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Breast cancer, which I have discussed in this column more than 10 times since 2003, that is 19 years; remains the most common cancers affecting women, killing more women than any other kind of cancer; except lung cancer. About 150,000 women in Nigeria, according to ea research in University of Jos, develop breast cancer each year, and 35% die of the disease.
The cause of breast cancer is still unknown. The best prevention is education, mammography screening, self examination and monitoring of high risk patients. Women whose female relatives have had breast cancer are more likely to be victims, than women from families in which breast cancer is not present.
Two genes BRCA1 & BRCA2, have accounted for at least 80% of the breast cancer in women with a significant family history of the disease, but 80 percent of the women, who develop breast cancer have no family history. High risk patients are defined as women who do not have children or who do not have them before their mid 30s, women who reach menopause later than normal, women who began menstruation earlier in life than normal. It should be noted that, the increased risk is minimal
Also women with ovarian tumors and women who use supplementary estrogen have been shown by some studies to be at increased risk, while the process of having many children and nursing them, which suppresses estrogen hormone activity, is associated with decreased risk of developing breast cancer. However, 55% of the diagnosed cases are for women with no known risk factor.
Cancer of the breast is generally, not found before the age of 30, and the incidence peaks around the age of 55. There is a second peak after the age of 65 when the incidence of breast cancer rises again.
Breast cancer usually begins in the ducts of the milk glands or lobules of the breast. The first noticeable sign is a lump in the breast. The lump may occur anywhere in the breast, but the most common site is the upper outer quadrant. Most lumps are not usually cancerous, but a biopsy must be performed to check the tissue involved.
Breast cancer typically has no symptoms, especially in its early stages when the tumor is small, hard to notice, and most easily treated, underscoring the importance of yearly mammograms as you clock more than 30, for early detection.
The most common physical sign of breast cancer is a painless lump. Most lumps are benign and some women may even be accustomed to feeling new ones pop up from time to time, but any lump that feels harder, or different from the rest of the breast should be checked by your doctor. Every breast feels different. There is no typical or normal feeling breast, but some changes to your breast can be warning signs of breast cancer including;
New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit )
Thickening or swelling of the part of the breast.
Irritation or dimpling of breast skin..
Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area of the breast.
Pulling in of the nipple area or pain in the nipple area.
Nipple discharge other than breast milk,including blood.
Change in the size or the shape of the breast.
Pain in any area of the breast.
Finding a new lump on your breast can be very scary, especially if breast cancer runs in your family, but not all lumps turn out to be breast cancer. Fibrocystic breast condition and cysts are common causes of lump.
Monitoring for additional symptoms like fever, bloody nipple discharge, unexplained weight loss and localised redness and pain, can shed more light on your condition. No matter the case, consult your doctor right away, it is better to err on the side of caution. If you experience any new changes to your breast that worry you.
Some uncommon symptoms to look for include;
Dimpling skin – that begins to resemble an orange peel can be a sign that a tumor is developing underneath.
Breast puckering – if you develop an indentation of the breasts when your arm is up, that retracts when you put your arms down, you may have breast puckering, a sometimes subtle sign of breast cancer.
Swelling, redness or darkening of the breast ie Inflammatory Breast Cancer(IBC) – is an aggressive form of breast cancer that can present with symptoms that mimic an infection.
Change in size and shape – uneven breast that changes in shape and size are natural, but rapid changes in shape and size may be an early have a physical examination of the breast every year performed by a Physician, a doctor, a nurse or a health official.
Women 40 years of age and older should have a mammogram every year.
Always be medically guided.
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