Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the breast. It is the second most common type of cancer in women. However, this disease can also occur in men. Breast cancer occurs as a result of the mutations of genes that controls cell growth. These mutations lead to the uncontrolled growth of breast cells. The cells proliferate without any form of control. The cells eventually combine together to form lumps. Breast cancer can typically develop in the lobules or in the ducts of the breast. However, it can also develop in the fatty tissues of the breast. The malignant breast tumors are capable of metastasizing to other parts of the breast, and can also spread to the lymph nodes of the arms. Some of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer include the dimpling of the skin, abnormal discharge from the nipple, inverted nipple, appearance of scaly patches on the skin and so on. Other symptoms of the disease also include dyspnea, discoloration of the skin, bone pain, and the inflammation of the lymph nodes. There are some factors that increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Some of these factors include obesity, gender, sedentary life, excessive consumption of alcohol, exposure to radiations, genetics and so on. One of the ways of preventing this disease is by going for regular medical checkups. There are also ways of self-examining your breast. The earlier this disease is diagnosed, the better the prognosis. Physicians treat this disease by prescribing medications such as tamoxifen or raloxifene. These drugs can also be used to reduce the risk of developing the disease, especially in those that have a high risk of developing breast cancer. Other treatment methods that are used in treating this disease include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal and targeted therapy, surgery and so on. Scientists are presently working on ways of identifying and targeting breast cancer stem cells. These cancer stem cells are responsible for the uncontrolled growth of a tumor. Success in this project would lead to the development of medications that would effectively treat breast cancer
Warning Signs of Breast Cancer
The warning signs of breast cancer differ in people. However, below are some of the common signs and symptoms of the disease;
- Development of lump: This is one of the most important warning signs of breast cancer. Women are constantly reminded to examine their breasts themselves and look out for any mass or lumps. The presence of lumps in the breast might be an indication for a tumor, that might be either benign or malignant. It’s crucial to consult your physician if you notice any mass that feels different from other breast tissues.
- Change in the size or shape of the breast: Changes in the size and shape of the breast are one of the signs of breast cancer.
- Persons affected with breast cancer might also notice the discoloration of their breast. This includes the redness and pitting of the skin over the breast. This color of the breast might look like that of an orange.
- The breast might also have a newly inverted nipple
- Breast discharge: One of the symptoms of breast cancer is the bloody discharge from the nipple of the breast. This is abnormal, and the person involved should consult the physician as soon as possible.
- Patients might also present with lumps in her
- Swelling of the breast.
- Patients might also complain of discomfort and pain in the affected breast.
What Are the Causes of Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer occurs when the cells of the breast begin to grow uncontrollably. These unhealthy cells proliferate faster than healthy cells and eventually come together to become a lump. These lumps can then spread to other areas of the breast, and can also metastasize to other parts of the body. Overall, genetics have been identified as one of the most important factors in the development of breast cancer. Other factors that could contribute to the development of cancer include hormones, lifestyle and environmental factors.
What Are The Risk Factors Of Breast Cancer?
There are some factors that increase the risk of developing breast cancer. However, it’s important to know that having more than one of these factors, do not necessarily mean that you’d have the disease. It just shows that you should go on the medical checkup. Below are some of the factors;
- Gender: Although breast cancer can occur in both male and female. It mostly occurs in women.
- Age: The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age.
- Previous medical history of breast tumors: Having a previous history of the development of breast tumors, increases the risk of developing breast cancer.
- Family history: People with relatives that have had breast cancer, do have a higher chance of also developing the disease. However, studies have shown that a large number of those diagnosed with this disease do not have a family history of breast cancer.
- Exposure to radiations: People who get exposed to a large number of radiations frequently have a high risk of developing breast cancer.
- Obesity: Overweight and obese people have a high risk of also developing breast cancer.
- Given birth to the first child after the age of 30: Studies have shown that those that give birth to their first child, after the age of 30 do have a high risk of developing breast cancer.
- Genetics: There are some gene mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two of the common gene mutations that could lead to the development of breast cancer. These genes largely increase the risk of having breast cancer.
- Alcohol: People that consume excessive amounts of alcohol have a high risk of developing breast cancer.
Stem Cell Therapy and Breast Cancer
Scientists are presently working on ways of identifying and targeting breast cancer stem cells. These cancer stem cells are responsible for the uncontrolled growth of a tumor. Success in this project would lead to the development of medications that would effectively treat breast cancer.
References
Breastcancer.org. (2018). Breastcancer.org – Breast Cancer Information and Awareness. [online] Available at: http://www.breastcancer.org/ [Accessed 3 Mar. 2018].
Cuzick, J. (2000). Future possibilities in the prevention of breast cancer: Breast cancer prevention trials. Breast Cancer Research, 2(4).
Dontu, G. (2008). Breast cancer stem cell markers – the rocky road to clinical applications. Breast Cancer Research, 10(5).
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