Breast Cancer And How Does It Occur?
Breast Cancer:
Breast cancer is cancer that develops from breast tissue. It starts when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control and form a tumour that can often be diagnosed through x-ray or felt a lump on the breast area. The tumour turns malignant if the cells invade the surrounding tissues or spread to other parts of the body. It generally happens to women, but men can get it, too.
It can begin to spread from any part of the breast. Although, in the majority of the cases, breast cancer starts in the ducts that carry milk to the nipple (ductal cancers). In some cases, cancer starts in the glands that make breast milk (lobular cancer).
There are also some other types of breast cancers that occur in other tissues of the breast. These are called Sarcomas and Lymphomas and are not really thought of as breast cancers.
Although, in most of the cases, breast cancer causes a lump. But it is not the case for every type of breast cancers. Those are associated with other symptoms.
Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in females worldwide. It accounts for 16% of all female cancers and 22.9% of invasive cancers in women. 18.2% of all cancer deaths worldwide, including both men and women, are from breast cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, 2,32,340 female breast cancers and 2,240 male breast cancers are reported in the USA each year, as well as about 39,620 deaths caused by the disease.
Breast Cancer Occurs:
Scientists and experts have conducted thorough studies on the causes of breast cancer. But they are yet to arrive at a definitive reason of developing breast cancer. However, several risk factors can impact on a woman’s likelihood of developing breast cancer. The risk factors include:
Breast cancer can occur genetically. Women who have a close relative or family member with breast or ovarian cancer are more likely to develop breast cancer. Women who carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a considerably higher risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer.
Chances are, a woman with an earlier history of breast cancer or even non-invasive cancer can develop the disease again.
Even if a non-cancerous lump forms over a woman’s breast, it can possibly turn cancerous in future.
Women with more dense breast tissue have a greater chance of developing breast cancer.
Breast cancer also depends on the oestrogen hormone exposure Women, whose period start before the age of 12 or who enter menopause at a later stage of above 55, are at more risk developing breast cancer because their bodies have been exposed to oestrogen for a longer time.
Obesity after menopause can be a major factor for developing breast cancer. In the case of obese menopausal women, there are higher levels of oestrogen.
There is also a theory by experts that suggests women who are taller than average, have a slightly high risk of developing breast cancer than those who are shorter than average. However, the reason is unknown.
The risk of developing breast cancer is high among women who consume alcohol regularly.
Undergoing X-rays and CT scans may raise a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer slightly. This is because their bodies get exposed to different radiations.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can be a significant reason for developing breast cancer.
Researchers have found out that certain jobs can be the cause of breast cancer for women. Women working the late night before her first pregnancy eventually have a higher risk of developing cancer. Canadian researchers found that certain jobs, especially those that bring the human body into contact with possible carcinogens and endocrine disruptors are linked to a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Examples include bar/gambling, automotive plastics manufacturing, metalworking, food canning and agriculture.
Breast cancer prevention: How to reduce your risk
Breast cancer prevention starts with healthy habits — such as limiting alcohol and staying physically active. Understand what you can do to reduce your breast cancer risk.
If you're concerned about breast cancer, you might be wondering if there are steps you can take toward breast cancer prevention. Some risk factors, such as family history, can't be changed. However, there are lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk.
What can I do to reduce my risk of breast cancer?
Lifestyle changes have been shown in studies to decrease breast cancer risk even in high-risk women. The following are steps you can take to lower your risk:
Can a healthy diet prevent breast cancer?
Eating a healthy diet might decrease your risk of some types of cancer, as well as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. For example, women who eat a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts might have a reduced risk of breast cancer. The Mediterranean diet focuses on mostly on plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. People who follow the Mediterranean diet choose healthy fats, like olive oil, over butter and fish instead of red meat.
Maintaining a healthy weight also is a key factor in breast cancer prevention.
Is there a link between birth control pills and breast cancer?
A number of older studies suggested that birth control pills — which often had higher estrogen doses prior to 1985 — slightly increased the risk of breast cancer, especially among younger women. In these studies, however, 10 years after discontinuing birth control pills women's risk of breast cancer returned to the same level as that of women who never used oral contraceptives. Current evidence does not support an increase in breast cancer with today’s birth control pills.
What else can I do?
Be vigilant about breast cancer detection. If you notice any changes in your breasts, such as a new lump or skin changes, consult your doctor. Also, ask your doctor when to begin mammograms and other screenings based on your personal history.
Source:
Breast Cancer:
Breast cancer is cancer that develops from breast tissue. It starts when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control and form a tumour that can often be diagnosed through x-ray or felt a lump on the breast area. The tumour turns malignant if the cells invade the surrounding tissues or spread to other parts of the body. It generally happens to women, but men can get it, too.
It can begin to spread from any part of the breast. Although, in the majority of the cases, breast cancer starts in the ducts that carry milk to the nipple (ductal cancers). In some cases, cancer starts in the glands that make breast milk (lobular cancer).
There are also some other types of breast cancers that occur in other tissues of the breast. These are called Sarcomas and Lymphomas and are not really thought of as breast cancers.
