All around the world today it's no longer news that the population of those with cancers are increasing. Worthy of note is the most common which is found in females; Breast cancer.
In order of occurrence, it used to be cervical cancer which in some countries was commoner except in the United States where it's endometrial cancer.
BREAST CANCER
This is a disease condition that occurs both in males and females but predominantly in females. It's a malignancy of the normal breast tissues.
It's a deadly disease condition that if not salvaged early will lead to death.
For the purpose of this post i will make it as simple as possible. Breast cancer is found to occur more in the reproductive age group as well as in the postmenopausal age group of women. However there are certain predisposing factors.
RISK FACTORS FOR BREAST CANCER
The following has been found to be associated with the occurrence of breast cancer.
- Age(Reproductive age group)
- Sex (Female)
- Positive Family history of breast cancer
- Previous history of breast cancer
- Use of steroids
- Alcohol usage
- Cigarette smoking
- Radiation
- Use of Oral contraceptive agents
- Puberty
- Early menarche
- Menstruation
- Pregnancy
- Lactation
- Late menopause
- Cancerous growth in any other part of the body etc
COMPLICATIONS OF BREAST CANCER
- Cosmetic distortion of the breast
- Bone pain
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Difficulty in breathing
- Jaundice
- Abdominal pain
- Drastic reduction of the quality of life
- Death
These are some of the complications that could arise from breast cancer.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO SAVE A BREAST CANCER PATIENT?
These are some measures that can be taken to save the life of a breast cancer patient depending on the size of the breast mass
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- Hormonal therapy
- Immunochemistry etc
HOW EFFECTIVE CAN THE TREATMENT BE?
Well this depends on the stage of the breast cancer. If it's noticed on time, then there is a better prognosis and vice-versa.
HOW TO DETECT A BREAST CANCER
The best and earliest method to pick up a breast cancer manually is simply by doing a bimanual breast examination on the breast. This can be done alone by an individual or by another preferably a medic.
HOW TO DO A BREAST EXAMINATION
In this, you are simply looking out for breast lumps in the breast. Kindly draw 2 imaginary lines across the breast so that one is vertical and the other is horizontal, therefore giving you 4 equal segments of the breast.
After this, kindly palpate each of the parts(quadrants) and also the region of the Breast close to the armpit noting any mass or lump felt.
This should be done often. If any mass or lump is felt kindly run and report it to the nearest hospital for proper medical investigations because it might be a malignant transformation of the breast.
