We start directly with the most common symptoms of breast cancer, which are:
What are the signs of breast cancer?
How does it happen? What are the risk factors for it?
What is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
We start directly with the most common symptoms of breast cancer, which are:
1- The appearance of a new lump in the breast area, and according to the Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar, which quoted the American Cancer Society, the detection of the
presence of such a solid lump that is painless and irregular in limbs indicates that it is mostly a cancerous tumor, but breast cancer may be painful to the touch.
flaccid or round, and on rare occasions may be painful; Therefore, it is important to consult a primary health care physician for examination when any breast lump or changes appear.
2- Swelling of the breast or part of the breast (even when no lump is felt).
3- Skin irritation or dimpling.
4- The nipple has receded inward.
5- Redness, peeling of the breast area.
6- “thickening of the nipple/ breast skin.”
7- The appearance of secretions through the nipple (other than milk secretions).
8- Cancer may sometimes spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit or collarbone area, and cause a lump or swelling to appear in those areas, even before the original tumor in the breast tissue becomes large to the extent that it can be felt.
The doctor must also be notified of any swelling in the lymph nodes.
According to the Hamad Medical Corporation, although any of these symptoms may appear in cases other than breast cancer, if you have them, you must inform your doctor, so that he can verify the cause.
What is breast cancer?
Cancer is a disease in which the cells of the body grow out of control. When cancer begins in the breasts, it is called breast cancer.
Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is one of the most common and common cancers in women, according to Hamad Medical Corporation.
Breast cancer screening is the process of a woman undergoing screening for cancer before any symptoms appear.
The most common types of cancer
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women, affecting 2.1 million women each year, and it also causes the highest number of cancer-related deaths among women.
In 2018, an estimated 627,000 women died from breast cancer; That is roughly 15% of all cancer deaths among women, according to the World Health Organization.
The organization adds that while breast cancer rates are higher among women in more developed regions, rates are increasing in almost every region globally.
Factors that increase the risk of breast cancer
1- Having a family history of breast cancer is one of the things that increase the risk of developing it by double or 3 times, according to the World Health Organization.
2- Some mutations, particularly those in the BRCA1, BRCA2, and p53 genes, significantly increase the risk of breast cancer.
However, these mutations are rare and represent only a small percentage of the overall burden of this disease.
3- Early puberty of the girl before the age of 12 years; That is, the start of her period before this age.
4- Exogenous hormones also increase the risk of breast cancer. Women who use oral contraceptives, and women who are undergoing hormone replacement therapy, are also at greater risk of developing this disease.
5- Getting older, the older a woman is, the higher the risk of developing breast cancer.
6- Drinking alcohol.
7- Obesity.
8- Previous breast cancer, as this makes the woman more likely to have the cancer return again (relapse).
9- Reaching menopause (menopause) at a later age, meaning the later the age at which a woman stops menstruating, the more likely she will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
10- Never get pregnant, as women who have not become pregnant are more susceptible to the disease than those who have become pregnant.
11- Delaying the birth of the first child, as women who gave birth to their first child after the age of 35 are more likely to develop breast cancer.
12- Exposure to radiotherapy in the chest area during childhood or adolescence.
It is worth noting that breastfeeding contributes to protecting women from this cancer.
Factors that increase the risk of breast cancer
1- Having a family history of breast cancer is one of the things that increase the risk of developing it by double or 3 times, according to the World Health Organization.
2- Some mutations, particularly those in the BRCA1, BRCA2, and p53 genes, significantly increase the risk of breast cancer.
However, these mutations are rare and represent only a small percentage of the overall burden of this disease.
3- Early puberty of the girl before the age of 12 years; That is, the start of her period before this age.
4- Exogenous hormones also increase the risk of breast cancer. Women who use oral contraceptives, and women who are undergoing hormone replacement therapy, are also at greater risk of developing this disease.
5- Getting older, the older a woman is, the higher the risk of developing breast cancer.
6- Drinking alcohol.
7- Obesity.
8- Previous breast cancer, as this makes the woman more likely to have the cancer return again (relapse).
9- Reaching menopause (menopause) at a later age, meaning the later the age at which a woman stops menstruating, the more likely she will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
10- Never get pregnant, as women who have not become pregnant are more susceptible to the disease than those who have become pregnant.
11- Delaying the birth of the first child, as women who gave birth to their first child after the age of 35 are more likely to develop breast cancer.
12- Exposure to radiotherapy in the chest area during childhood or adolescence.
It is worth noting that breastfeeding contributes to protecting women from this cancer.
October is the month of Breast Cancer Awareness
Breast Cancer Awareness Month, corresponding to October every year in all countries of the world, is a month that helps to increase interest in this disease and provide the necessary
support to raise awareness of its danger, early detection, and treatment, as well as provide patients with mitigating care.
Fighting breast cancer
Comprehensive cancer control involves prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.
One of the most important population strategies to combat breast cancer is to raise public awareness of the problem posed by this disease, and the mechanisms to combat it, and to
call for the development of appropriate policies and programs in this field, according to the World Health Organization.
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is a test in which low doses of X-rays are used to examine the breasts for abnormal changes.
The results are recorded on X-ray films or directly on the doctor's computer, called a radiologist, for analysis and examination, according to Hamad Medical Corporation.
Mammography is used as part of the screening plan for breast cancer in women who do not have signs or symptoms of the disease.
Radiographic detection is generally considered safe, quick, and relatively painless.
Radiography is one of the best ways to detect breast cancer early, when breast cancer is in a stage where it is easy to treat, and before it becomes large enough to feel or cause symptoms.