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Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer: Help, Support and Overcome

Breast Cancer Overview

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer occurring in the UK. Almost 80% of the affected women are aged over 50 years but younger women too are at a great risk. It is the second leading cause of deaths by cancer in women. The breast of a woman is made up of fatty connective tissues and thousands of tiny glands which produce milk. In a lactating woman, the milk is delivered to the nipple through the tiny tubes which are known as ducts. The major symptom of breast cancer is the thickening of the breast tissue. If it is detected at an early stage, then its spread to the other parts of the body can be stopped. Most breast lumps are not cancerous in nature.

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The two major types of breast cancers are non-invasive breast cancer and invasive breast cancer. The former is found in the ducts of the breast and is usually confined within the breast. Invasive breast cancer can spread outside the breast but it does not mean that it will. Almost 80% of the breast cancer cases are invasive ductal breast cancers. The other types of breast cancer are invasive lobular breast cancer and inflammatory breast cancer. Age and family history also play a big role in the development of breast cancer.

Help and Support for Breast Cancer

The causes of breast cancer are still not very well defined. It is very difficult to say why one woman has breast cancer while the other woman has not. There are certain things, called risk factors, which can decrease or increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer. The first symptom of breast cancer is a lump on the breast. 90% of these lumps are not cancerous at all but you must have it checked by a doctor. You must also consult a doctor if you notice a change in the size and shape of one or both the breasts, and if there is blood filled discharge from the nipples. The doctor will confirm a breast cancer diagnosis only after routine breast cancer screening. Your GP will examine you and if he thinks that the symptoms need further screening, he will refer you to a breast cancer clinic.

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The breast cancer clinic will prescribe a battery of tests before confirming the condition. These tests are mainly mammogram, breast ultrasound and biopsy. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are essential for the good health of a woman. There is no definite link between breast cancer and diet but there are plenty of benefits for women who maintain a healthy weight, indulge in regular exercises and have a low intake of saturated fat and alcohol. It has been proved that regular exercise can reduce your chances of developing breast cancer by almost 30%. If you are past the age of menopause, then make sure that you are not obese or overweight. Again, women who breastfeed have fewer chances of developing breast cancer. The reasons are not very clear, though.

Overcome Breast Cancer

A multidisciplinary team should be given the charge of looking after a breast cancer patient. This team of specialists will work together to chalk out the best treatment plan for the patient. The main treatment options for breast cancer are surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. The doctor may prescribe one treatment or a combination of treatments. Breast cancer that has been diagnosed at screening will still be at an early stage while if you have serious symptoms, then the treatment will be different. Women need support during the treatment of breast cancer. Friends and family form a powerful support system and, hence, should be near the patient. The patient should also communicate with people in a similar situation and know as much as possible about the condition. You must take a break from your work so that you can recover successfully following the treatment.

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