Did you know ?

• Breast cancer is the most invasive cancer in women.
• The second main cause of death by cancer in women after lung cancer.

Hello dear steemians, How are you doing? Welcome to medicolife. Today we will be putting lights on one of the most prevailing condition in the world, THE BREAST CANCER.

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Most of the women love their breast. It is important in the part of sexuality and beauty. Due to breast cancer and mastectomy many of them loose their breast and hampers on their personal life. Okay lots of other things now lets get into the topic.

A Brief history of Breast Cancer.

When we give look at history, cancer is found as long as development of humans. Scientists have found that skeletal remains of 2,700 years old Russian King and 2,200 years old Egyptian Mummy have been diagnosed with prostate cancers. Breast cancer can also be traced back to ancient Egypt. The earliest recorded case of breast cancer was described on 1600 BC Edwin Smith Papyrus. The Edwin Smith Papyrus describes 8 cases of tumors or ulcers that were treated by cauterization. The writing says about the disease "there is no treatment." Ancient medicine from the time of Greeks believed that the breast cancer was generally caused by the imbalance between the fundamental body fluids that controls the body especially they thought it was because of excess BLACK BILE. Alternatively, patients thought it as a divine punishment.

In 18th, century many of the medical explanation was brought forward on causes of breast cancer including lack of sexual activity, curdled breast milk, more sexual activity, physical and chemical injury to the breast and various form of lymphatic blockage either internal or external clothing. Although Breast cancer was known inn ancient time , it was uncommon until 19th century. The improvement in sanitation and control of this disease result in dramatic increase in life span. Previously most of the women who have developed breast cancer had died too young. Additionally the women who breastfed and childbearing probably reduced the rate of breast cancer development in those women who survived to the middle age.

What is Breast Cancer ?

Breast cancer Is the cancer that develops from the breast tissue. It is caused by development of malignant cells in the breast. The malignant cells originate in the lining of the milk ducts and glands defining the malignancy as a cancer which may include change in shape of breast, fluid coming from the nipple, dimpling of the skin, or red scaly patch on skin. In metastatic cancer there may be bone pain, swollen lymph nodes, shortness of breathe or yellow skin.

What Causes breast cancer?

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Although, The precise cause of breast cancer are unclear , there are certain risk factors of developing breast cancer. Still, many women who are considered at high risk for breast cancer do not get it, while women with no risk may develop breast cancer.

• Among the most of women who developed cancer had significant factors of advancing age and family history of breast cancer.
• Risk increases for a women who has certain type of benign breast lump and increases significantly for a women who has previously had cancer of the breast or ovaries.
• The women with first degree familial history of cancer is two to three times more likely to develop the disease.
• The risk increases with age , generally the women more than 50 years of age are more likely to get breast cancer.
• Women who carry BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes have higher risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer or both. These genes can be inherited. TP53 is another gene factor that leads to increase risk of breast cancer.
• The exposure to the Estrogen for longer period of time appears to increase the breast cancer.
• Women who are overweight or obesity after menopause may develop cancer due to more estrogen level.
• Study have shown that the alcohol consumption have more chance as 1.5 times higher risk.
• Radiations, Hormone Replacement Therapy and cosmetic implants also plays an important role to cause breast cancer.

Types of Breast cancer :-

• Angiosarcoma
• Ductal cacinoma In Situ.
• Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
• Invasive lobular carcinoma
• Male breast cancer.
• Paget's Disease of Breast.
• Recurrent Breast cancer.

Invasive breast cancer is when the cancer cells break out from inside the lobules or ducts and invade nearby tissues, increasing the chance of spreading to other parts of body.
Non - invasive breast cancer is when the cancer is still inside the place of its origin and has not broken out. However , these cells can eventually develop into invasive breast cancer.

Symptoms and when to see a doctor?

You can find following of the symptoms :-

• Breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue.
• Changes in shape , size and appearance of the breast.
• Changes to the skin over the breasts , one breast becoming larger or lower , rash around the nipple , discharge from the nipple.
• Constant pain in the part of breast or armpit and swelling beneath the armpit or around the collar bone.
• Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer may resemble inflammation of breast and may include itching , pain , swelling , nipple inversion as well as warmth and redness throughout the breast.
• Another complex of breast cancer Paget's disease of the breast may present as changes in skin resembling eczema, such as redness, discoloration, or mild flaking of the nipple. As the disease advances symptoms may include tingling, itching, increased sensitivity , burning sensation, pain and discharge from nipple.
• Symptoms of Metastatic breast cancer depends on the location of metastasis. Unexplained weight loss , symptoms of fever or chills, bone and joints pain can sometime be manifestations of metastatic breast cancer.

If you find lump or change in your breast , even if recent mammogram showed normal, You should consult a doctor for prompt evaluation.

How do we make diagnosis of breast cancer ?

The diagnosis is made as a result of routine screening, or with some diagnostic tests and procedures.

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• Breast examination
• Imaging tests
• Mammogram
• Ultrasound scan
• MRI scan
• Biopsy

Possible treatment of breast cancer.

The treatment of the Breast cancer includes :-

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Drug therapy
• Hormone therapy
• Chemotherapy

Today I have talked about history of breast cancer, its symptoms and possible treatment. This much for today, I will be writing about treatment , management and prevention of Breast cancer on my next episode.

Sources :

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37136.php
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352470
3. https://mosaicscience.com/story/diagnosed-breast-cancer-surgery-lumpectomy-mastectomy/
4. https://www.maurerfoundation.org/a-brief-history-of-breast-cancer/
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_cancer#cite_note-100
6. https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/guide/what-causes-breast-cancer
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_cancer_classification
8. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/breast-cancer/treatment-options
9. https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/breast%20cancer

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