Breast cancer awareness: Know types, key symptoms and prevention
PTC News Desk: Breast cancer is a common cancer found in women in which abnormal cells grow out of control and forming tumors subsequently. In India, one women is diagnosed with breast cancer every four minutes, and for every two women diagnosed, one dies. Approximately cancer occurring in women comes with no specific risk factors other than sex and age. However the rapid increase of this disease also comes with certain misconceptions that people should be aware of.
Cancer is a disease of old age: Although the risk of striking breast cancer to teenagers is slightly low, yet it can occur in any age. However it is most likely to occur in women above 40s.
Obesity: The chances of having breast cancer increases in obese women but non obese women are no less prone.
IVF increases the risk: Doctors have maintained that there is no increased risk of breast cancer with IVF treatment.
All lumps in the breast signal cancer: Not all lumps in the breast are cancer. However any new lump should be examined thoroughly.
Breast injury can cause breast cancer: A breast injury produces certain fats which looks like cancer but an injury doesn't causes cancer.
With early diagnosis and right treatment, breast cancer can be cured. For early detection there are also certain symptoms that one should not avoid if posses.
Key Symptoms:
With certain health conditions also come several misconceptions that can cloud one's judgment. Cancer cannot be prevented but can be cured to certain extent. Early detection can make big difference. Cancer is a product of the processes essential to the life process.
Types of Breast cancer
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS): Early-stage cancer where abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct but haven't spread outside the duct.
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): Cancer that starts in the milk ducts and invades nearby tissue in the breast.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): Cancer that starts in the milk-producing glands (lobules) and can spread to other parts of the body.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A type that lacks estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2 receptors, making treatment more challenging.
Breast Cancer Prevention
Changes in lifestyle, stress reduction, exercise, a healthy diet, and timely family planning are all key prevention strategies. Encourage women to consider childbirth at a younger age, prioritise fitness, and promote adequate lactation to reduce risk factors. For those with a family history of breast or related cancers, seeing a genetic counsellor is essential for individualised treatment.
- PTC NEWS
