Breast cancer occurs when cancer cells develop in the tissues of the breast. These cancerous cells have the ability to spread to other parts of the body or infiltrate nearby tissues. When an accumulation of cells creates a mass of tissues known as a lump, growth, or tumour, breast cancer may result. The cells have the ability to enter lymphatic or blood arteries that branch out into other body areas. Let’s first dispel a few myths surrounding the illness. Breast cancer isn’t infectious and doesn’t spread. Additionally, it is not brought on by microwaves, cell phones, deodorants, implants, mammography, coffee, or underwire bras.
On average, 1 in 8 women get diagnosed with breast cancer. Additionally, it occurs in women almost 100 times more frequently than in men. The following variables may raise your risk of developing breast cancer:
Being a woman
Being 55 years of age or older
Being overweight
Possessing a genetic component and/or family history, such as an immediate relative with an ovarian or breast cancer diagnosis. If a family member was diagnosed before the age of fifty, your risk of getting diagnosed increases.
Having been previously diagnosed with breast cancer
Attaining early menstruation (before the age of twelve) or late menopause (beyond the age of fifty-five)
Having never given birth or having your first child later in life
Breast tissue that is dense
Radiation therapy treatment to the breast
Lack of physical activity
Poor diet
Alcohol consumption
There might not be any obvious changes within the breast when breast tumours are small enough. A breast tumour might alter the breast's appearance or feel as it spreads. Typical modifications could be:
A bulge or thickening under the arms or in the vicinity of the breast
A shift in the breast's dimensions or form
Puckering or dimples in the breast's skin
Nipple turning inwards, facing the breast
Fluid discharge from the breast, particularly if it's bloody
Skin that is swollen, red, or scaled on the breast, nipple, or areola (the dark spot in the middle of the breast).
Kinds Of Breast Examinations
Clinical breast exam: A doctor examines your breasts for abnormalities such as dimpling, rashes, and changes in size or form. Your entire breast, underarm, and collarbone region will be examined by your doctor. In order to determine whether the lymph nodes close to your breast are swollen, these will also be examined.
Mammogram: It is a low-dose X-ray of the breast's internal tissues. A breast lump may be visible on a mammogram before the patient or her physician can feel it. They may also exhibit other diseases or precancerous cells. To detect breast cancer early, when treatments have the best chance of curing it, women should have screening mammograms on a regular basis. The greatest number of breast cancer deaths are prevented by annual screening beginning at age 40. Ask your doctor when you should get a mammogram, how often if you are under 40, and what your risk factors are for breast cancer. In addition to regular mammograms, women at a higher risk of breast cancer could require additional screening.
Other imaging tests: An ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be ordered by the physician if a mammogram or clinical breast exam reveals an abnormal region. These imaging procedures give your surgeon and radiology specialist more precise images of breast tissue to help them decide if a biopsy is necessary. To check for cancer cells, a radiology specialist or surgeon may do a core biopsy, which involves removing a little sample of tissue from an unhealthy part of your breast.
Breast Self-exam
You can better grasp how your breasts normally feel and look by doing a breast self-examination for breast awareness. You can notify your healthcare provider if you observe any changes to your breasts or if you observe that one breast differs from the other.
Changes in the breasts can result from a variety of illnesses, including breast cancer. Even if you have had or will soon have a mammogram, let your healthcare provider know about any changes you discover. A mammography may fail to detect a tiny cancer or one that is in an obscure location. Your healthcare provider may suggest imaging tests to investigate any concerns you have. These could include an ultrasound or a diagnostic mammography.
Breast cancer cannot usually be detected with the breast self-examination approach. If you have fibrocystic breasts, which makes the breast tissue feel lumpy, self-examinations may be challenging. Nonetheless, many patients state that a new breast lump they discovered on their own was the initial indication of their breast cancer. Because of this, medical practitioners advise that you become accustomed to the normal appearance and feel of your breasts.