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Breast Cancer Awareness

Whether you are just into general knowledge about breast cancer, troubled about developing the disease, deciding on treatment options, or striving to live well post treatment, this guide comes in handy with key information on various aspects of the disease.

About Breast Cancer

As the name suggests, breast cancer is basically a disease marked by malignant (cancer) cells forming in the breast’ tissues i.e. abnormal and rapidly multiplying cells in the breast tissue. These normally manifest in form of lumps on the breasts for most types of breast cancer. Nevertheless, it’s necessary to understand that most breast lumps aren’t necessarily cancerous but are mere benign. Moreover, breast cancer almost entirely occurs in women, but men are vulnerable too. Statistics point it out as the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide and the second most prevalent cancer overall. An understanding of breast cancer is therefore vital, irrespective of who you are and where you come from The most important bit to appreciate though is that a diagnosis is never at all a death sentence. Breast cancer is curable.

Prevention and Early Detection

I can’t agree any more that prevention is indeed better than cure. Talking of prevention in the realms of breast cancer, this is a prompting call to everyone to not only get acquainted with but also be able to control some distinct modifiable risk factors of the disease by promoting;

• Healthy diet
• Physical Activity
• Regulated alcohol consumption
• A check on overweight and obesity

Keen observation of the above healthy habits has been proven to bear a substantial impact in mitigating breast cancer incidents in the long run.

However, should we get beaten at prevention then early detection comes to our rescue. As a matter of fact, since prevention strategies don’t always eradicate most of the breast cancers observed in low and middle-incomes nations, early detection has remained the backbone of breast cancer control in terms of improving outcomes and survival rates of breast cancer victims. Below is a summary of early detection methods:

1. Self Breast Examination

Through breast cancer awareness campaigns, women are taught and encouraged to carry out self-breast examination each month. Any detection of variations of abnormalities is then promptly reported and discussed with a physician.

2. Clinical Breast Examination.

• Physical Examination — In this case, a qualified doctor physically checks the breasts for lumps or any other physical change that may call for further investigation.
• Screening — An example is a mammogram: an x-ray that enables a specialist to check for any suspicious occurrence within the breast tissue.

Treatment and Support.

An array of treatment alternative for breast cancer continue to be discovered and improved, thanks to scientific advancements and intensified research in the field. It’s however extremely important to discuss viable treatment options with your cancer care team, as you will certainly want to compare the advantages of each treatment option against both the imminent and possible risks and side effects. Depending on the stage and type of breast cancer, there are several treatments alternatives.

1. Local treatments — By local we mean these treatments are administered directly to the tumor without the rest of the body being manipulated. They are more likely to be effective in earlier stage cancers. They include:

• Surgery
• Radiation Therapy

2. Systemic treatments — By systemic we mean they are capable of reaching cancer cells throughout the body. These incorporate administration of drugs either orally or directly injection into the bloodstream. They include

• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy
• Targeted therapy

Finally, as we wind up, it’s necessary to understand that cancer treatment and healing largely goes beyond just physical treatment. A great deal of psychological and emotional support is usually called for to rekindle and nurture the much-needed hope and strength by patients to fight through the traumatizing moments of the disease.

Obviously, your cancer care team always comes as your initial information and support source. Clinical-based support systems including nursing, nutritional advice, spiritual encouragement, rehabilitation services can also be reliable support sources. Not forgetting, family members, friends and the community at large qualify to be key support pillars for a breast cancer patient.

I am strongly convinced that acquainting yourself with this information will provide you with a lot of insight into the various aspects of breast cancer even as we mark the breast cancer awareness month. Purpose to be a source of hope, love and faith to all breast cancer patients worldwide.

Tags: About Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Awareness, Prevention and Early Detection of Breast cancer, Symptoms of Breast Cancer, Treatment and support of Breast Cancer, Warning Signs of Breast Cancer, Women Health