October is celebrated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month around the globe to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. This year’s theme is “RISE: Rally in Supporting, Serving and Screening Everyone,” which strongly urges women to go for mammogram screening, raise awareness, and spread hope for those who are fighting breast cancer.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops in breast cells due to mutation in the genes that regulate cell growth. This causes the cancer cells to divide and multiply uncontrollably, resulting in the formation of lumps within the breast. These cells may spread through to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
Causes of Breast Cancer
Researchers and doctors have listed factors like hormonal and lifestyle changes and environment as the risk factors for breast cancer. The disease can be a result of many factors, complex interactions, and also due to genetic make-up. Age, weight, early menstruation, not giving birth, or having the first child after 35 years of age also put you at a higher risk of breast cancer.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
In the early phase of breast cancer, there may not be any symptoms. But with a mammogram test, any abnormality can be detected.
Common breast cancer symptoms:
- Breast pain
- A lump in the breast/tissue thickening
- Swelling in the breast
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk
- Blood discharge in the nipple
- Inverted nipples
- Change in skin appearance around the breast area
- Unexplained and sudden change in the shape/size of the breast
Here are a few ways to prevent breast cancer:
- Breast cancer screening
- Routine self-examination Avoiding alcohol
- Exercising at least 30 minutes on most days of the week
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Healthy diet. It’s known that women who prefer a Mediterranean diet tend to have a reduced risk of breast cancer. This diet includes plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats (olive oil).
Guide to breast self-examination
Women should conduct breast self-examination every month to maintain breast health, spot changes and, detect cancer early. It is pertinent to note that most of the lumps are not cancerous, still, one shouldn’t ignore them.
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