Breast Cancer Overview
Posted by Healthfitline
On
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in woman. It is a malignant tumor that originates from a breast cell and gradually spread to adjacent lymph nodes. Some cancer originates from the duct, others originates from lobes while other may originate from other tissue and spread to the breast.
Risks of Developing Breast Cancer
- Hereditary
- Radiation Exposure
- Bening or non-cancerous breast diseases
- Alcohol and smoking
- Late menopause and early menses - more exposure to estrogen
- Late child delivery - first child after the age of 35 years
- Hormonal therapy that require the use of estrogen
Hormone (Estrogen) and Breast Cancer
Estrogen is a hormone that plays a significant role in normal development of women sexual organs. It is also important for normal functioning of female organs and together with progestrone, they control woman's menstrual cycle.
However, despite the important functions of the estrogen hormone, high level of estrogen is associated with breast cancer. According to a recent study, women who develop breast cancer tend to have higher estrogen level than those who do not.
Another study has also shown that, women who were treated of breast cancer and had high estrogen levels had increased chances of cancer returning sooner than women who were treated of breast cancer but with low level of estrogen hormone.
The reason why estrogen is associated with increased risk of developing breast cancer is because of;
- Its significant role in division of breast cell during growth and development.
- It's effect on hormones that stimulates breast cell division.
- It is known to support growth of estrogen responsive tumors.
The theory behind estrogen and breast cancer is that, since estrogen stimulates cell division and the rate at which cell division occurs, there is increased chances of DNA error occuring during breast cell division which can lead to a permanent mutation.
Screening and Early Detection
Frequent Self Examination
- Should be started as early as 20 years - done 7-10 days after menustration.
- For menopause women and those women who have had a hysterectomy, breast self examination should be done every month on the same date.
Mammogram
- Should be started as early as when the woman is 35-40 years old.
- Woman should be educated on what to expect during the procedure (slight discomfort) and to avoid powder, lotion and deodorant prior to having the examination.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
- Irregular, fixed and painless mass found on the upper right quadrant upon palpation.
- Breast discharges
- Skin edema or lymphedema of the affected arm.
- Retractable nipples
- Sudden change in breast assymetry
- Skin dimpling
- Change of the color of the breast (orange peel skin)
- Thickening of the breast and presence of a lump
- Axillary lymphadenopathy (enlargement of the lymph nodes in the armpit. If the lymph glands become painful and tender, this condition is called axillary lymphadenitis.
Breast Cancer Treatment
Breast cancer is treated using any of the following means;
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Surgical intervention
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