Basically, Breast Cancer forms in the cells of the breasts. Whereby, after skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in Kenya and East Africa at large.
However, it can occur in both men and women, but it’s far more common in women. Substantial support for breast cancer awareness and research funding has helped create advances in the diagnosis and treatment.
And as a matter of fact, survival rates have increased, and the number of deaths associated with this disease is steadily declining. Largely, due to factors such as earlier detection, and a new personalized approach to treatment.
As well as a better understanding of the disease. Furthermore, when you’re told that you have the disease, it’s natural to wonder what causes the disease.
What Causes Breast Cancer?
Important to realize, doctors seldom know why one woman develops the disease while others don’t. And most women who have this type of cancer will never be able to pinpoint an exact cause.
However, what we do know is that damage to a cell’s DNA always causes breast cancer. Women with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop it.
To enumerate, a risk factor is something that may increase the chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors (such as drinking alcohol) can be avoided. But, most risk factors like having a family history can’t be avoided.
In addition, having a risk factor does not mean that a woman will get the disease. Whereby, if these cells mutate, they can increase the growth of cells without any control causing cancer.
Which are the Types of Breast Cancer?
Although the precise causes of this type of cancer are unclear, we know the main risk factors. Still, most women considered at high risk for the disease do not get it.
While many with no known risk factors do develop it. Among the most significant factors are advancing age and a family history of breast cancer.
Risk increases for a woman who has certain types of benign breast lumps.
- Angiosarcoma
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
- Inflammatory breast cancer
- Invasive lobular carcinoma
- Male breast cancer
- Paget’s disease of the breast
- Recurrent breast cancer
Significantly, it increases for a woman who has previously had cancer of the breast or the ovaries.
A woman whose mother, sister, or daughter has had the cancer is two to three times more likely to develop the disease. Particularly if more than one first-degree relative has been affected.
Researchers have identified two genes responsible for some instances of familial cancer of the breast (BRCA1 and BRCA2).
About one woman in 200 carries the genes. Having one of them predisposes a woman to the disease but does not ensure that she will get it.
How do I get Breast Cancer?
Generally, women over age 50 are more likely to get breast cancer than younger women.
However, African-American women are more likely than Caucasians to get the disease before menopause. Not to mention, there are many risk factors that increase the chance of developing breast affiliated cancer.
Although we know some of these risk factors. We don’t know the cause of the disease or how these factors cause the development of a cancer cell.
What we know, in reality, is that normal breast cells become cancerous because of mutations in the DNA.
Equally, some of these are inherited, most DNA changes related to breast cells are acquired during one’s life. Proto-oncogenes help cells grow.
If these cells mutate, they can increase the growth of cells without any control (like Oncogenes). Such uncontrolled cell growth can lead to breast-related cancer.
What are the Risks of Breast Cancer?
Some of the breast cancer risk factors can be modified (such as alcohol use). While others cannot be influenced (such as age).
It is important to discuss these risks with a health care provider anytime new therapies are started. For example, postmenopausal hormone therapy. Several risk factors are inconclusive (such as deodorants).
While in other areas, the risk is being even more clearly defined (such as alcohol use).
The Main Risk Factors for Breast Cancer include:
- Age: The chances increase as one gets older.
- Family history: The risk is higher among women who have relatives with the disease. Having a close relative with the disease (sister, mother, daughter) doubles a woman’s risk.
- Personal history: Having been diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast increases the risk in the other breast or the chance of additional cancer in the original breast.
- Women diagnosed with certain benign breast conditions have an increased risk of breast affiliated cancer. These include atypical hyperplasia, a condition in which there is an abnormal proliferation of breast cells but no cancer has developed.
- Menstruation: Women who started their menstrual cycle at a younger age (before 12) or went through menopause later (after 55) have a slightly increased risk.
- Breast tissue: Women with dense breast tissue (as documented by mammogram) have a higher risk of breast cancer.
