Breast Cancer

What Women Should Know
 

From relative obscurity, breast cancer has become one of the leading causes of deaths among women in the world. In 2001, there were about 200,000 cases of breast cancer reported in the United States, making it the second leading cause of cancer death in the US. It is the most common cancer affecting women in North America and Europe today.

But what is breast cancer and how do people get it?

Breast cancer occurs when malignant tumors grow in the breast and start to affect other tissues in the body. There is still no clear indications what creates of tumors, but cancerous cells usually develop in ducts or glands.

Although women's health organizations advise women to massage the breast daily and to feel for any lumps, it may a long time before a cancerous cell gets big enough for us to feel it. By that time, it may already be too late. Doctors make use of mammograms for early diagnosis.

Breast at risk

All women are actually at risk. The risk increases with the presence of some factors that are already part of the natural life cycle, for example, aging. Family history of breast cancer can also significantly affect the prognosis as heredity plays a role. Women who got their periods before they were 12 years old and those who never had or had children after 30 years old are also more likely to develop breast cancer.

There are also risk factors that medical science can help alter such as hormonal problems through replacement therapies. Doctors advise women to decrease their consumption of alcoholic drinks, exercise every day and decrease the use of birth control pills. Breastfeeding decreases the risk of breast cancer development.

Although there are some factors women can avoid to prevent breast cancer from developing, cause and effect relationships between these factors and breast cancer is still debatable. For women who are already at high risk, doctors often recommend a drug called Tamoxifen, which is known to decrease the risk by as much 50 percent when taken in five years. Still, like all medications, Tamoxifen has side effects such as hot flushes, vaginal discharges and sometimes even blood clots. Taking the drug can also lead to pulmonary emobolus, stroke and uterine cancer, although these are rare.

Another avenue women can try is taking Vitamin A supplements. Some studies find Vitamin A effective in decreasing the risk. Still, research is in the initial stages and proof is elusive. Other things beneficial to the breast cancer fight are phytoestrogens, which are present in soy, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C.

However, until research finds something concrete, the only way that women can lessen the impact of breast cancer is early detection. Daily self-examinations as well as annual check ups and mammogram tests are all methods to accomplish this. It is also important women know the early symptoms of breast cancer. Here are some of the signs that they should watch out for:

Lumps in the breast and in the underarms Scaling of the skin of the breast and of the nipple Redness in the skin of the breast and of the nipple Changes in the size of their breasts Discharges from the nipple

If you find any of these, it is best to consult a specialist to rule out breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Ribbon

These days almost every worthy cause finds itself a proper ribbon, without getting into the debate about the use of ribbons and how people use them, there are not many ribbons that I know of that are more important than the breast cancer ribbon.

Breast cancer is a dangerous enemy. While it is true, awareness of its risks and the understanding of prevention measures increased over the years. A few people are still not aware of breast cancer, and others prefer to live in some sort of denial.

So why is it important to use the pink ribbon and join the fight against breast cancer? First of all, it shows the most important thing a person can show, it shows that you care. It is a tangible sign you are giving a little of your time or energy to try and educate more people. This very small action can contribute to saving a life. This is not a joke, sometimes awareness is all that separates the ill from the healthy and the dead from the living.

Every October is international breast cancer awareness month. This is the time to try and do the most to increase the public awareness of this disease. The many different organizations and foundations that work all year round for a breast cancer cure dedicate the month to raising money for victims of breast cancer. Some of these patients have no money and no funds to treat the cancer, and these organizations help them get the support that they need.

So, wear one of these pink ribbons on your shirt or jacket, and show the solidarity you have with the breast cancer patients, the victims and the family and friends of those affected by this terrible disease. Remember, you can wear the ribbon all year not just the month of October. If only one person asks you about this ribbon - once a year, it will make a huge difference. Imagine hundreds, if not thousands of people like you doing the same thing every day. This viral education about breast cancer may save many lives.

Let's hope in the future the fight against breast cancer will achieve its goals. Modern medicine and science will find a cure; this disease will claim less victims; and more and more people around the world will live healthier and happier lives.

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