A woman's body is like a temple of purity. Her body parts are like a creator of nature. Her hands are for making food and feeding her family with utmost love, her womb is for carrying a new little human being, her breasts are for feeding her infant, she is a portal between the spiritual and physical world. But, with these blessings, she is more prone to the physical problems. And one of the most dangerous and common problems nowadays is breast cancer.
Breast Cancer is abnormal accumulation of cells in breasts. When cells of breasts start dividing more rapidly than healthy cells do and start to accumulate in the form of lump or mass, then it is diagnosed as breast cancer. It commonly begins in the milk producing ducts, or it may begin in the glandular tissue called lobules, or it may begin in any part of breasts. It can be developed in both men and women but women are more prone to this disease.
Causes of breast cancer
Genetic issue
Doctors' studies show that 5-10% of breast cancer has occurred because of the genetic history of women. If any one of the woman's ancestors had breast cancer, then it can be transferred to the next generation.
Increasing age
Ageing women are more prone to this disease. And as they age older and older their risk of getting diagnosed with breast cancer increases.
Radiation exposure
If a woman has had any radiation treatment in her past, then her chances of getting diagnosed with breast cancer is more than other women.
Obesity
Obese women are more prone to breast cancer.
Beginning of periods/menses at a young age
If a woman got her first period before the age of 12, then her risk of breast cancer is more.
First child at an older age
If the first of a woman is born after the age of 30, then she is more prone to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Not having any child
Women who have never got pregnant have a greater risk of breast cancer than the women with one or more child/children.
Drinking alcohol
Women who consume alcohol more often are at a higher risk of breast cancer.
Post menopausal hormone therapy
Women who take medications to control their menopausal symptoms are at a very high risk of breast cancer, the risk of breast cancer decreases when they stop taking the medications.
Pollution
Pollution is one of the common reasons for increasing breast cancer rates special in urban areas.
Data of breast cancer in world
Diagnose rate
In 2018, nearly 2 million breast cancer cases were diagnosed. It is the most common cancer across the world, around 12% of all new cases and 25% of all cancers in women was represented by breast cancer in 2012. It is the most common cancer among women 140 to 184 countries around the world. Since 2008, world breast cancer has increased rapidly by 20% and the mortality rate has increased upto 14%.
Survival rate
The 5- and 10 year relative survival rate for women with invasive breast cancer are 90% and 83% respectively. The overall 5year relative survival rate is 99% for localised disease, 85% for regional disease, and 27% for distant stage disease.
Data of breast cancer in India
Diagnose rate
One in twenty eight Indian women are likely to develop breast cancer in her lifetime. It is more (1 in 22) in urban areas than (1 in 60) in rural areas. In cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Bhopal, Chennai, Ahmedabad, breast cancer accounts for 25% - 32% of all cancers in females. It's also more common in the younger age group of 25-50 years. More than 70% of the cases diagnosed in the advanced stage had poor survival and high mortality rate.
Survival rate
The survival rate in India is low because of late detection of breast cancer. Women are not self aware about this issue and they don't get to know that there is some problem in their breasts, and because of this many women are diagnosed in the advanced stage. Secondly women are too shy to talk about their private problems even with doctors, and because of this doctors don't get to know about women's problems.
Health risks in breasts cancer
- Changes in breasts can be observed if someone is suffering from breast cancer.
- If breast cancer is at an advanced stage, then it can spread to other parts of the body like lungs, liver, muscles, bones and brain.
- Change in color and size of breasts.
- Sometimes clear discharge comes out of nipples, and sometimes it may include a little amount of blood too.
- If cancer reaches the liver, there can be other health issues like jaundice, severe abdominal bloating, edema (fluid retention).
- If cancer reaches the lungs, there can be a problem of chronic cough, shortness of breath and other breath related issues.
- If cancer reaches to muscles and bones then you may feel stiffness in joints and the risk of bone injuries will increase because of lack of mobility.
- If cancer reaches the brain then you may feel to have blurry or double vision, confusion, headache, memory loss, mobility issues, speech difficulty and seizures.
- Because of breast cancer a woman can feel very weak, fatigue, loss of appetite, and unintentional weight loss.
- Your breasts can get swollen and Red.
Prevention from breast cancer
Exercise
Exercise at least 4-5 days a week. 30 minutes of exercise is a must on a regular basis.
Self examination
Women must be aware of their health care. They must be aware of the symptoms of breast cancer and do a regular examination of their breasts and body without any fear or shame.
Less consumption of alcohol
If a woman is a consumer of alcohol, then she must consume it in limited amounts. She must not become addicted to it otherwise she would get more prone to breast cancer.
Less postmenopausal hormone therapy
Menopause is a natural phenomenon and it doesn't require any therapy. But if a woman decides to take therapy, then she must take it in limited amount, because postmenopausal hormone therapy can be dangerous and the lady can develop breast cancer because of it.
Healthy weight
Women must maintain a healthy weight by doing yoga and exercise on a regular basis. Their BMI (Body Mass Index) must be accurate according to their age and height.
Healthy diet
Women must choose a healthy diet for themselves. What we eat has a lot of effect on our bodies. So, eating the proper amount of carbs, fats, and protein is very important.
Regular medical check-up
Women must do a regular medical check-up after every 6 months. Asking a doctor about your health checkup is a must because sometimes we can't find out our health problems and our body needs a regular medical check-up.
With healthy lifestyle and healthy food, women can stand at a lower risk of getting breast cancer. And in today's medical science era, the death rate because of this issue has decreased because of new technologies, early detection of this cancer can be treated easily, medications have become more accurate. So, having breasts doesn't mean we need to compromise with our health, if we eat healthy, if we do yoga and exercise on a regular basis, then we are less prone to this disease.
References
www.mayoclinic.orgwww.healthline.com
www.bcrf.org