What Triggers Breast Cancer Cells?

Breast Cancer is a very common variety of cancer affecting millions of women worldwide. This is a condition wherein the tumour in the breast multiplies rapidly in an uncontrolled fashion and affects the healthy breast tissues and the lymph nodes. In order to prevent this growth and progression of the disease, timely diagnosis and detection are vital.

What are the causes of Breast Cancer in Female?

Some of the common risk factors that one should be aware of, in order to detect this disease in its earlier stages and check its subsequent growth are:

• Age: It is directly proportional to the risk of getting affected by this disease.

• Family history: If a close relative, such as mother, sister, daughter etc has this condition, it is a
red flag and one should take extra care and precautions.

• Alcoholism: Frequent consumption of alcoholic drinks and in large quantities

• Periods and Childbirth: Women who’ve had their first periods before the age of 12 and those who
have their first child after the age of 35 too are at greater danger.

• Exposure to radiation and medicines: If you’ve been exposed to chest radiation before, or are in the habit of consuming postmenopausal estrogen and progesterone medicines, then you need to get yourself checked regularly for this disease.

How can I Check myself for Breast Cancer?

• Lump or swelling in the breast or armpit region, which needn’t necessarily be visible, but can be felt. It may or may not be painful.

• Any changes in the texture of the skin due to inflammation in the skin cells. These can include scaly skin, thickening of the skin in any part of the breast, or dimpling of the skin, which can occur due to the accumulation of lymph fluid caused due to cancer cells.

• Abnormal discharge from the nipple, which may be thick or thin and can be of different colours are a tell-tale sign of this condition.

• The changes in the skin cells can lead to pain, tenderness and discomfort in the breast which can be a major sign of breast cancer.

• Changes in the nipple, i.e. inverting or retraction which can alter the appearance is a warning sign to visit an oncologist immediately.

• Discolouration of the skin, including redness or rash around the nipple is also a common symptom.

What is the most common treatment for Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer can be treated by different means such as surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or hormone therapy. The key aspect which needs to be emphasized is early detection and accurate diagnosis through regular check-ups, especially in your thirties.