Breast Cancer. These words are enough to get any woman anxious and paranoid. Most of us know someone in our lives who has had to experience this ghastly disease. In India, a woman dies of breast cancer every 8 minutes.
Each woman is different and has a unique body. Due to various factors like hormonal changes, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, the size of the breasts will change all throughout our life. However, your normal might be different from some other woman’s, which is completely fine.
Let us discuss the most common symptoms in the breast that women develop in the case of breast cancer. But even if you notice a similar symptom, it is best to check with a doctor first before jumping to any conclusion.
If you feel an irregular lump or bumpiness in your breast, you can get it checked. Don’t panic. Not all lumps are cancerous. They can be benign or malicious (cancerous).
Although itching in the breast is mostly due to dryness, it can be a symptom of inflamed breast cancer too.
Most rashes are not cancerous, but swelling in the breast, accompanied by rashes in a particular pattern should be immediately checked by a doctor.
Feeling sudden pain in any spot of the breast or near the armpit
While milk discharge is natural, bloody discharge from the nipples can be a sign of cancer.
The texture of the skin looks like the peel of an orange. They are tiny pits in the breast and uneven skin.
Swelling in the neck or armpit region should be examined by a doctor.
Breast Cancer cannot be prevented; it can only be diagnosed and cured if detected at an early stage. However, the below-mentioned tips can help lower the risk of breast cancer:-
Researches have proven that obesity increases the risk of cancer. Regulate your weight by inducing physical activities in your life and staying fit.
Women who exercise regularly for a minimum of 30 mins a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. Exercise also improves blood circulation in the body.
Smoking and alcohol consumption increase the risk of many cancers including breast cancer. Increase the intake of healthy fruits and vegetables in your diet.
Breastfeeding for a year or more reduces the threat of breast cancer. Breastfeeding women go through hormonal changes during lactation which slows their periods. This also lowers a woman’s lifetime exposure to estrogen (female sex hormone), which can promote breast cancer cell growth.
Excessive and unnecessary exposure to radiations like X rays can prove detrimental for breast health and cause cancer. Go for such tests only when prescribed by a doctor.
Chances of breast cancer increase with age. If you have had a history of breast cancer in your family, it is recommended to discuss with a specialist about the risk and get a screening test or mammography to get checked.
Early detection saves lives! Stay Informed and Stay healthy!