Breast cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), occurs when there is a rise in the lining cells (epithelium) of the ducts (85%) or lobules (15%) in the glandular tissue of the breast.
Breast cancer normally starts in the breast and spread to the other parts of the body especially to the bones. When the cancer begins to spread to other cells or parts of the body it is known as metastasis. No matter where the cancer moves to, it is still called breast cancer because it started from the breast which is the glory of women.
The question to be asked is, is it only women who suffer from breast cancer? The answer is NO. Men can also get breast cancer but the rate at which women are prone to the disease is higher than in men.
Breast cancer starts when the cells in the breast begin to grow out of control and this can start in only one breast or sometimes both breasts.
The first sign of a possible cancer is a lump in the breast. When this happens, the victim must quickly seek medical attention. Health experts will then use mammogram for diagnosis.
Although every cancer in the breast is classified as breast cancer, other names for the ailment relates to stages of the cancer.
According to medical experts within the American Cancer Society, when the breast cancer starts at an early stage it is known as Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS). At this early stage, the cancer cells are only inside the milk ducts.
Ducts are the tiny tubes that carry milk to the nipple. At this early stage, the cancer cells have not spread through the walls of the ducts into the nearby breast tissues. Women having breast cancer at this stage can be cured that is why it is always good to examine your breast to be aware of your status.
Early detection of breast cancer can be cured. As the month of October is a month for breast cancer awareness globally, women should take the opportunity presented by the season to see a medical Doctor to check whether they have breast cancer or not. Husbands and female friends may also take advantage of the breast cancer awareness month, to examine breasts of their spouses or friends respectively.
The other stage of the cancer is the invasive breast cancer stage. At this stage, it means the cancer has grown outside the place it started.
At the invasive level, it means the cancer can also spread to other parts of the body like the bones and the neck which could prove fatal.
Another type of breast cancer is Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) where the cancer cells normally block the lymph vessels in the skin. Normally at this stage, the IBC makes the skin of the breast look thick and reddish, and feels warm.
Women and men are prone to Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) where the cancer cells are presumed missing because they are not easily detectable.. There are three kinds of proteins that are tested in breast cancer patients. When a breast cancer tests negative for all three of these proteins, it means the cancer might be harder to treat because there are fewer treatment options at this critical stage.
The three proteins are estrogen, progesterone and HER2.
Treatment Of Breast Cancer And Who Qualifies To Treat A Breast Cancer Victim?
Medical experts have highlighted some effective ways of breast cancer treatment. Although cancer can be treated personally by the victim, it is advisable for the victim to also see a medical specialist to assist in the treatment.
According to health experts, breast cancer can be treated at the local level, systematic level and there are also basic or common ways of treating breast cancer.
At the local treatment level this means that the tumor in the breast can be removed by health experts without affecting the other parts of the body.
Surgery on breast cancer patients can be done differently depending on the stage of the breast cancer.
With the systematic treatment, health experts prescribe drugs for the patients due to the level of the breast cancer so that it will not escalate to other parts of the body. This is the reason why it is always advisable to see a medical Doctor to examine the state of your breast as to whether you are free from breast cancer or not.
The prescribed drugs can sometimes be taken orally or by intravenous injection into the bloodstream performed by a medical doctor. In the local treatment, drugs are prescribed for the patients depending on the level of the breast cancer.
The final treatment level is the common or basic one that is familiar to most people. At this stage, treatment is also based on the type of breast cancer. Constant massaging of the breast can help treat the disease and sometimes at the menopausal stage in ones life, one is prone to getting breast cancer so the food and costumes worn by people must be taken into consideration. One must avoid wearing brazier for spells.
Breast cancer can be treated by experts like surgical oncologist, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, plastic oncologist and others.
The preventive measures include maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active and avoidance if sedentary lifestyle. Healthy eating pattern is recommended just as it is tabled that people avoid alcoholic beverages, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Studies have shown that the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) using the combination of estrogen and protein increases the risk of breast cancer. Experts have explained that the procedure can also lead to increased breast density, making it harder to detect breast cancer on mammogram.
Food That Helps In Preventing Breast Cancer
Health experts have disclosed that in order to prevent breast cancer it is advisable to take in more of citrus fruits like orange, grape fruits, lemons, limes, tangerines since these fruits provides more Vitamin C to the body.
Leafy green vegetables are also good in preventing breast cancer. The vegetables include, kale, arugula, spinach, mustard greens and all others which contain carotenoid antioxidants, beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin.
Fatty fish like salmon, sardine and mackerel contain Omega-3 fats, selenium, and antioxidants like canthaxanthin which help to protect the body especially the breast from cancer.
Image credit: alarmy-2BF34MT
Other fruits like apples, berries, pears and peaches boost the body’s defense mechanisms.
As this month is a breast cancer awareness month, The Ghana Report as part of our corporate social responsibility encourages all women and men to avail themselves of the October special purpose vehicle to get their breasts examined for breast cancer. Remember Breast Cancer Is Real. #BreastCancerIsReal#OpenUpNow