Breast cancer

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer comprises more than 10 % of all cancer incidences among women.

Breast cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death as it caused more than half million death before 2004.

The National Cancer Institute places the five-year survival rate at 100 percent if breast cancer is caught in stage 1.

Self examination:-

Breast self-examination is a procedure performed by an individual to physically and visually examine herself for any changes in the breasts and underarm areas of the body.

The best time to do breast self-examination is one weak after the menstruation period or in a fixed day monthly for women who are no longer menstruate.

How to do breast self examination:

The most important changes to notice in breast self examination are lumps, nipple discharge, breast swelling, skin dimpling and nipple abnormalities.

1- In the shower: with flat soapy fingers examine each part of the breast and underarm area gently using the left hand to examine the right breast and the right hand to examine the left breast.

2- Opposite a mirror: Inspect your breasts while your arms are at your sides, then when your arms are high overhead, turn from side to side to inspect your breasts outer portion. By placing thumb and forefinger around the nipple pull gently outward and inspect any discharge.

3- While lying down: Place a pillow under your right shoulder and put your right arm behind your head, with your left hand press your right breast gently in a circular motions like clock starting from 12 o’clock to 12 o’clock again and move around the breast in smaller and smaller circles to examine each part in the breast then do the same with your left breast.

Risk factors:-

1- A woman with a breast cancer in one side has increased risk factor of getting cancer in her other breast.

2- Family history has a great role in breast cancer.

3- Early menarche or early start of menstruation in addition to late menopause too.

4- Being overweight is associated with increased risk of getting cancer breast.

5- Diet containing hormones as meat, cheese and milk.

6- Smoking is a risk factor for most of cancers including breast cancer.

7- Oral contraceptive pills or exposure to estrogen.

8- Exposure to ionizing radiations.

9- Low level of vitamin D may share in getting breast cancer according to new studies.

Protect yourself:-

1- Reduce diet which is high in fat, free sugar.