Breast Cancer SOS: Risk Factors and Symptoms
Cancer breast, also called breast cancer, is a formation of tissue consisting of cells that grow out of control and abnormally within the mammary gland. Every year, many women are affected by this form of carcinoma, which is one of the most common cancers in Italy and abroad. In the United States there is the National Cancer Institute, while in our country there are many associations that they study how to fight it: ranging from the AIRC to the Umberto Veronesi Foundation, but the most current research has confirmed how important and fundamental prevention is: the sooner a tumor is recognized, the higher the chances of recovery. Early diagnosis can really be decisive.
To do this it is absolutely necessary to take into account every small change in our body and the most common symptoms of the disease, together with the risk factors: when you have even the slightest suspicion, the best thing is to go to a specialist, ask for a visit and if necessary, undergo appropriate tests, such as a full breast screening or mammography. Only he will be able to indicate the suitable therapy if there are positive results.
A practice that every woman should do on a regular basis is self-examination. If you don't know how to do it correctly, watch our video:
The risk factors
The causes of breast cancer have not yet been well identified. In general, however, the most recent studies have associated with the disease what are defined as risk factors, found in several patients:
- age: in most cases, this cancer is diagnosed in women over the age of 50 or following their first pregnancy after age 30.
- Familiarity: Researchers found that nearly 7% of women with breast cancer have more than one close family member who is sick. This occurs especially in the case of young patients.
- genetic predisposition: there is a load of genes called "oncosuppressors", or BRCA-1 and BRCA-2, on which about half of the hereditary forms of breast cancer depend.
- contraceptives: some studies have shown that contraceptive pills can increase the chance of developing breast cancer due to estrogen. They also pointed out, however, that the risk decreases significantly when a woman has stopped taking it for 10 years.
- the stage of ductal carcinoma in situ: this stage consists of a "stage 0" of the tumor, also called the precancerous stage, and affects the cells of the ducts and increases the risk of having cancer in the same breast. In most cases, however, it does not evolve towards a tumor but spontaneously regresses thanks to the body's defense mechanisms.
- overweight and obesity: taking care of ourselves by exercising and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle is a good practice to lower the risk factors of this disease.
- smoking and alcohol: two enemies that can seriously compromise our health in general
- diet low in fruit and vegetables
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The first symptom: the lump
The presence of a breast lump is certainly one of the most frequent symptoms of cancer breast. You can discover its presence by practicing self-examination: in most cases, it is hard, does not hurt and often has irregular edges. However this does not exclude that breast cancer may be soft and round. For this reason, it is absolutely essential that every lump we detect is monitored by a doctor who is experienced in diagnosing breast disease.
Beware of secretions
Unless it's breast milk, any kind of nipple discharge could be a sign of breast cancer. Even if statistically it is not this disease, it is still good to have the secretion analyzed to ascertain its nature. If it is light in color, there is a very good chance that it is mostly a benign tumor. If, on the other hand, there is blood present, it is best to get checked as soon as possible.
The other symptoms: from swelling to nipple retraction
In several cases of Breast cancer has been seen that the disease has resulted in swelling in all or only in parts of the affected area. Any kind of change in the shape of the breast, even if it has no lumps, could be a sign of cancer.
Pay particular attention to the swellings that affect the nipple area and that surrounding the breast, up to the armpits. In fact, the cancer breast in the more advanced stages it can also lead to the involvement of the lymph nodes in these areas of the body.
Two other symptoms to watch out for are nipple retraction and breast irritation.
In the first case you will have the nipple that seems strangely folded in on itself, while in the second the area of the breast will appear irritated. It is true that if the breast appears irritated, the causes could be many: when the skin of the breast takes on the "orange peel" effect or shows some other kind of imperfection, from redness to spots to wrinkles, deal with the problem with your doctor, especially if persistent.
Diagnosis and treatment
Prevention and early diagnosis are synonymous with a sharp increase in the chances of cancer recovery: the analyzes that should be carried out periodically by the women most at risk - but not only - are breast examinations, complete breast screening, mammography, ultrasound breast and, in some specific cases, also magnetic resonance, especially in the presence of very dense breasts or lesions that are difficult to classify.
The treatment to fight breast cancer varies according to the stage of the disease and includes radiotherapy as therapies, carried out in various cases both before and after the removal operation, chemotherapy, especially useful in the early stages of cell tissue formation cancer, and new hormone replacement therapy. However, most women with breast cancer, regardless of stage, undergo surgery to remove diseased tissue. In some cases, conservative surgery may be possible, saving the breast but by eliminating the part touched by the lesion, in others, however, it will be necessary to perform a mastectomy which provides for a "wider exportation of the breast.
This article is intended to help recognize the risk factors and symptoms of breast cancer, without any medical ambition. For this, we recommend that you contact specialists and experts for any suspicion.
Healing from cancer is possible and hundreds of women who fought and won their battle prove it to us every day. One such warrior is Lysandra. To confirm the importance of prevention, here is her beautiful and moving story, a fighter who defeated breast cancer ...
For more useful information on breast cancer symptoms, you can visit the website of the Veronesi Foundation.
