Introduction
Breast Cancer is cancer that arises in the breast tissue. It is the most common cancer in women and is the second leading cause of death by cancer in women (lung cancer is the first). In the United States, only 1% of cases of Breast Cancer occur in men.
About
Breast Cancer may begin in the milk glands or milk ducts, fatty tissue or connective tissue. The majority (90%) of Breast Cancers begin in the milk glands or ducts.
Cause
Risk factors for Breast Cancer include:
- Age - chances of developing Breast Cancer increase as women grow older.
- Family history of Breast Cancer. The risk of developing Breast Cancer doubles or triples if a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) has had Breast Cancer.
- Women who have had in situ Breast Cancer (contained entirely in the breast duct) or invasive Breast Cancer (where the cancer can spread to other tissues) are at higher risk of having Breast Cancer develop again, often in the other breast.
- Women who began menstruation early or who had an early menopause or a late first pregnancy are at higher risk of developing Breast Cancer.
- Women taking oral contraceptives or who are on hormone replacement therapy may be at slightly higher risk.
Signs and symptoms
In the majority of women, Breast Cancer is first noticed as a lump in the breast. The lump usually feels quite different from the surrounding breast tissue and cannot be felt in the same place on the other breast. In the early stages the lump may be quite moveable under the skin. In more advanced stages, the lump is fixed to the chest wall or skin and is difficult to move. There may also be small bumps or ulcers on the breast skin or a change in the texture of the skin (which resembles the skin of an orange, although not orange in colour). Sometimes there will be breast pain without a lump or the breast may be enlarged.
Diagnosis
If a lump that may be cancerous is found, your Doctor will order a biopsy where some cells from the lump are removed via a needle attached to a syringe (aspiration biopsy) or a small piece of tissue is removed (incisional biopsy) or the whole lump will be removed (excisional biopsy). If cancer cells are found, more tests will be performed to determine the nature of cancer present, as this will affect the type of treatment used.
Health care
Always consult your Doctor for diagnosis and advice. In no way is this information intended to replace the advice of a medical practitioner.
The American Cancer Society recommends that women undergo a breast physical examination by their Doctor every three years while they are between the ages of 18 and 40 and then yearly after the age of 40. Women should also ask their Doctor to show them how to examine their breasts and they should do a breast self examination every month once they reach the age of 18. It is important to see your Doctor if there is any change in either breast.
The American Cancer Society also recommends that women have their first mammogram between the ages of 35 and 40, then every one to two years between the ages of 40 and 49 and then once a year after the age of 50.
Diet tips
- Soy products contain substances called phytoestrogens , which may help fight Breast Cancer. Soy foods include soy milk, tofu, tempeh and soy beans .
- A diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in meat is associated with a lower risk of Breast Cancer.
- Obesity and a high fat diet may increase the risk of Breast Cancer.
- A diet high in fibre, fruits and vegetables may have a protective effect against cancer. Try to include at least 5 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables in the diet each day.
- Fruits and vegetables which are orange in colour (e.g. carrots, oranges, sweet potatoes etc.) are good sources of beta-carotene . This antioxidant may help to protect the body against cell damage and reduce the risk of Breast Cancer.
- Replacing saturated fats with poly- and monounsaturated fats may reduce the risk of Breast Cancer. Most animal fats are saturated fats. Most vegetable oils are either mono- or polyunsaturated fats. Cold-pressed virgin olive oil is thought to be the best oil for cooking.
- Regular alcohol consumption is a risk factor for Breast Cancer. Most cancer organisations recommend that women that drink limit their consumption to 1-2 glasses per day or cease drinking altogether.
Vits/mins/herbs
Always consult your Doctor before taking any dietary supplements for advice on any possible side effects or drug interactions. This is particularly important during cancer therapy, as many chemotherapy drugs act by blocking the effects of certain vitamins.
- Carotenoids supplements may help fight the growth of Breast Cancer cells.
- Phytosterols (plant sterols) may offer protection against Breast Cancer. It is believed they help boost the immune system and interfere with the growth of cancerous tumours.
- Pycnogenol (a flavonoid supplement derived from pine trees) may help destroy cancerous breast tissue, without harming normal tissue.
- Retinoic Acid, a substance similar to vitamin A , may destroy cancerous Breast cells.
- Huanglian, a Chinese herbal extract, has been found to have cancer-fighting properties.- Rosemary extracts have been found to increase the susceptibility of cancerous cells to chemotherapy drugs.
- Podophyllum hexandrum, a Himalayan herb, has been found to have anti-cancer properties and also to help protect normal cells against the damaging effects of radiotherapy.
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