Breast cancer – Causes, Types, and Prevention
Breast cancer is a cancer that occurs in the cells of the breast. There are several types of breast cancer, and the kind depends on which cells in the breast turn malignant. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in women in the country. However, breast cancer can occur in women as well as men, but is more common in women. Read on to learn more about breast cancer.
Symptoms
A lump or mass that feels as small as a pea
Change in the contour, shape, or size of the breast
Marble-like hardened area underneath the skin
Redness of the skin on the nipple or breast
Change in the feel or look of the skin on the nipple or breast
A thickening or lump in or near the breast or in the underarm, which persists through the menstrual cycle
Clear fluid discharge or blood-stain from the nipple
The area looks distinctly different from other areas on the breast
Newly inverted nipple
Some people might not notice any breast cancer signs, so it is vital to undergo routine mammograms.
Causes
The precise cause for breast cancer is unknown. However, sometimes it is inherited. It is known as hereditary breast cancer. In addition, some genetic changes also aggravate the risks, such as changes in the BRCA2 and BRCA1 genes. These also put one at risk of ovarian and other cancers. Beyond lifestyle and genetics, the environment may heighten one’s susceptibility.
Risk factors
Being female: Women are more likely to develop breast cancer than males.
Age: The risk of breast cancer amplifies with age.
Personal history of breast cancer: If one has had breast cancer in one of the breasts, one may develop it in the other breast.
Personal history of breast conditions: If one has undergone a breast biopsy that detected atypical hyperplasia of the breast or carcinoma in situ, one’s chances of developing breast cancer are high.