Breast Care Breast Cancer  Breast Cancer is the development of abnormal cells in the breast tissue, forming a lump of tumor. This is the most common type of cancer in women, and there are at least 15 different kinds, depending on the site of development. All have different rates of growth and varying tendencies to metastasize (spread to other areas). Breast cancer is a malignant growth of tissue that affects approximately 26,000 women a year in the UK. It is normally found when a suspicious lump is detected, but 90 per cent of all breast lumps are benign. Other signs of cancer are a change in breast size or shape, a swelling in the armpit or upper arm, nipple retraction, thickening, dimpling or unceration of the skin, and a lump on the nipple.
Women are recommended to examine their breasts once a month to detect any changes or lumps. If breast self-examination detects a lump, the family doctor should be consulted, who will normally refer the woman to a hospital clinic for further investigation. Mammography to locate the lump or ultrasound examination maybe carried out. Thermography can also locate a cancer nodule as it is hotter than surrounding tissue. If a lump is confirmed, it needs to be examined by draining some cells from it via a needle (needle aspiration), biopsy or surgical removal.
Breast cancer today is spreading at a phenomenal speed. More than 400000 women die every year globally from breast cancer-related causes.
What Sets It Off:  Like other cancers, breast cancer arises from the abnormal growth of cells, which may progress into a malignancy. No one knows precisely what causes the disease. Surprisingly, about 4 out of 5 women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the illness and many have no known risk factors. Still, women with certain characteristics are more prone to developing breast cancer.
How To Keep It Away: Changes in your lifestyle can reduce risks. Studies blame obesity and physical inactivity. Weight gain in midlife significantly increases the risk of breast cancer. Maintain a healthy body weight (BMI less than 25) throughout your life.
Minimise / Avoid Alcohol: It is the best established dietary risk factor for breast cancer.
 Consume Fruits and Vegetables: Eat as much as you can. The superstars include all cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower); dark leafy greens (spimach, fenugreek); carrots and tomatoes.
Exercise regularly: Studies have shown that habitual exercise provides powerful protection. Consistency and duration, not intensity, are the key!
Cut out High Glycemic-index (GI): Foods like white flour, white rice, potatoes, sugar and products containing them. These foods trigger hormonal changes that promote cellular growth in breast tissue.
Lifetime exposure to estrogen: This plays a fundamental role in the development of breast cancer. Minimise exposure to pharmacologic estrogen. Do not take prescription estrogen unless unavoidable. ********************************************* How To Lower Your Cancer Risk Breast Cancer - Who are at a risk of developing Breast cancer; Symptoms |
