| Over the years, researchers have identified breast | | | | less than average and as a result of this their breast |
| cancer as the most common cancer in women and | | | | cells are exposed to lower level of o estrogen |
| the second most common cause of cancer death in | | | | (however, its not advisable premenopause women |
| women. In the United Kingdom alone, more than | | | | should become overweight for this reason) |
| 50,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer | | | | Tall women have risk of having breast cancer than |
| every year, of which less than 300 are men. Until | | | | short women because taller women usually have |
| few years ago, the causes are not completely | | | | more breast tissue than shorter women, which might |
| understood, but it is now believed that hormonal and | | | | increase the risk. |
| genetic factors are the primary risk factors of. | | | | 8, Old age - Like most cancers, breast cancer |
| Recently, breast cancers are diagnosed as a result of | | | | increases as women get older. Cells tend to |
| a lump or change in the consistency of the breast | | | | deteriorate and turn into cancer cells and the longer |
| tissue and abnormality seen on a mammogram can | | | | we live, the more time that happens. Obviously you |
| also be sign of the disease. Awareness in the risk has | | | | cannot do much about getting older. |
| led to increase in the number of women undergoing | | | | Treatment of Breast Cancer |
| breast screening, this leading to early detection and | | | | In recent years, there have been increase in the |
| improvement in survival rate. | | | | types of treatment choices, and this has brought |
| Although breast cancer is common in women, male | | | | hope and excitement. However, let me point out |
| breast cancer does occur and accounts for about 1% | | | | clearly that its your doctor that determines the |
| cancer death in men. | | | | treatment options based on the type, the stage, |
| Some Risk factors associated with Breast Cancer | | | | sensitivity of the cancer cells to hormone and your |
| 1, Hormonal factor - include having higher level of | | | | overall health condition, before considering your |
| hormones in the blood after menopause, having no | | | | preferences. |
| children or having them late in life, women who have | | | | 1, Surgery |
| taken Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) at | | | | (a) Removing the cancer (lumpectomy) - Here the |
| anytime in their life, taking contraceptive pills, late | | | | tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue is |
| menopause, women who have never breast fed and | | | | removed. |
| women who start their periods at a young age (early | | | | (b) Removing the entire breast (Mastectomy) - Here |
| puberty) | | | | breast tissue is completely removed. Mastectomy can |
| 2, Genetic factor - Family history has long been | | | | be radical, that is the underlying muscle of the chest |
| associated with breast cancer. This risk is high if any | | | | wall is removed along with the surrounding lymph |
| of the parents or relatives have had it in the past. | | | | nodes in the armpit. |
| There is great interest in genes linked and about | | | | (c ) Removing one lymph node (Sentinel node biopsy) |
| 5-10% are believed to be hereditary. | | | | - this is applied when the cancer has spread to the |
| 3, Age factor - Age is a critical factor because it may | | | | lymph nodes and other parts. The doctor then |
| occur at any age from 30years and above, although | | | | determines which lymph node near the breast tumor |
| it usually increase with age. | | | | receives the lymph drainage from the cancer. This |
| 4, Ethnic group factor - It is widely believed that | | | | lymph node is then removed and tested for cancer |
| white women are slightly more likely to develop | | | | cells. If no cancer is found, then chances of finding |
| breast cancer than African-American women in the | | | | cancer is small and no other node is removed. |
| United State and other part of Africa. | | | | (d) Removing several lymph nodes (auxiliary lymph |
| 5, Personal lifestyle - Daily consumption of alcohol | | | | node dissection) - If cancer is found in the sentinel |
| over a period of years can increase the risk of | | | | node, then additional lymph node is removed from |
| breast cancer. | | | | the armpit and if cancer has spread to lymph node |
| 6, Personal history - If a woman has had breast | | | | then further treatment may be considered after the |
| cancer before, she is at a greater risk of developing | | | | surgery. |
| a new breast cancer. | | | | 2, Chemotherapy - Here drugs are used to kill cancer |
| 7, Weight and Height - If a woman is overweight | | | | cells when the cancer has spread to other parts. |
| before menopause, her risk of breast cancer is lower | | | | 3, Radiation therapy - Here high energy rays are used |
| than average. If she is overweight after menopause, | | | | to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing. |
| her risk of having it is higher than average. This is | | | | 4, Hormonal therapy - This also involves the use of |
| simply because women who are overweight ovulate | | | | drugs in treatment of breast cancer. |