Breast Cancer Causes, Signs and Treatment: An overview of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that appears in breast tissue. A cancer is a group of cells with abnormal growth patterns. The highest

In the year 2000, cancers were responsible for 12% of the nearly 56 million deaths worldwide from all causes. Pisani P, Bray F, Parkin DM in a study entitled "Estimates of the world-wide prevalence of cancer for 25 sites in the adult population" found that breast cancer is the most malignant neoplasm worldwide among women.

Breast cancer is thus an important public health problem with associated high morbidity and mortality contributing to a high rate of death among women worldwide. It has been estimated that one out of every nine women living in Western countries is likely to be afflicted by breast cancer in her lifetime.

Breast cancer, though it is rare in men, occurs at a rate of 1 per 100 cancers in women. When breast cancer spreads to other major organs of the body, its compromises the function of those organs, and death is the result of extreme compromise of vital organ functions.

Breast Cancer Signs

A breast lump may be too small for a woman to detect on her own, therefore there are usually no noticeable signs of early breast cancer, the lump only being detected at a latter stage.

The most frequent signs include:

• any swelling or lump in the breast
• skin irritation or dimpling on or around the nipples
• nipple pain or the nipple turning inward
• change of colour or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
• breast pain
• discharge from the nipple that is not breast milk
• a lump in the underarm area (a lump in the lymph nodes)

Any change in the breast should be reported to a doctor immediately.

Breast Cancer Detection

The most commonly used methods of detecting breast cancer are a clinical breast examination (CBE - a physician or other health worker examines the breast), breast self-examination(BSE) and mammography.

The American Cancer Society recommends CBE and mammography for effective early detection.

In many developing countries, however, BSE is a common approach for population-wide breast cancer screening and detection being a cheap and easy home-based test.

Breast Cancer Prevention

Breast cancer risk factors fall into two groups – those you cannot control like age and sex, and those you have some measure of control over, like lifestyle choices.

These include eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding weight swings. You should also reduce alcohol intake to one drink or less a day.

A physically active lifestyle confers some measure of protection against breast cancer, as does the avoidance of unnecessary drug use (especially antibiotics).

Use of hormones, either as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or oral contraceptives is linked to breast cancer. Although the link is not very clear, you should use the lowest dose possible (a doctor's advice is essential).

Another thing to avoid is unnecessary exposure to drugs, pesticides and other industrial chemicals.

Breast cancer is a disease of high mortality and the very thought creates dread in the heart of many women.

Early detection and prompt treatment together with avoidance of key risk factors is the best advice.