The most common form of cancer in women - which affects about 10% of the world's female population - is still the second most common cause of cancer deaths in women. about 20% of all breast cancer cases ending in death.
This form of cancer is the one considered to have the most serious psychological effects on women. Some specialists say that it happens because this form cancer affects what most women consider to be their symbol of femininity: the breast. Depression is often diagnosed in women who have breast cancer, which makes the treatment even harder.
Risk factors
Many factors are considered to be the possible causes of breast cancer. Contrary to what many people may think, breast cancer also affects men, in smaller proportions - about 1 case in 1000.
Here are some factors considered to be involved in the development of breast cancer:
Age
One thing is for sure about breast cancer: the risks increase with age . Statistics show that for a woman who lives to the age of 90, the risk of getting breast cancer is about 12,5% (or 1 in 8) . However, it's not impossible for young women to have breast cancer and when it happens, the cancer tends to be more aggressive. This is inflammatory breast cancer, difficult to detect because it does not appear in mammography or ultrasound and is often mistaken for mastitis, a simple breast infection .
Genes
Familial breast cancer is rare (less than 5%), but it can happen and it was found to be linked to two different genes. Although this is not a high risk factor for breast cancer, women who have cases of breast cancer among their relatives should have tests more often.
Hormones
The International Agency for Research on Cancer found that women who take combined estrogen-progestogen contraceptives and combined estrogen-progestogen menopausal therapy were at increased risk.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Earlier found, better chances of survival. This is the statement that summarizes the cure for breast cancer and it only makes more important the medical advice that says that women should have a complete check up, including a mammogram and an ultrasound, once a year, especially once they reach their 30s or 40s. A self-examination of the breasts should be done monthly.
Any sign of nodules or lumps found by the woman while doing her self-exam must be taken into account. Most women think that these lumps have something to do with their periods and in many cases they do, but they can also signify the presence of a tumor and that's why the doctor must be told as soon as possible .
The symptoms vary from woman to woman. Some have lumps and some don't. Some women have a white or light-yellow secretion leaking from the nipple, some women feel that their breast is tender and swollen. There are those women who feel nothing and these are the most dangerous cases .
The self-exam and the mammogram once a year are the best ways to diagnose breast cancer. If something is found by self-examination, regardless of whether the woman had already had a mammogram that year, another should be done.
Treatment
Medicine has improved a lot in the past few years and the treatments for breast cancer have become more powerful and effective .
There are different options for treatment of breast cancer and doctors can choose the correct one by taking into account the overall health of the woman affected:
- Local or Regional Treatments are directed right to the breast and also to the lymph nodes around the breast.
- Systemic Treatments are directed to the whole body.
- Alternative and Holistic Treatments are important to the person because they include not only the body, but also the mind and spirit as well.
In spite of that, the best treatment is no treatment at all, in other words, prevention.
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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Breast Cancer
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