The world is observing October as the "breast cancer awareness month." The month long activities highlight the importance of early diagnosis of the disease, and treatment options. Throughout the month, health organisations and NGOs focus attention on educating people about the danger of breast cancer.
Over a million women world-wide are diagnosed with the disease every year. According to an estimation after lung cancer, breast cancer accounts for the majority of deaths in women world-wide. In Pakistan, it the most common ailment among women of all ages. Almost one in every nine women in Pakistan is at risk to developing breast cancer at some point in her life. It is among the top 20 causes of deaths in Pakistan. It claims lives of 40,000 women annually. During the year 2015, about 83,000 such cases reported.
A pink ribbon loop is a symbol of breast cancer awareness. Especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October people, wear pink ribbons to encourage survivors, remember those lost to the disease, and to support the global efforts to defeat breast cancer.
KNOW ABOUT THE RISK FACTOR
While the causes of breast cancer are still unknown, a woman's risk of breast cancer increases if her mother, sister, daughter, or two or more other close relatives, such as cousins, have a history of breast cancer, especially if they were diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 or younger. About 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary, passed on from a parent.
There are several other risk factors such as obesity, alcohol, unhealthy diet, stress, no-breast-feeding, and high breast density.
Obesity is a risk factor of many diseases including breast cancer. An obese woman has high chances of developing breast cancer due to the production of estrogen by fat cells. Studies have proved that Weight gain during adult life, most often from about age 18 to between the ages of 50 and 60, has been consistently associated with risk of breast cancer. "This higher risk is because fat cells make estrogen; extra fat cells mean more estrogen in the body, and estrogen can make hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers develop and grow".
Regular intake of alcohol may raise the chances of developing breath cancer. Alcohol also may increase breast cancer risk by damaging DNA in cells. Compared to women who do not drink at all, women who have three alcoholic drinks per week have a 15% higher risk of breast cancer.
A high breast density on a mammogram is considered as one of the strongest risk factors for developing breast cancer. This breast density can be on a mammogram by calculating the amount of radio dense areas, which represent the breast tissue.
Prolong stress can cause adverse effects on human body. Unfortunately, the physical and emotional effects of stress more profusely affect women than men. Some studies have suggested a link between stress and the development of breast and ovarian cancer. In one study, researchers found that the risk of breast cancer was increased by 62 percent in women who had experienced more than one highly stressful life event, like divorce or the death of a spouse.
Women who do not breast-feed have a higher risk of breast cancer than those who breast-feed. The more months of breast-feeding, the lower the breast cancer risks.
Women who have a full-term pregnancy before age 20 have a lower risk of breast cancer than women who have not had children or who give birth to their first child after age 35.
Sedentary lifestyle and a diet high in saturated fat can increase the risk for breast cancer. Some research suggests that there may be a link between eating red meat and breast cancer. one study suggests that girls who eat a high-fat diet during puberty, even if they don't become overweight or obese, may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer later in life. Women who exercise four or more hours a week have a lower risk of breast cancer.
By age group, the risk factor of breast cancer is diagnosed in 4 out of 1,000 women in their 30s, 15 out of 1,000 women in their 40s, 24 out of 1,000 women in their 50s, 36 out of 1,000 women in their 60s, 38 out of 1,000 women in their 70s.
Myth and facts
The misconception that breast lumps means having breast cancer prevails, which is wrong. The truth is that only a small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be cancer.
It is untrue that breast cancer is contagious. You cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else's body. Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell growth of mutated cells that begin to spread into other tissues within the breast.
Antiperspirants and deodorants do not cause breast cancer. Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of United States are not aware of any conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer.
Symptoms
A painless lump in the breast or underarm, pain, swelling or tenderness in the breast. The skin of the breast may become dimpled or wrinkly. Be aware of any change in the size, curve, texture, or temperature of the breast.
Protection Regular self-examination is an important factor for early detection of the disease. If you discover a persistent lump in your breast or notice any changes in breast tissue, it should never be ignored. It is very important that you see a physician for a clinical breast exam.
Breast cancer stages range from early, curable breast cancer to metastatic breast cancer. Early detection can save the life of the cancer patient. Research has shown that getting the nutrients you need from a variety of foods, especially fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, can make you feel your best and give your body the energy it needs. Eating food grown without pesticides may protect against unhealthy cell changes.