Cancer of the breast is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell
growth which develops
from breast tissue with the potential to invade or spread to
other parts of the body. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most
common cancer diagnosed in women in the world. Breast cancer can occur in both
men and women, but it is far more common in women.
growth which develops
from breast tissue with the potential to invade or spread to
other parts of the body. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most
common cancer diagnosed in women in the world. Breast cancer can occur in both
men and women, but it is far more common in women.
Signs
and symptoms of cancer of the breast
and symptoms of cancer of the breast
Signs and symptoms of cancer of the breast may
include:
include:
·
A breast lump or thickening that feels different
from the surrounding tissue
A breast lump or thickening that feels different
from the surrounding tissue
·
Bloody discharge from the nipple
Bloody discharge from the nipple
·
Change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast
Change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast
·
Changes to the skin over the breast, such as
dimpling
Changes to the skin over the breast, such as
dimpling
·
A newly inverted nipple
A newly inverted nipple
·
Peeling, scaling or flaking of the pigmented area
of skin surrounding the nipple or breast skin
Peeling, scaling or flaking of the pigmented area
of skin surrounding the nipple or breast skin
·
Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast,
like the skin of an orange
Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast,
like the skin of an orange
Causes of cancer of the breast
It is not clear what causes breast cancer. But it
is commonly known that breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin
growing abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and
continue to accumulate, forming a lump or mass. The cells may spread through the
breast or to other parts of your body.
is commonly known that breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin
growing abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and
continue to accumulate, forming a lump or mass. The cells may spread through the
breast or to other parts of your body.
Breast cancer most often begins with cells in the
milk-producing ducts or in the glandular tissue called lobules or in other
cells or tissue within the breast. Researchers have identified hormonal,
lifestyle and environmental factors that may increase your risk of breast
cancer. But it is not clear why some people who have no risk factors develop
cancer, yet other people with risk factors never do. It is likely that breast
cancer is caused by a complex interaction of genetic makeup and environment. It
is also worthy to note that an estimate of about 5 to 10 percent of breast
cancers are linked to gene mutations passed through generations of a family.
milk-producing ducts or in the glandular tissue called lobules or in other
cells or tissue within the breast. Researchers have identified hormonal,
lifestyle and environmental factors that may increase your risk of breast
cancer. But it is not clear why some people who have no risk factors develop
cancer, yet other people with risk factors never do. It is likely that breast
cancer is caused by a complex interaction of genetic makeup and environment. It
is also worthy to note that an estimate of about 5 to 10 percent of breast
cancers are linked to gene mutations passed through generations of a family.
Preventive measures for cancer of
the breast
the breast
Making changes in daily life may help reduce the
risk of cancer of the breast
risk of cancer of the breast
·
Breast cancer screening: It is
advisable to begin breast cancer screening exams and tests, such as clinical
breast exams and mammograms whether an individuals has a risk of it or not.
Breast cancer screening: It is
advisable to begin breast cancer screening exams and tests, such as clinical
breast exams and mammograms whether an individuals has a risk of it or not.
·
Breast self-examination: People
especially women should examine breasts by occasionally inspecting the breasts.
If there is a new change, lumps or other unusual signs in the breasts, the
individual should seek professional advice for early management.
Breast self-examination: People
especially women should examine breasts by occasionally inspecting the breasts.
If there is a new change, lumps or other unusual signs in the breasts, the
individual should seek professional advice for early management.
·
Use alcohol in moderation: Limit
the amount of alcohol intake to less than one drink a day, if the individual
has to drink at all.
Use alcohol in moderation: Limit
the amount of alcohol intake to less than one drink a day, if the individual
has to drink at all.
·
Exercise regularly: Aim for
at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week.
Exercise regularly: Aim for
at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week.
·
Maintain a healthy weight. For people
with a healthy weight, they should work to maintain that weight. But for those
who need to lose weight, they should seek a professional advice on healthy
strategies to accomplish this. It is also important to reduce the number of
calories ingested each day and slowly increase the amount of exercise.
Maintain a healthy weight. For people
with a healthy weight, they should work to maintain that weight. But for those
who need to lose weight, they should seek a professional advice on healthy
strategies to accomplish this. It is also important to reduce the number of
calories ingested each day and slowly increase the amount of exercise.
·
Choose a healthy diet. It is
advisable especially for women to stick to a diet mostly on plant-based foods,
such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts, also they should
eat a lot of fish instead of red meat.
Choose a healthy diet. It is
advisable especially for women to stick to a diet mostly on plant-based foods,
such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts, also they should
eat a lot of fish instead of red meat.
Dietary management for patient with cancer of the
breast
breast
·
Eat plenty of vegetables: Diet
rich in vegetables are healthier than a diet that contains a lot of animal
products. Vegetables have lower fat content and higher fiber content compared
to animal products, and most are packed with nutrients. Eat vegetables such as carrots,
eggplant tomatoes, tomatoes — raw in salad, sandwiches, salsa, juice, alone
(like a piece of fruit), or cooked in sauces, etc.
Eat plenty of vegetables: Diet
rich in vegetables are healthier than a diet that contains a lot of animal
products. Vegetables have lower fat content and higher fiber content compared
to animal products, and most are packed with nutrients. Eat vegetables such as carrots,
eggplant tomatoes, tomatoes — raw in salad, sandwiches, salsa, juice, alone
(like a piece of fruit), or cooked in sauces, etc.
·
Eat whole fruit: Rather
than drinking fruit juice. Whole fruit reduces calories, adds fiber, and
increases feelings of fullness. While dried fruit has just as much fiber as
fresh fruit, the calories per serving are much higher.
Eat whole fruit: Rather
than drinking fruit juice. Whole fruit reduces calories, adds fiber, and
increases feelings of fullness. While dried fruit has just as much fiber as
fresh fruit, the calories per serving are much higher.
·
Limit your fat intake.
Try to eat no more than 30 grams of fat per day and get no more than 10% of
your calories from saturated fat. Avoid trans fats, which are the fats found in
shortening, stick (or hard) margarine, and many store-bought cookies, crackers,
snack foods, fried foods, pastries, and other baked goods.
Limit your fat intake.
Try to eat no more than 30 grams of fat per day and get no more than 10% of
your calories from saturated fat. Avoid trans fats, which are the fats found in
shortening, stick (or hard) margarine, and many store-bought cookies, crackers,
snack foods, fried foods, pastries, and other baked goods.
·
Eat less salad dressing: Use
a non-fat or low-fat dressing, or use a small amount dressing for salad.
Eat less salad dressing: Use
a non-fat or low-fat dressing, or use a small amount dressing for salad.
·
Eliminate some foods with the highest fat content,
especially if they have trans fats (fried foods,
margarine).
Eliminate some foods with the highest fat content,
especially if they have trans fats (fried foods,
margarine).
·
Avoid processed meats. They
are usually high in fat, salt, and other preservatives.
Avoid processed meats. They
are usually high in fat, salt, and other preservatives.
·
Choose lean cuts
of meat, fish, and poultry.
Choose lean cuts
of meat, fish, and poultry.
·
Trim fat from meat, poultry,
and fish.
Trim fat from meat, poultry,
and fish.
·
Remove the skin
from poultry and fish.
Remove the skin
from poultry and fish.