Breast cancer is regarded to be one of the most common cancers in the world. Although both men and women can develop this cancer, it is more prevalent in women. A majority of the women have the probability of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Risk factors would be increasing age, family history and other external issues.
Breast cancer cells contain a variety of genes that remain in cooperation with a woman’s natural hormones, diet, and environment. There is a natural routine of the body in which certain genes keep the cells from having a nuclear reaction. If, for any reason, those genes become altered, they can no longer control the cells and this uncontrolled growth of cells eventually turns into a tumour.
In the recent past, breast cancer survival rates have surged due to advanced treatments for breast cancer, modalities for early detection and having a detailed knowledge of this disease.
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Types of Breast Cancer
Before diving into the steps for early detection of breast cancer, let’s know about the types of cancer that exists:
- Angiosarcoma
- Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
- Inflammatory breast cancer
- Invasive lobular carcinoma
- Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)
- Male breast cancer
- Paget’s disease of the breast
- Recurrent breast cancer
Breast Cancer Risk Factors
As mentioned before, there are a few risk factors that can increase the possibility of the development of cancerous cells. You should keep these factors in mind and discuss with the doctor when you go for a regular checkup. These factors involve:
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Age
Almost 80 per cent of breast cancer is diagnosed in people over the age of fifty.
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Personal History of Breast Cancer
If an individual has developed cancer in one breast, there is a high chance that it will spread to the other breast as well.
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Family History
If there is a person in your immediate family or any close relative who has suffered from this cancer before or still has breast cancer, your breast health might be at risk too.
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Genetic Factors
Many people might not be aware of it, but certain genetic mutations, including changes to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, are associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer at some point. Since it’s not common knowledge, you can ask your doctor for more information about comprehensive biomarker testing, which may include genetic testing for inherited cancer risk.
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Menstrual And Pregnancy Factor
It has been observed that the menstrual cycle timeline is also linked with the risk of cancer. If an individual has menstruation before 12 years of age or has menopause later than the age of 55, they might become the primary patient for this disease. Other high-risk factors are associated with cases if women have late childbirth or have not done breastfeeding.
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Hormone Use
Women are usually advised to stay away from birth control methods due to various health risk factors. This is because these pills contain hormones that can increase the probability of developing breast cancer. Additionally, any type of hormone therapy used for menopause should also be avoided for the good health of your breasts.
If you want to lower the risk of cancer, developing a healthy lifestyle is the best way. This includes regular exercising, consuming a nutritious, healthy diet, and mitigating the use of drugs or alcohol. Always consult a nutritionist or a doctor for extra tips and health improvement treatments.
How to Detect Breast Cancer Early?
The foremost step for decreasing the risk of breast cancer is early detection. Here are a few ways to detect breast cancer early in the stage are:
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Mammogram
This is the most crucial test for breast cancer screening. This is because through this test the doctor can detect the chances of tumour development ages before the symptoms start showing. Therefore, it is advised to have regular mammograms after the age of 40 years. Additionally, a low-dose X-ray of the breast has proven useful in assessing palpable as well as non-palpable masses.
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Self-Examination
This examination can be done on a fixed date after menopause or four days after your period ends. This makes you self-aware about your breast health. If there is an anomaly on your breast that you are even slightly doubtful about, immediately consult a doctor.
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Pathological Test
This test can also be helpful for the detection of your health. It involves a blood test, urine test or any bodily tissues.
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FNAC
FNAC, also known as Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology, is a test where a fine needle is inserted into the lump to aspirate a few cells and spread on a glass slide to be studied through a microscope. This is an obligatory test for any kind of breast lumps irrespective of the age of an individual.
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Trucut Biopsy
In a case where FNAC comes up negative in the background of a high index of suspicion, a biopsy is performed. Trucut biopsy is an accurate alternative to fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of breast lesions with high diagnostic accuracy of 98%.
Be cautious and take all the necessary precautions to avoid development of breast cancer. If you are above the age of 40, opt for regular screening so that if there is a risk, it can be detected and treated early.
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