A BRIEF ABOUT BREAST CANCER BY FELICITY ANYANWU

Ahead of the comemoration of WORLD CANCER DAY 2016, We present and share with you a piece on BREAST CANCER compiled by a concerned lady and youth corp member, Ms ANYANWU FELICITY. 

Enjoy Reading!!!

Cancer is a well known word in our world today. It occurs when cells begin to grow abnormally. Cells in any part of the body can become cancerous and spread to other parts of the body.

Breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin to grow abnormally. The cells divide rapidly than healthy cells and continue to grow and accumulate forming a lump or mass (malignant tumour). The cells may spread and affect other parts of the body. It occurs mostly in women but men can also have breast cancer.

In most cases, it might not be noticed at an early stage but symptoms could include:

1. Breast lump
2. Changes in skin texture of the breast or nipple
3. Rashes around the nipple
4. Discharge from one or both of the nipples
5. New and persistent discomfort or pain in one of the breast or armpit
6. Lump or thickening in the armpit

Women ought to be aware of these symptoms and visit their doctors if they notice these symptoms. Early detection may lead to:

1. Higher rates of successful treatment
2. Successful treatment which may prevent more advanced cancer
3. Treatment for early stage cancer which may be mild and lead to less complications

RISK FACTORS

The risk of developing breast cancer depends on a number of risk factors/causes and it varies among individuals
Lack of physical activity
Alcohol consumption
Advancement in age
Early menarche or late menopause
History of receiving radiation therapy to the chest before age 30
History of breast cancer, ovarian cancer or endometrial cancer (cancer of the inner lining of the womb)
History of certain breast conditions
Family history of certain gene mutations (e.g. BRCA1 or BRCA 2)
Family history of breast cancer especially for first degree relatives e.g. mother, sister or daughter diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 30.

Having these above mentioned factors doesn’t mean that you must have breast cancer, it only means your risk of developing cancer may be higher than average.

WAYS TO REDUCE OR PREVENT THESE RISK FACTORS

1. Regular physical activitie
2. Avoid alcohol drinking
3. Maintain a healthy body weight 
4. Have children at an earlier age and breastfeed each child for longer duration

SELF EXAMINATION

Self examination are tests that you can carry out on your own in the convenience of your house as early detection of breast cancer can increase its possibility of being cured. The steps include:

1. 1. Begin by looking at your breast in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Look out for breasts that are not their usual shape, size, colour, evenly shaped, with visible distortion or swelling, bulging of the skin, changes in position of the nipples, redness, soreness, rash or swelling.
2. 2.  Raise your hand and look for the same changes
3. 3.  Look out for signs of any fluid coming out of any or both of the nipples. This could be watery, milky or yellow fluid or blood.
4. 4.  Feel your breast while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm smooth touch with the few four fingers, keeping them flat and together, using a circular motion cover the whole breast from top to bottom, side to side – from collar bone to top of the abdomen and from arm pit to your cleavage. Be sure to feel all the tissues.
5. 5. Do the same process while standing probably while taking a shower (taking your bath)

TREATMENTS FOR BREAST CANCER:

1. 1. SURGERY: Depending on the stage and type of cancer, surgery could range from Lumpectomy (removal of the lump) to Mastectomy (removal of the whole breast and surrounding tissues)
2. 2. RADIATION THERAPY: Using high energy X-ray or other type of radiation to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
3. 3.  CHEMOTHERAPY: Is a cancer treatment using drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells by killing them or stopping them from dividing and growing.
4. 4. HORMONAL THERAPY: It is a treatment that removes hormones or blocks their actions and stops cancer cells from growing
5. 5. TARGETED THERAPY: It is a type of therapy that uses drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming hormonal cells

HOW TO HELP YOURSELF IF YOU HAVE BREAST CANCER:

1. Understand your illness and treatment
2. Talk to someone you trust about how you feel
3. Cooperate with the healthcare professionals who are involved with taking care of you
4. Eat properly and adopt a diet as instructed by your health care givers
5. Exercise regularly but under medical supervision
6. Avoid stress and learn how to do things you enjoy.