| Breast cancer could very well be placed at | | | | termed by the medical facilities as high-risk |
| number one among all the killer diseases in | | | | groups for the disease. Topping this list are |
| women today. This type of cancer accounts for | | | | the women who smoke and consume alcohol on a |
| 26% of all the cancers in women. As such, it | | | | regular basis. Women who are obese due to |
| is largest killer cancer of all people in | | | | lack of exercise or a physiological problem |
| world, except maybe lung cancer. With so many | | | | come next. Breast augmentation surgeries such |
| women becoming victims of breast cancer each | | | | as breast implants were once considered to be |
| year, it should be thought that the medical | | | | a primary reason for breast cancers. This was |
| fraternity must be having very detailed | | | | in the days silicone gel was used as the |
| information about it. But that is hardly the | | | | implanting material. However, today with the |
| case. Despite the millions of women dying | | | | replacement of silicone gel with saline gel, |
| each year, the causes, mechanisms and | | | | the incidences of women getting cancer due to |
| treatment of breast cancer still remains | | | | implants has become drastically less. It is |
| shrouded in mystery. | | | | also found that breast cancer cases run in |
| | | | families. Hence if a close relative has |
| A simple layperson's definition of breast | | | | breast cancer, there is a great chance that |
| cancer is that it is an abnormal growth of a | | | | the other women in the family could get it |
| mass of cells known as a tumor anywhere | | | | too. This indicates a hereditary factor |
| within the breast. This growth is felt as a | | | | influencing breast cancer. |
| lumpy mass in the early stages of the cancer. | | | | |
| This is when the woman must rush to the | | | | Though the causes of breast cancer are |
| doctor. In fact any sudden inexplicable | | | | unknown, there is a proliferation of the |
| abnormality in the shape of the breast must | | | | amount of literature about its prevention. |
| be given medical attention immediately. There | | | | Most of these methods are just hogwash, but |
| is no cause for alarm, as most changes could | | | | there are many precautionary points that |
| be perfectly harmless. But it is wise to rule | | | | women must consider. Women must give high |
| out the possibility of blood cancer. | | | | priority to losing their body weight, |
| | | | especially if there has been a case of breast |
| Another aspect of urgent medical attention is | | | | cancer in the family. It is also a good idea |
| that breast cancer is fully treatable if it | | | | to have a regular checkup. The checkup could |
| is seen to early. In all women suffering from | | | | also be done at home with finger pressure. |
| breast cancer, the tumor will undergo an | | | | With two fingers, the entire breast must be |
| initial benign stage. At this stage the tumor | | | | gradually touched, poking at points to check |
| has not started its abnormal multiplication. | | | | if there is any undue hardness felt. |
| If it is removed when it is benign, the | | | | |
| cancer does not spread, and in most cases, | | | | Some women take drugs that contain estrogen |
| the woman gets totally cured of the disease | | | | in them. These could be for almost about |
| and leads a normal life. | | | | anything - from increasing the sexual drive |
| | | | to increasing the amount of milk during |
| Nothing can be said about how long the tumor | | | | lactation. But it must be remembered that any |
| will remain benign. That depends on several | | | | kind of hormonal disarray in the body could |
| inherent factors with the woman's physiology. | | | | only make matters worse. It is not yet |
| The period of benign tumor is another part of | | | | proven, but it can be assumed that an |
| breast cancer about which very little is | | | | increase in the amount of estrogen in the |
| known. But the presence of a tumor or such | | | | blood could hasten the chances of blood |
| other symptoms is a strong indicator of | | | | cancer. |
| occurrence of breast cancer. Apart from the | | | | |
| tumor, there could be changes in the | | | | There are some foods that have been |
| coloration of the skin over the breast. Other | | | | identified by dieticians to be good for |
| skin changes such as crimpling and folding | | | | preventing breast cancer. These include |
| could occur. The symptoms of breast cancer | | | | cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and legumes. |
| are also observed over the nipple and the | | | | Even oranges, tomatoes and other citrus |
| areolas. The nipples could become inverted | | | | fruits could have some effects. Soy and its |
| without reason, or there could be deformities | | | | products are also good. A low carbohydrate |
| in their shapes. The same could occur at the | | | | diet is suggested. At the same time, it is |
| areolas, which are the dark circles around | | | | needless to say that the woman must abstain |
| the nipples. In the later stages of the | | | | from smoking and alcoholism. |
| breast cancer, there could be a discharge of | | | | |
| fluids from the nipples. This discharge could | | | | Indulging in regular exercise and maintaining |
| be pus-like, or it could even be a discharge | | | | an overall positive outlook towards life |
| of blood. | | | | could be important to remain away from breast |
| | | | cancer. Some alternative therapists believe |
| Even though the exact causes of breast cancer | | | | that mental tensions could be one of the |
| are not known, there are some women who are | | | | causes of breast cancer. |