Breast cancer can be described as the uncontrolled growth of breast cells. The cancer develops as a result of cell mutation or abnormal changes in the genes responsible for controlling the normal cell growth. The warning signs for breast cancer are not similar in all the women; however, some of the most common symptoms include changes in the feel and look of the breast and nipples which may produce a discharge. The breast cancer disease is one of the few diseases that can be detected before attacking the body. There are two main techniques of finding out if you are suffering from breast cancer; the first technique is performing a physical breast examination and the second one is detection through mammography. Mammography tests have the ability to locate breast cancer in the infant stages which may help improve the chances of survival or dying from the disease.
Early detection also provides the green light to seek medical attention without undergoing a test to remove the affected breast. Since the inception of mammography, the number of deaths occurring as a result of breast cancer has greatly diminished. Mammography works by delivering un-harmful low doses of x-rays using general breast compression to produce images either on a computer aided digital mammography or on a film mammography. The levels of safety witnessed when performing mammography has seen the number of people performing the test increase several fold in the US and the rest of the world. To determine the existence of breast cancer cells, physicians usually examine signs of micro-calcifications that normally appear as small specks of granite salt on masses, mammogram or tumors.
The tumors are observed to determine whether they are malignant or benign; the common breasts cancer symptoms may also be looked at against other tests to determine the levels of conformity to the cancer. Regarding physical breast cancer examination, it is important to have regular tests carried out by a qualified healthcare professional. Physical examinations just as with the mammograms, should be conducted annually beginning when at age 40. During the examination, the physician will perform a number of tests that include observing changes in the breast and looking out for any sign of new lumps. Extensive observations are also carried out to examine whether there are signs of thickening on one area of the breast and changes in the skin.
Skin changes that are examined during the test include unexplained rashes in the nipple, and signs of nipple inversion. The healthcare provider will also look under your armpits for signs of lumps or abnormal growth. In a typical exercise, lumps that feel harder or unlike the normal breast tissues should be closely monitored for any signs of breast cancer. Additionally, although a discharge in the nipple may be a body’s natural way of reacting to a pull or squeeze. If you notice symptoms such as blood spurts, non milky discharges or a discharge that occurs without squeezing the nipple, it very critical that you consult a physician or seek treatment. Nipple discharges may also be caused by other infections that are unrelated to breast cancer.
Research has shown that breast cancer is mostly caused by predisposition to genetic abnormality; of these 10% of the cases are attributed an abnormalities inherited from either of the parents while about 87’% is caused by genetic abnormalities resulting from the various forms of the aging process. Despite its importance, the American Cancer Society no longer recommends the monthly self test examination for breast cancer due to the tendency of producing many false alarms. The other deterrent factor is based on the fact that regular tests have also not produced any results to show a reduction in the number of deaths occurring in people suffering from breast cancer.
Overall, there are a number of precautions and measures everybody should take in order to stay as healthy as possible. These includes; maintaining a healthy weight, limiting the amount of alcohol consumption, eating a well balanced diet, exercising regularly and not smoking. Whenever someone has been diagnosed with breast cancer, it is nobody’s fault. What is important is to work closely with the physicians to follow up on the treatment regime while leading a healthy lifestyle.