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All About Breast Cancer | Causes, Symptoms, Prevention And Related Information

All About Breast Cancer | Causes, Symptoms, Prevention And Related Information
The breast cancer is not a new term in the world today.
It is one of the most common type of cancer among African, American, Asian, Australian and other women and even men around the world. Studies have shown that over one out of every seven women in the United States stands a risk of breast cancer, and it is not so different in other countries of the world.
Nigerian women, do not equate the ratio of the American women who suffer from this but they too suffer from it, just like in other regions of Africa. There are different types of breast cancers and they differ with their capabilities to spread to other tissues of the body. We will discuss everything you need to know about breast cancer, especially in relation to Nigerians and Africans as a whole in this article.


Definition Of Breast Cancer

The breast cancer can be defined as a collection of cancer cells on the cells of the breast. Asking whether men too suffer from breast cancer? Yes! It is predominant in the female folks, but in the United States, as of recent times there have been over 2000 annual cases of male breast cancer.
The complications associated with this disease can affect almost all other parts of the human body.



Symptoms Of Breast Cancer In Males

As we have earlier stated, men too suffer from breast cancer. In the United States of America alone, there are an average of 2400 cases of the cancer in males diagnosed annually, and the cases are far more severe than their female counterparts. The statistics might differ with countries and it is not so common in Nigeria, Ghana, Chad, Togo and other African countries.
However, the symptoms are not so different from that of the females and can be identified with a nipple discharge, a change or lump in the breast tissues or other similar symptoms. It can occur in the male folks at any age, but the most affected are the older males of about 60 years of age and above.


Symptoms Of Breast Cancer In Women

Breast cancer in African women and men
The symptoms of the breast cancer in the females are a bit similar to the symptoms in males as discussed above, however we will see a few more below:
- The swelling of all or a part of the breast.
- Lumps or noticeable swelling under the arm.They may be non-painful.
-  Some noticeable changes in the nipple.
- Changes in the size, feel, or shape of the breast tissue.
- Dimpling or irritation of the skin, which may be sometimes orange in color depending on your skin color.
- Sharp pains in the breast or nipple. The pain most times depends on the location, cause and growth of the breast cancer. The lumps are most times likely to be cancerous if immobile, hard, unevenly shaped and do not cause any pains. However, they can vary from soft, painless, and easily moveable to painful, hard, and immobile. Either ways, you must need to see your doctor.
- Turning inwards (retraction) of the nipple.
- Nipple discharge (which is not breast milk).
- Scaliness, redness and (or) thickening of the breast skin or nipple.
Ages affected mostly by breast cancer



What Are The Causes Of Breast Cancer?

As with so many other major health challenges in the world today, the causes of the breast cancer have not fully been discovered. However, the breast cancer has been discovered to be caused by some things including lifestyle, food, habits and even can be genetic.
All About Breast Cancer | Causes, Symptoms, Prevention And Related Information

Gene mutations are errors that occur in our genes after birth have also been discovered to be a major cause. They are not inherited. These gene mutations can be caused by our lifestyle and habits, which are unhealthy. Some of the causes of these gene mutations are smokingcancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens), viruses, chronic inflammation, hormones, obesity, and a lack of exercise. Excessive intake of alcohol can also cause breast cancer and should be avoided.
So in general, there are a few main causes of breast cancer:
- Radiation such as the sun.
- Other infections and viruses.
- Physical Activity and diet.
- Taking of tobacco and smoking.

Prevention Of Breast Cancer

You can prevent cancer by adopting a few healthier lifestyle, which do not even cost more than what brings the cancer. Remember that prevention is better than the cure. Cancer is no man's friend, and the pain and stress associated with it makes it far better to prevent on time and treat as soon as you notice the symptom.

There are some food that can help you prevent cancer such as:

- Colorful fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, watermelons, pumpkins, carrots and many others.
- Dairy products and low fat milks.
- Fiber rich food such as beans and other legumes.
- Soybean-based products


Other habits that can help keep cancer away from you include:

- Be physically active.
- Always keep your weight in check.
- Avoid smoking.
- Breastfeed your babies if possible, it helps.
- Avoid birth control pills especially if you are more than 35.
- Avoid post-menopausal hormones.

Treatment Of Breast Cancer

The treatment of the cancer all depends on the stage. It may either be radiation, chemotherapy or surgery.


Types Of Treatment Of Breast Cancer Through Surgery

If it is to be treated by surgery, then it is either through:
- Lymph node dissection: This is the removal of a lymph node through surgery.
- Mammaplasty: This is a plastic surgery to either reconstruct the breast or increase its size.
- Mastectomy: This is the removal of the breast or part of it through surgery.
- Lumpectomy: This is a removal of a tumor or lump in the breast through surgery.
- Tissue expansion: This is the inserting of a balloon under the skin, then gradually expanding it so as to stretch and grow the skin and surrounding tissue.

Treatment Of Breast Cancer Through Medications

There are about four ways of doing this:
- Chemotherapy: The killing of the cells that are multiplying too quickly.
- Hormone based chemotherapy: By treating the hormone sensitive cancers.
- Estrogen modulator: By mimicking the effects of oestrogen on various tissues. The tissues include the reproductive organs, breast and bones.
- Bone health: These help to build and strengthen bones.
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