hormone therapy that lasts for more than three to five years exposes the individual to the risk of developing breast cancer. You may be taking hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms, try other options at the recommendation of your doctor. There might be nonhormonal therapies and medications to help manage the symptoms. However, if you decide that the advantages of short-term hormone therapy exceed the dangers, use the lowest dose that works for you and continue to have your doctor monitor the length of time you're taking hormones.

According to research, exposure to radiation, environmental pollution, medical-imaging methods such as computerized tomography, overtime, increase the risk of developing breast cancer to a great extent. Reduce your exposure by taking such tests only when absolutely necessary.

If you have a strong family history of breast cancer or other cancers, your doctor may recommend a blood test to help identify specific mutations in BRCA or other genes that are being passed through your family.

Consider asking your doctor for a referral to a genetic counselor who can review your family health history. A genetic counselor can also discuss the benefits, risks and limitations of genetic testing to assist you with shared decision-making.

Risk factors

Simply being a woman is a risk factor for breast cancer. Having other risk factors doesn't mean you'll most probably develop breast cancer although it seems so.

Factors that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer include:

Being a woman

Women are much more likely than men are to develop breast cancer.

Age advancement

Your risk of breast cancer increases as you age.

History of breast condition 

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia found previously in the breast  increases your risk of breast cancer.

History of breast cancer

There's a greater risk of developing cancer on one breast if you've had one on the other.

A family history of breast cancer

If your mother, sister or daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly at a young age, your risk of breast cancer is increased. However, please note that the majority of people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.

Radiation exposure

If you received radiation treatments to your chest as a child or young adult, your risk of breast cancer is increased.

Obesity

Being overweight increases your risk of breast cancer.

Early mensuration

Beginning your period before age 12 increases your risk of breast cancer.

Late Menopause

If you began menopause at an older age, you may develop breast cancer.

Beginning child birth late

Giving birth to a child before age 30 reduces your risk of developing breast cancer. 

Pregnancy

People who have been pregnant have lower risk of developing breast cancer compared to those who've never been pregnant.

Postmenopausal hormone therapy

Combination of estrogen and progesterone (hormonal therapy) to treat the signs and symptoms of menopause increases the risk of breast cancer and decreases when they stop the therapy.

Drinking alcohol 

Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.

Treatment of Breast Cancer

There are several ways to treat breast cancer, depending on the kind and stage of cancer. More than one king of treatment is often used for people with breast cancer.

Surgery

Doctors cut out cancer tissues during a surgical operation.

Chemotherapy

Special drugs are given to the patients to shrink or kill the cancerous cells. The drugs can be in form of pills or injections; sometimes both.

Hormonal therapy

Cancer cells are restricted from acquiring hormones needed for their growth, thereby inhibiting their growth. 

Biological therapy

Therapy given to boost immune system so as to fight cancer cells or control the side effects of other treatments. 

Radiation therapy

The use of high energy rays to kill cancer cells.

Chisom Deborah Ogbonna, a Biologist, writes from Lagos, Nigeria where she is a lead content developer for the #HealthTalk series. 

Disclaimer: The #HealthTalk series is aimed at informing the public in a general sense that is not necessarily professional. Hence, the information provided herein is not meant to replace the appropriate medical guidance of a trained and licensed physician. Doctor's counsels are to be taken in preference.