Breast cancer – most people may have heard of this disease or have known someone who has it. It is one of the most common types of cancer for women, second only to skin cancer. The disease can commonly be found in breast cells. Although it is more frequently experienced by women, it can also happen to men.
In Canada, an estimated 26,900 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. According to studies, one out of eight women are expected to develop breast cancer during their lifetime and one out of 33 will die of it.
But because of substantial support for research funding and public awareness for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, the survival rates have increased and the number of deaths associated with breast cancer is steadily declining. These are due to earlier detection of the disease and a new personalized approach to treatment and a better understanding of the disease.
What are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer include:
- The appearance of breast lumps or the thickening of some parts of the breast that feels different from the surrounding tissues.
- Changes to the skin over the breast
- Change in the size, shape, or how the breast looks like
- Having a newly inverted nipple
- Redness or pitting of the skin over the breast, looking like the skin of an orange.
- Peeling, crusting, scaling, or flaking of the pigmented area of the skin surrounding the nipple or the breast skin.
What Causes Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer occurs when some breast cells start to grow abnormally. When the cells divide rapidly more than the healthy cells do and continue to accumulate, the forming of a lump or mass can be seen or felt in some of the areas of the breast. These cells may metastasize through the breast up to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
Researchers have found that some of the causes of breast cancer can be due to hormonal, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Still, there are no further studies that show why some people who have not encountered these risk factors still develop breast cancer, yet others with these risk factors present in them never do.
Here Are 7 Practices You Can Do to Prevent Breast Cancer
- Be Physically Active
Being active and exercising regularly is beneficial for maintaining good health. Studies also show that women who exercise for at least 30 minutes per day have a lower risk factor for developing breast cancer. Regular exercise is also effective for keeping your weight in check.
- Keep Your Weight in Check
Maintaining a healthy weight is an important part of pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Being overweight can increase the risk of developing different cancer types. This includes breast cancer, especially when you are on the stage right after menopause.
- Eating Fruits and Vegetables, Avoiding Alcohol Consumption
Eating healthy will help in lowering the risk of breast cancer. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables and keeping your alcohol intake in moderation. If you are in the habit of drinking more alcohol, cutting down or quitting will be essential to lower the risk of breast cancer.
- Avoid Smoking
Smoking has already been proven to have drastic health risks not just to those who smoke, but to second-hand smokers as well. On top of lowering the quality of life and increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other types of cancers (including breast cancer), smoking also causes you to have bad teeth, smelly breath, as well as wrinkles.
- Breastfeeding
Apart from having great health benefits for the mother and especially the child, studies also show that breastfeeding can also lower the risk of developing breast cancer.
- Avoid Taking Post-Menopausal Hormones
Post-menopausal hormones are not advised to be taken in a long time to prevent developing chronic diseases like osteoporosis and heart disease.
- Avoid Taking Birth Control Pills, Especially After the Age of 35 and to Those Who Smoke
Taking birth control pills both have benefits and risks. Taking it when you are young has lower risks than taking it at a later age. Taking these pills can slightly increase the risk of developing breast cancer. If you are showing signs and symptoms of breast cancer, consult a doctor immediately. Women need to know their family history especially those who have relatives who died or were diagnosed with breast cancer and other types of cancers. Being aware of your body is also very important for the prevention and early diagnosis of breast cancer. Consultations for breast cancer are also available online. You can book a consultation through an online doctor Vancouver for an easier and more efficient checkup. Prevention is always better than cure, so if you are experiencing any lumps, bumps, colour changes or any other changes in your breast, consult online doctor immediately.
