Abigail Adu a senior Nurse Officer from New Crystal Hospital has said that breast cancer is a disease where cells in the breast grow abnormally and in an uncontrolled way to form a lump, known as a tumor, and it is a respecter of no person if left untreated.
She said lumps may spread from breast tissue to other parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, or lungs. Breast cancer affects both men and women, although it is less common in men.
Speaking on Plan B FM’s weekly health show dubbed “APOMUDEN FIE” hosted by Ohene Addo, she said, some breast cancers, known as ‘pre-invasive’ or ‘carcinoma in situ’ breast cancers, appear inside the milk ducts or milk-producing lobules of the breast. Other ‘invasive’ breast cancers grow within normal breast tissue and may spread elsewhere in the body.
She said one can determine if she suspects breast cancer when a lump or area of thickened tissue in the breast (especially if only on one side), a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts, a change in the shape or appearance of the nipple, such as crusting, sores, redness or inversion where the nipple turns in instead of pointing out, changes to the skin of the breasts, such as dimpling looking like an orange peel, rash, or redness, discomfort or swelling in either armpit.
She explained that there is no specific cause for breast cancer but some lifestyle factors are associated with a higher risk of developing the condition which includes, drinking alcohol, which may raise estrogen levels in the body and is associated with a 30 to 50% increased risk of breast cancer, unhealthy weight Being
It obese is associated with a 20 to 40% increased risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women, smoking particularly if you started as a teenager, increases your breast cancer risk.
Other factors that can’t be changed and also impact your likelihood of getting breast cancer is your age The older you get, the more likely it is your cells become damaged and progress to cancer. Nearly 4 in 5 new breast cancers are diagnosed in women over 50 years, Family history women with a first-degree relative with breast cancer are twice as likely to get it themselves than women without one, dense breasts, Women with more dense tissue in their breasts visible only using an X-ray or mammogram may have a higher risk of breast cancer and previous radiation exposure women who were exposed to radiation therapy in the chest region for example, for childhood cancers may have 5 times the risk of breast cancer as women who were not” she explained
She concluded that there isn’t a way to prevent breast cancer completely. However, lifestyle choices such as maintaining a healthy weight and lowering alcohol consumption can help to reduce your risk of breast cancer.
If you are at high risk of developing breast cancer, your doctor may suggest hormone treatments such as tamoxifen, or a pre-emptive mastectomy.
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