Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The occurrence of breast cancer continues to increase as the world progresses. This remains to be a big challenge to be faced and braved by men and women alike.

What is Breast Cancer?

This involves the growth of malignant cancer cells. This results when the DNA is altered and uncontrolled cell growth occurs until a tumor is formed.

The cancer can metastasize or spread to other parts when the cells move through the blood to other organs like the lungs.

Although usually identified with women, men can also develop this. For every 100 women with breast cancer, 1 man deals with the same problem. The American Cancer Society approximated 1600 cases of breast cancer among men in a year.

Breast Cancer and Risk Factors

Breast cancer is less likely to occur at a young age. The cases are increased dramatically only at the age groups of 45, 50 and 60.

It is also claimed that having the menstrual cycle before age of 12 and waiting for the menopausal period after 50 are considered risks.

Family history also increases the risk, although statistics provide that more than 80% of breast cancer patients do not have immediate relatives with such problems.

Saturated fat diets are also bad. Avoid as much as possible food that are high in saturated fats.

Women who have never been pregnant have increased probability to have the cancer. Nuns are found to have high occurrence of breast cancer.

More than moderate alcohol intake and excessive smoking were claimed to contribute also to the incidence.

Estrogen therapy, for a considerably long period of time also gives a slight risk. However, some would claim that the benefits of such therapy far outweigh such slight risk.

The recurrent character of the cancer also does not remove the risk on women previously treated. They can still have it even if a tumor has been completely removed. This is due to undetected cancer cells that have remained in the body.

The Symptoms of Breast Cancer

The following are some of the many ways to detect the possibility of having to deal with the breast cancer problem.

1. Breast Lump or breast mass This is normally found only upon conducting a physical breast exam. It is firm and hard but painless.

2. Unusual change in the shape or size of the breasts

3. Mass or Lump found in the armpit

4. Breast Pain This may pertain to pain or unusual discomfort that occurs on one side only.

5. Nipple discharge This involves an abnormal discharge of clear or yellow or greenish fluid that looks like a pus.

6. Color change in the breast or nipple It is possible for the skin, nipple or areola to be scaly or puckered, reddened or retracted. Emphasized veins on the breast surface is also a manifestation.

7. Sensation or itching of the nipple

8. breast lump, tenderness, discomfort, pain or other unusual changes, for the males

In case the breast cancer is already in its advanced stages, the symptoms are evident by excessive weight loss, swelling of just one arm, skin ulceration or extreme bone pain.

Breast cancer has long been and continues to be a big obstacle in the lives of many women all over the world. Many organizations and movements have sought to awaken the consciousness of women with regard to this issue.

They say that the body is the temple of the soul. It is only imperative that one takes the proper action when required to face the reality of breast cancer.

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