Breast Cancer

what is breast cancer
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Breast cancer is a frightening disease for women. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer ranks second as the most common cancer affects women in the world. Approximately 8-9% of women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

The incidence of breast cancer in developing countries is lower compared to developed countries. The researchers believe that the socio-economic circumstances, lifestyle changes, and menstrual pattern, is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

What is breast cancer?


Breast cancer is malignant cells found in breast tissue, can be derived from the gland components (epithelial tract and lobules) as well as other components such as fatty tissue, blood vessels, and nerves in the breast tissue. Breast cancer often strikes women. However, this cancer also affects men, although rare.

Causes of Breast Cancer


Breast cancer occurs due to the changes / specific mutations in the DNA of breast cells. DNA is the chemical components that make up our genes. There are mutations of genes that are inherited (genetic), but there also seems to happen on its own without the knowledge of the exact cause.

The following are some causes of breast cancer:

1. Genetic factors - A woman's sister, mother or daughter had breast cancer have twice the risk than families with no history of cancer. Some medical experts said breast cancer is genetically transmitted.
2. Obesity
3. After menopause increases breast cancer risk from the effects of estrogen and progesterone greater.
4. Smoking - cigarette smoke in addition to having direct effects of toxic and carcinogenic, it can also affect the risk of chronic disease through hormonal mechanisms.
5. Alcohol - alcohol increases levels of endogenous estrogen thereby increasing tumor activity.
6. Factors of age (> 50 years)
7. Hormonal - especially the use of hormonal contraceptives.
8. Environment, such as pollution.
9. Genetic mutation.
10. Gynecological history. 
11. Lack of Physical Activity - Exercise can reduce the risk of breast cancer. The question is how much training is required? In a study of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a brisk walk at least 1:25 -2.5 hours per week can reduce the 18% risk of developing breast cancer. Runs 10 hours a week can reduce the risk even less. Physical exercise is recommended for 45-60 minutes, at least 5 days a week.

Breast cancer symptoms


Although breast cancer is one of the most deadly disease in women, but many do not know the symptoms of breast cancer. The first symptoms often appear is a lump in the breast area or near the armpit. Although not all lumps are cancerous, but it remains to watch.

Another symptom is swelling of the whole or part of the breast, accompanied by irritation of the skin of the breast and nipple pain.

Breasts blush and skin color have a scaly surface like an orange peel. The skin will feel rough and stiff, often difficult to heal wounds that arise and feel the heat as well as swollen.

Discharge of blood is also a breast cancer symptoms to look out for. Blood fluid that comes out is generally not much, but it is quite disturbing. In addition to blood can also be yellowish liquid such as white blood or even pus. This is usually followed by pain on the surface of the breast and itching in the area around the nipple. The appearance of the nipple was generally unchanged, which is seen flat or entered into.

When the nipple that goes into, along with the breast reddish, scaly or thickened, as well as discharge from the nipple other than breast milk, it means the cancer has advanced and become more difficult to handle.

Breast Cancer Treatment


Correct diagnosis will greatly influence the success of breast cancer therapy. Breast cancer treatment can be done through surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, radiation therapy, and most recently the monoclonal antibody therapy. The treatment is intended to destroy or limit the spread of cancer and eliminate the symptoms.

Radiation therapy is used to kill cancer cells in the affected area.

Meanwhile, a combination of chemotherapy drugs to kill cells that proliferate rapidly or pressing breeding. Hormone inhibitor drugs used to suppress the growth of cancer cells throughout the body.

Breast Cancer Prevention


The best prevention of breast cancer, which we know is to do a screening test, to determine the early existence of a potentially cancerous lump. Early detection allows a simpler treatment in these patients, the success rate is also much better than when the cancer is advanced stage.

However, here are some tips to help prevent breast cancer:

1. Exercise regularly. Recommended total duration of exercise 150 minutes a week for moderate intensity activity such as brisk walking and 75 minutes per week for strenuous activity like running or swimming. Exercise can lower estrogen levels are very closely related in triggering breast cancer.

2. Maintain weight and avoid obesity.

breast cancer prevention
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3. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, food and drinks with a lot of additives such as sweeteners, preservatives, and dyes .

4. A healthy diet with more vegetables, fruits, soy, and vitamin D supplements if necessary.

5. Avoid eating undercooked meat as part of the burning contains substances that can trigger cancer (carcinogenic).

6. Avoid saturated fats like fatty meat, butter, and full cream milk. While the healthy fats that can be obtained from olive oil, fatty fish, and nuts.

7. Breastfeeding. Mothers who are pregnant until just months before the age of 20 years, and who breastfeed their own babies have a reduced risk of breast cancer because estrogen at that time tended to decrease.

8. Avoid or limit as far as possible from outside the body of extra estrogen. For example, in those who use hormone therapy for menopausal problems.

9. Avoid exposure to radiation in the breast area. Avoid placing the phone close to the chest for a long time.

10. If you have a family history of breast cancer, do it early consultation with health professionals for further examination, because the risk of getting cancer is higher than individuals without a history of cancer

11. Do a self breast examination or a routine examination by a health care on a regular basis, to detect early abnormalities in the breast. A more sophisticated such as mammography is recommended in those with a family history of cancer, and age above 35 years. For breast self-examination techniques, you should contact the nearest health professionals such as doctors to notify an example, so that more accurate detection results when performed independently at home.


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