- Race: White women have a higher risk of developing breast-related cancer, but African-American women tend to have more aggressive tumors when they do.
Additional Breast Cancer Risk Factors
- Exposure to previous chest radiation or use of diethylstilbestrol.
- Having no children or the first child after age 30 increases the risk of breast cancer.
- Breastfeeding for one and a half to two years might slightly lower the risk of breast cancer.
- Being overweight or obese increases the risk both in pre- and postmenopausal women but at different rates.
- The use of oral contraceptives in the last 10 years increases the risk of getting it slightly.
- Using combined hormone therapy after menopause.
- Alcohol use increases the risk, and this seems to be proportional to the amount of alcohol used. A recent study reviewing the research on alcohol use and breast cancer concludes. That all levels of alcohol use associated with an increased risk. This includes even light drinking.
- Exercise seems to lower the risk.
- Genetic factors involvement.
And the most common causes are mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (breast cancer and ovarian cancer genes).
Inheriting a mutated gene from a parent means that one has a significantly higher risk of developing it. With this in mind, please read and learn more here.
What are the Signs & Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
Above all, in its early stages, the disease did not cause any notable signs or earl symptoms. In many cases, a tumor may be too small to feel.
However, you can still see an abnormality on a mammogram. As an example, if a tumor can be felt, the first sign is usually a new lump in the breast that was not there before.
Even though, not all lumps are cancer. Each type of breast cancer can cause a variety of symptoms. Many of these symptoms are similar, but some can be different.
Symptoms for the Most Common Breast Cancer include:
- a breast lump or tissue thickening that feels different than surrounding tissue and has developed recently
- breast pain
- red, pitted skin over your entire breast
- swelling in all or part of your breast
- nipple discharge other than breast milk
- bloody discharge from your nipple
- peeling, scaling, or flaking of skin on your nipple or breast
- a sudden, unexplained change in the shape or size of your breast
- inverted nipple
- changes to the appearance of the skin on your breasts
- a lump or swelling under your arm
If you have any of these symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer. For instance, pain in your breast or a breast lump can be caused by a breast cyst.
Still, if you find a lump in your breast or have other symptoms. After all, you should see your doctor for further examination and testing.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Breast Cancer?
Surprisingly, in their lifetime, out of 8 women, 1 of them gets diagnosed with breast cancer.
To determine if it causes the symptoms or a benign breast condition. Your doctor will do a thorough physical exam in addition to a breast exam.
They may also request one or more diagnostic tests to help understand what’s causing your symptoms.
Basically, Tests that Can help Diagnose the Cancer Cells include:
1. Mammogram
Perhaps the best way to see below the surface of your breast is with an imaging test called a mammogram.
Many women get annual mammograms to check for cancer. If your doctor suspects you may have a tumor or suspicious spot, they will also request a mammogram.
Additionally, your doctor may request additional tests if an abnormality is seen on your mammogram.
2. Ultrasound
A breast ultrasound creates a picture of the tissues deep in your breast. The ultrasound uses sound waves to do this.
An ultrasound can help your doctor distinguish between a solid mass, such as a tumor, and a benign cyst.
While you can’t prevent cancer, it is important to be proactive about your health.
Not forgetting, your doctor may also suggest tests such as an MRI or a Breast Biopsy.
What is Breast Biopsy?
A breast biopsy is a way to evaluate a suspicious area in your breast to determine whether it is breast cancer.
And above all, a breast biopsy provides a sample of tissue that doctors use to identify and diagnose abnormalities in the cells that make up breast lumps.
First, a breast lump biopsy obtains tissue from the lump for assessment under a microscope. Common breast biopsy procedures include core biopsy, vacuum-assisted biopsy, and open surgical biopsy.
Secondly, Diagnostic Medical Imaging Equipment like ultrasound and mammogram may be used to guide the biopsy. Of course, there are several types of breast biopsy procedures. So, read and learn more about the Factors Contributing to the Breast Biopsy.
Resources;
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