Preventing Breast Cancer

Cancer is a type of disease where abnormal cells in the body divide without control and therefore invade other cells. Cancer cells spread to other parts of the body through blood or lymph system. There are different types of cancer and one the most talked about type of cancer is breast cancer, This kind of cancer attacks both men and women.rnBreast Cancer forms after cancerous cells forms in the tissues usually in the ducts and lobules.rnBarest cancer in women is diagnosed through mammography and other imaging modalities. These methods have helped and continue helping save more lives because the patients are able to get treatment early before the cancer has spread so much. People with breast cancer are living longer and some even get cure if treated once the cancer is diagnosed.rnAfter you have been diagnosed with cancer, it is very important that you get medical help as soon as possible. You can see your gynecologist and he will advise you on what to do.Cancer in women is mostly caused by hormonal changes. A woman's hormone level changes throughout her life and the breast can also change. During pregnancy, the chances of getting cancer are very high because the hormones drastically changes. Induced abortion can also cause cancer at a later age in a woman. Breast Cancer Risk FactorsrnThe following factors are known to increase breast cancer in women:rnOld agernobesityrnsome breast conditions rnearly age at first menstrual periodrnhistory of breast cancer in a familyrnCertain genome changesrnRadiation therapy to the chest: Breast Cancer DiagnosesrnYou don't have to be sick for your doctor to examine your breasts. It is advisable that you visit your doctor three times in a year for breast check up.If you have any lump in either of your breast, don't ignore the signs. The doctors have mammograms conducted to check if there are any signs of cancer. Your doctor will look at the shape, size , check if they have any rashes or other abnormal sign.rnYou can also do self test at home, raise your arms over your head and let them hang by your sides, this will put you in a position to check f your breasts are fine. Its also good to check the lymph nodes near the breasts to see if they are enlarged.The lymph nodes should be soft and if you feel them hard, see your doctor soonest. Breast Cancer TreatmentrnIts now confirmed that you have breast cancer. The next thing to do is to start treatment because cancer is not like any other disease, you can die when alive and you therefore need immediate treatment and medication. There are several ways to go about breast cancer treatment, you can have:rnsurgeryrnchemotherapyrntreatment choice by stagernradiation therapyrntargeted therapy Your doctor will be in a better position to make the decision for you. Each option has side effects and your doctor will explain to you what will happen to you and how the results will be. During the treatment, health care support should be provided to the patient and relatives and friends should encourage the patient and give him/her hope that he will soon recover.rnAfter the treatment, the patient needs regular check ups to ensure that the cancer is completely removed from the body. Regular check ups with your doctor will also help detect diseases that can result from cancer treatment.rnBreast cancer has become a common disease but its only through healthy eating and regular check ups that the disease can be avoided.