What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Breast

Breast cancer or cancer of the breast is characteristically a lump in the breast. This disease affects both man and women. But it affects more women than men because of the sexual and reproductive nature of women. It is the second most common type of cancer worldwide after lung cancer.

It is usually marked by changes in breast size or shape and nipple inversion. Research shows that women in the United States have more incidence of breast cancer than any other women globally. Breast cancer is the most widespread type of cancer in the United States.

It normally does not start with any sign and symptom. But as time goes on it shows signs and symptoms such as skin changes and pain. Diagnosis often takes several weeks and involves all kinds of tests.

There are no known causes of breast cancer. You cannot contact it from another person because it is not contagious. But medical research has shown that certain women are more vulnerable than other women depending on certain risk factors.

Age is one of such factors. The chance of getting cancer increases as the age of a woman increases. Breast cancer is prevalent in women over 60 years old.

Another risk factor is personal history of cancer of the breast. This means that if a woman had cancer of the breast in one breast she is very likely to have it in the other breast.

Breast cancer can be genetic. So if your sister, mother or grandmother had cancer of the breast you may have it because it could be transferred through the genes.

Reproductive and menstrual history can contribute to the chances of having cancer of the breast. If a woman had her first child at old age she is most likely to have breast cancer. Women that had their first menstrual cycle before the age of 12 are at an increased risk of breast cancer. Women that underwent menopause after the age of 55 are also at an increased risk of breast cancer.

Race is another factor. Research has shown that white women are at an increased risk of breast cancer than Latin American, Asian, African, and African American women.

In-depth medical research has shown that there is no link between abortion or miscarriage and breast cancer. The same research also shows that being overweight or obese after menopause can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

Lack of exercise increases the risk of developing breast cancer because people that get little or no exercise become overweight or obese and being overweight or obese is one of the risk factors. Being physically active may help to reduce the chances of suffering from breast cancer.

Alcoholism also increases the risk of getting breast cancer. The more alcohol a woman drinks the more her chances of developing cancer of the breast.

Treatment of breast cancer includes surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiation treatment. Medical research shows that surgery is the best because other methods of treatments have more severe side effects than surgery. The side effects include abdominal pain, drug or medication addiction, kidney failure, anxiety, back pain, anemia, and allergic reactions such as skin rashes and eczematoid dermatitis.

I will advise you to talk to your doctor before taking any medication if you have a history of any disease in order to avoid the side-effects of using harmful medications.

But it is important to note that most women who have obvious risk factors don't get breast cancer. So the best way to ascertain your breast condition is to meet your doctor and explain to him your concerns. Your doctor may be able to advise you on how to reduce your risk.

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Breast Cancer Information
Breast Cancer Information