Important Things About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer becomes a disease that triggers among women and the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide after lung cancer. It has been a long medical issue that occurs among postmenopausal women however may also occur during younger years. Younger women with family histories of the disease have higher risk of having than without a health history. Despite most cases occur in women, some cases also show that breast cancer occurs in men.
Cancer cells originate from affected breast tissues that commonly found at the lobules or milk ducts inner lining. Cancers that begin to occur at the lobules are referred as lobular carcinomas while cancers from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas. There are various kinds and stages of the cancer and are categorizes according to their genetic makeup and aggressiveness.
Currently, many drugs are being developed to fight and prevent cancer from spreading such as selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). SERM are designed to resemble estrogen’s activity in the body but not the type of estrogen found in the breast. Two types of SRM are being used as preventive treatment such as Tamoxifen and Raloxifene. First approve by the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Tamoxifen is used as treatment while Raloxifene is mainly used for osteoporosis among postmenopausal women. Another medication that blocks estrogen effects is known as aromatase inhibitors.
Aside from chemical medications, surgical measures are made to prevent cancer. One of which is prophylactic mastectomy wherein the breasts are surgically removed and mostly applicable for stages that almost affect the whole part of the breast to prevent spreading throughout the entire body. One of the best known breast examinations is mammography; it is an examination that uses x-ray to detect cancer in breasts and uses for early detection. Mammography has decreases the mortality rate by 20 to 30 percent over the last 50 years. However, 10 to 15 percent of the disease cannot be detected by mammographs.
Meanwhile, the two important aspects regarding breast cancer prevention include risk reduction and early detection. Risk reduction is highly important than early detection since not all screening tests detect cancer. Among forms of risk reduction involves breasts surgical removal and ovaries. Early detection involves paying attention on the body’s characteristics since its only yourself knows your body than anyone else such as lump within the breast, a sudden discharge occur from the nipple, and dimpling of the skin.
A lifestyle modification is another way of preventing breast cancer. Healthy living is considered a method for good health. Exercise and diet are among the most prescribed prevention tips. Among the tips include limiting alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying physically and mentally active. Limiting fat intake is another consideration to prevent the disease despite no studies clearly associated obesity in increasing risks on breast cancer. Medications that contain acetaminophen and aspartame are also some things that needed to avoid and fight breast cancer and maintain healthy living.
