BREAST CANCER :
THE NEW HORIZON REVEALED.

 What is breast cancer ?

What are the signs and symptoms ?

Who's at risk ?

What are my chances of getting it if no one in my family has it ?

What are my chances of getting it if someone in my family has some other cancer ?

Does the size of my breasts affect my chances ?

Does it spread from the breasts ?

If cured, can it return ?

Can I pass it on to my children ?

If I have it can I have children after treatment ?

Does cosmetic surgery make a difference ?

 

What is breast cancer ?
          Our body is made up of many types of cells. Normally, the cells grow and divide to produce more cells. This orderly process keeps the body health.
      Sometimes cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed. These cells form a mass of extra tissue called a growth or tumor. But not all tumours are life-threatening. They can either be benign or malignant.
     
 BENIGN TUMOURS ARE NON-CANCEROUS.
     Benign Tumours: The cells in benign tumours do not invade other tissues and do not spread to other parts of the body. Benign breast tumours are usually not a threat to life.

  MALIGNANT TUMOURS CAN BREAK AWAY AND FORM TUMOURS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY.
      Malignant Tumours: Cells in these tumours can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can break away from a malignant tumours and enter the blood stream or lymphatic system. That is how breast cancer spreads and forms secondary tumours in other parts of the body. We cannot totally prevent breast cancer, but when diagnosed and treated early, chances of survival are better.

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What are the signs and symptoms ?
     Early breast cancers usually do not cause any pain. In fact, when breast cancer first develops there may be no signs or symptoms.
    But as the cancer grows, it can cause changes that women should watch out for:

  1) Lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the 
      underarm area.

  2) Change in the size or shape of the breast.

  3) Discharge or tenderness of the nipple or inversion
      (pulled back) of the nipple.

  4) Ridges or pitting of the breast (orange-peel effect).

  5) Changes in the look and feel of the areola or nipple.
      (eg : scaly, warm, red or swollen)

  

If you have any of the above symptoms, you should consult a doctor immediately.

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Who's at risk ?
   
     The exact causes of breast cancer are not known. Studies indicate that the risk of breast cancer increase with age. However, even younger women below the age of 35 are now detected with breast cancer.

     Besides age, the presence of the following factors listed confers a higher risk of developing breast cancer in women:
  
1) Personal history of cancer in one breast.

2) Family history of breast cancer involving mother, 
    maternal grandmother, maternal aunts or sisters.

3) Early onset of menstruation (before age 12).

4) Late menopause (after age 55)
 
5) First childbirth after age 30.

6) Breast feeding children for less than 6 months.

7) Consumption of alcohol (more than 3 drinks per 
    week) and food rich in animal fat.

8) Obesity.

     But studies have also shown that at least half the women who develop breast cancer have none of the risk factors listed above, other than the risk that comes with growing older. Also, most women with known risk factors may not get breast cancer.

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What are my chances of getting it if no one in my family has it ?  
 The lifetime risk of breast cancer in Mumbai city alone is 1 in 30. These staggering figures are partly because of failure to detect it in the early stages.

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What are my chances of getting it if someone in my family has some other cancer ?
     Negligible. It appears linked only to ovarian cancers. So if someone has this type there's a higher chance.

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Does the size of my breasts affect my chances ?
      Size and shape don't matter.

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Does it spread from the breasts ?
    Yes, quite fast. If diagnosed, you are immediately screened to see whether it has spread. The most common risk areas are lungs, liver, bones and brain.

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If cured, can it return ?
     Theoretically, yes. But if detected in Stage I and cured it is as good as gone.

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Can I pass it on to my children ?
     Genetic predisposition is the most significant factor. That means it gets passed down.

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If I have it can I have children after treatment ?
    There are certain treatment options you can choose which will allow you to have children. But it could compromise your treatment. So not in all cases. Discuss it with your doctor.

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Does cosmetic surgery make a difference ?
     Neither breast augmentation nor reduction increases your chances.

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