Beat Cancer

Many things can affect your body and how your body responds to different issues has very important role in your life. Understanding your body is the key to healthy living. From heart diseases to breast cancer, women are at risk of serious health issues. A woman is an important part of our family whether it is our mother or sister or any other female member of the family. It is our duty to educate ourselves to prevent health risk factors. Breast cancer is one of the top women's heath concern. It is the second most common cancer in women. So it is very important for us to know what is it? Every woman has different breast and it changes with time and age. But if you find something unusual with your breasts, do consult your doctor without hesitating. Understanding the signs and symptoms of breast cancer you can easily find out the solutions for your unusual changes in breasts.

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers. It is cancer that develops due to breast tissue and when the cells of breast start to grow out of control breast cancer occurs. These cells form a tumor and this tumor is felt as a lump in the breast which is the first sign or symptom of breast cancer. It almost entirely occurs in women but in some cases, men can get it too.

Check these changes:

• Can you feel a lump?
• Any change in size or shape of the breast?
• Any unusual pain in part of the breast or the armpit?
• Any change in texture?
• Fluid coming from the nipple?
• Any rash or patchy skin?
• Shortness of breath?
• Yellow skin?

What causes Breast Cancer?
The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is not clear. It is thought that something damages genes in the cell and this makes cell multiply out of control.

Risk factors for developing Breast Cancer:

• 100% common in women than in men.
• Increasing age
• 5-10 % cases are due to genes inherited from a person's parent.
• Drinking too much alcohol.
• Obesity
• Lack of physical exercise.
• Early onset of menstruation or menopause after age 55.
• Family history.
• Having children late.
• White women have slightly more risk of getting breast cancer.

How is Breast cancer diagnosed?

At Initial stage: Doctor will examine your breasts and armpits to check for lumps or unusual changes. Then he will perform following tests to observe your issue properly.

• Ultrasound of the breast.
• Mammogram.
• MRI scan of the breast.

Biopsy: To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor will perform a biopsy. It is the procedure in which sample of tissue is removed from your body and examined under the microscope to look for abnormal cells

Final test: If you are confirmed to have breast cancer, then some more tests are performed to check whether is spread or not.

Prevention:

Breast cancer can be detected at an early stage with the help of breast screening. There may be some cases when women have developed breast cancer before they have the first mammogram and in some other cases, they have developed breast cancer between mammograms. Understanding your body is the key to healthy living. Every woman should be aware of her breasts. Check for any changes in your body before and after periods and do not wait for next appointment if you find something unusual in your body.

Breast cancer can be prevented by some simple steps:

1. Change in Lifestyle:

• Maintain healthy lifestyle.
• Avoid being overweight.
• Be physically active.
• Drink less alcohol and Don't smoke.
• Breastfeed your babies.

2.Screening: Earlier diagnosis is suggested to prevent breast cancer in future.

3.Surgery:  Surgery is advised by doctors to remove any suspicious lumps in breasts.

4. Medications: Proper medications by highly qualified doctors is prescribed by doctors to prevent the risk of breast cancer.

Cancer Treatment:

With the advancement of technology, there's been an explosion in treatment options available for breast cancer. A variety of treatment choices bringing hope and excitement amongst cancer patients. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and hormone treatment.

Manipal Hospitals is your destination for a complete range of solutions for cancer care and treatment. It has finest cancer specialists and besides conventional cancer treatments, the department of oncology has newer fields of nuclear medicine and stem cell transplants. You can find your doctors online or book your appointment easily at your fingertips.