Although, in most of the cases, breast cancer causes a lump. But it is not the case for every type of breast cancers. Those are associated with other symptoms.
Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in females worldwide. It accounts for 16% of all female cancers and 22.9% of invasive cancers in women. 18.2% of all cancer deaths worldwide, including both men and women, are from breast cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, 2,32,340 female breast cancers and 2,240 male breast cancers are reported in the USA each year, as well as about 39,620 deaths caused by the disease.
Breast Cancer Occurs:
Scientists and experts have conducted thorough studies on the causes of breast cancer. But they are yet to arrive at a definitive reason of developing breast cancer. However, several risk factors can impact on a woman’s likelihood of developing breast cancer. The risk factors include:
Breast cancer can occur genetically. Women who have a close relative or family member with breast or ovarian cancer are more likely to develop breast cancer. Women who carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a considerably higher risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer.
Chances are, a woman with an earlier history of breast cancer or even non-invasive cancer can develop the disease again.
Even if a non-cancerous lump forms over a woman’s breast, it can possibly turn cancerous in future.
Women with more dense breast tissue have a greater chance of developing breast cancer.
Breast cancer also depends on the oestrogen hormone exposure Women, whose period start before the age of 12 or who enter menopause at a later stage of above 55, are at more risk developing breast cancer because their bodies have been exposed to oestrogen for a longer time.
Obesity after menopause can be a major factor for developing breast cancer. In the case of obese menopausal women, there are higher levels of oestrogen.
There is also a theory by experts that suggests women who are taller than average, have a slightly high risk of developing breast cancer than those who are shorter than average. However, the reason is unknown.
The risk of developing breast cancer is high among women who consume alcohol regularly.
Undergoing X-rays and CT scans may raise a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer slightly. This is because their bodies get exposed to different radiations.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can be a significant reason for developing breast cancer.
Researchers have found out that certain jobs can be the cause of breast cancer for women. Women working the late night before her first pregnancy eventually have a higher risk of developing cancer. Canadian researchers found that certain jobs, especially those that bring the human body into contact with possible carcinogens and endocrine disruptors are linked to a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Examples include bar/gambling, automotive plastics manufacturing, metalworking, food canning and agriculture.
Breast cancer prevention: How to reduce your risk
Breast cancer prevention starts with healthy habits — such as limiting alcohol and staying physically active. Understand what you can do to reduce your breast cancer risk.
If you're concerned about breast cancer, you might be wondering if there are steps you can take toward breast cancer prevention. Some risk factors, such as family history, can't be changed. However, there are lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk.
What can I do to reduce my risk of breast cancer?
Lifestyle changes have been shown in studies to decrease breast cancer risk even in high-risk women. The following are steps you can take to lower your risk:
- Limit alcohol. The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of developing breast cancer. The general recommendation — based on research on the effect of alcohol on breast cancer risk — is to limit yourself to less than 1 drink per day as even small amounts increase risk.
- Don't smoke. Accumulating evidence suggests a link between smoking and breast cancer risk, particularly in premenopausal women. In addition, not smoking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health.
- Control your weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer. This is especially true if obesity occurs later in life, particularly after menopause.
- Be physically active. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, which, in turn, helps prevent breast cancer. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity weekly, plus strength training at least twice a week.
- Breast-feed. Breast-feeding might play a role in breast cancer prevention. The longer you breast-feed, the greater the protective effect.
- Limit dose and duration of hormone therapy. Combination hormone therapy for more than three to five years increases the risk of breast cancer. If you're taking hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms, ask your doctor about other options. You might be able to manage your symptoms with nonhormonal therapies and medications. If you decide that the benefits of short-term hormone therapy outweigh the risks, use the lowest dose that works for you and continue to have your doctor monitor the length of time you are taking hormones.
- Avoid exposure to radiation and environmental pollution. Medical-imaging methods, such as computerized tomography, use high doses of radiation. While more studies are needed, some research suggests a link between breast cancer and radiation exposure. Reduce your exposure by having such tests only when absolutely necessary.
Can a healthy diet prevent breast cancer?
Eating a healthy diet might decrease your risk of some types of cancer, as well as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. For example, women who eat a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts might have a reduced risk of breast cancer. The Mediterranean diet focuses on mostly on plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. People who follow the Mediterranean diet choose healthy fats, like olive oil, over butter and fish instead of red meat.
Maintaining a healthy weight also is a key factor in breast cancer prevention.
Is there a link between birth control pills and breast cancer?
A number of older studies suggested that birth control pills — which often had higher estrogen doses prior to 1985 — slightly increased the risk of breast cancer, especially among younger women. In these studies, however, 10 years after discontinuing birth control pills women's risk of breast cancer returned to the same level as that of women who never used oral contraceptives. Current evidence does not support an increase in breast cancer with today’s birth control pills.
What else can I do?
Be vigilant about breast cancer detection. If you notice any changes in your breasts, such as a new lump or skin changes, consult your doctor. Also, ask your doctor when to begin mammograms and other screenings based on your personal history.
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