By: Dr. Azizur Rahman
Today, breast cancer or breast cancer is a source of dread. Nowadays, breast cancer is prevalent. The percentage of women affected by breast cancer is 98%, but some males are also affected. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, more than 13,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually in Bangladesh. Those who survive suffer the loss of a vital organ.
What is breast cancer?
Before understanding what breast cancer is, you must first understand what cancer is. Our body is composed of numerous cells in proportional numbers. When these cells proliferate abnormally, we refer to this as cancer. The same holds for breast cancer. When a breast cell deviates from its regular growth pattern and forms a tumour or mass, it spreads throughout the body via the blood, lymph, or other means. This condition is known as breast carcinoma or breast cancer.
Causes of breast cancer
The exact cause of breast cancer is still unknown, but some common reasons exist. In addition, some factors are beyond our control. But we can avoid this disease by changing the modifiable factors. Among them, non-modifiable factors are genetic, hereditary or hormonal, which we cannot control.
Fatty foods may be responsible for breast cancer. People who eat little or no vegetables and only eat fatty foods have a higher risk of breast cancer. Researchers from the American Society for Nutrition said, “Fat food is one of the causes of breast cancer.”
Wear a bra at all times. Or you are wearing an incorrectly sized bra or bra. Because the entire day’s sweat and dry conditions have solidified in it. In addition, if the bra does not fit correctly, the breast cells cannot function effectively.
Marrying too late and having children too late. Women who have children over the age of 30 have an increased risk of breast cancer.
An unhealthy environment increases the risk of cancer. Moreover, these days women are also addicted to smoking or moderate drinking. They cause cancer. This can lead to breast or breast cancer.
Not breastfeeding babies also adversely affects the breasts. Some women do not breastfeed their babies for fear of harming their health. It damages different parts of the breast and increases the chances of breast cancer.
Expired duodenum should be avoided. Also, check the ingredients while buying duodenum, as it may contain ingredients responsible for breast cancer. For example, aluminium-based elements increase the risk of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is one of the physical damages caused by weight gain. So body weight should be controlled to avoid breast cancer.
Harmful pesticides, harmful cosmetics, chemicals or consumption of harmful foods can cause breast cancer.
Ways to prevent breast cancer
Breast cancer prevention requires first elucidating the factors that put women at risk for developing the disease. Nonetheless, as was previously noted, the precise aetiology of cancer is still unknown; nevertheless, several risk factors tend to be relatively consistent. This has informed the previous step’s arrangement. And some things can put you at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Since avoiding breast cancer’s causes is essential, avoiding the factors above reduces the likelihood of developing the disease. Some guidelines must be followed in addition to avoiding the behaviours above. Changing how you eat is one example.
Symptoms of breast cancer:
Breast cancer has no definitive cause; only prevalent causes have been identified. Despite following these principles, breast cancer can still occur! However, it is curable if detected in its early stages. Therefore, you must first comprehend the symptoms of breast cancer and determine if you have breast cancer.
Breast cancer may not have any symptoms at first. For example, no pain in the breast is felt at first. So the only way to detect breast cancer is to detect the tumour or lump. For that, while taking a bath, one should look around the breast to see if there is any lump or tumour. Doing it seven days before or seven days after menstruation is better. If a tumour or node is felt, it should be understood as a sign of breast or breast cancer.
Moreover, other symptoms appear later. For example:
Abnormally enlarged breasts
Change in breast colour
Swelling of part or all of the breast
Discharge from breast
Itchy nipples or sore breasts
Indentation or indentation of the nipple.
Breast cancer treatment
You should see a doctor as soon as you notice the symptoms of breast cancer because breast cancer treatments cannot be taken without a doctor’s advice.
Breast cancer can be eradicated with certain therapies when it is in its very early stages, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. These play an effective role in destroying breast cancer cells. Moreover, if this breast cancer is detected at an advanced stage, the affected breast may have to be removed. These should be done on the advice of experts.
Cost of breast cancer treatment
Since the word cancer is scary, the cost of its treatment will surely be a little higher! Indeed it is. Many people die from breast cancer. So the cost of avoiding this deadly disease is also high.
Although Bangladesh has its treatment system for breast cancer, most people go to India for the best treatment. In all, it may cost 50,000 to 15,000.
Does breast cancer get better?
The question that arises in the minds of many is, “Do breast cancer patients survive?”
For them, medical science is very advanced now. Advances in medical science make it possible to defeat even complex diseases like cancer. However, proper guidance and proper treatment should be taken from the doctor.
Breast cancer has no definitive cause; only prevalent causes have been identified. Despite following these principles, breast cancer can still occur! However, it is curable if detected in its early stages. Therefore, you must first comprehend the symptoms of breast cancer and determine if you have breast cancer.