Breast Cancer

When the number of cells in the breast grows and develops with no control, this is called breast cancer. These cells can invade surrounding tissue and spread throughout the body. Large collection of uncontrolled network is called a tumor or lump. However, not all tumors are cancerous because it is not spread or threaten life. This tumor is called benign tumors. Tumors that can spread throughout the body or to attack the surrounding tissue are cancerous or malignant tumors. In theory, each type of tissue in the breast cancer can form, usually occurs on the channel or milk glands.

Screening mammography to detect tumors in the breast tumors need to be done because it took years to grow so that it can be felt by us, but can be detected by mammogram.

About Breasts

Consists of a collection of breast glands and fatty tissue that lies between the skin and sternum. Glands in the breasts will produce milk after a woman giving birth. Milk glands called a lobule or lobe to form milk-producing sacs. There are 15 to 20 bags of milk producers in each breast, which is connected with the accumulated milk ducts in the nipple. Time of the breast tissue consists of fat and fibrous tissues are interconnected, which binds her breasts and influence the shape and size. There are also blood vessels and lymph nodes in the breast.


Symptoms of Breast Cancer

In the early stages of breast cancer, we usually do not feel pain or no sign of it at all. However, when the tumor grew larger, the symptoms below may appear:

a. Lumps are not lost or permanently, usually not painful and feels hard to the touch or thickening of the skin around the breast or armpit.
b. Changes in breast size or shape.
Crease in the breast skin.
Discharge from the breast, usually in the form of blood.
Swelling or a tug on the nipple

Consult a physician if there are symptoms. Do not delay any longer because if late refractory breast cancer.

Am I at risk of breast cancer?

Risk factors for breast cancer is divided into:

Can not be changed>>
The factors that cannot be changed and increase the risk of
breast cancer

Can be changed>> the risk factors that can be changed from that is not the innate nature

However, keep in mind that all of these factors was based on the possibility, someone who has no risk factors can still get breast cancer. Screening and early detection is the appropriate tool to reduce the risk of death caused by this disease.

How can I prevent breast cancer?

Risk factors are most important in the development of breast cancer cannot be controlled by individuals. There are several factors associated with increased risk, but it is still not clear. In contrast to lung cancer are strongly associated with tobacco. Only a few risk factors that can be done to prevent breast cancer, such as: avoid hormone replacement therapy for long-term, having a child before age 30 years, breast-feeding, avoid excess weight with exercise and proper diet, limiting alcohol consumption.

For women with high risk, the risk of developing cancer can be reduced to 50% by taking a drug called tamoxifen for 5 years. Tamoxifen has side effects, such as vaginal disorders, which are harmless and few side effects which cannot usually life threatening such as blood clotting, pulmonory umbolus, stroke, and cancer uterin. Tamoxifen is not commonly used for prevention, but can be useful for some cases. There is data that says that vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E may protect against breast cancer, but still needs further research to prove it.

Currently, the most important for every woman to reduce the risk of death from breast cancer is screening mammogram on a regular basis, know how to do breast self-examination, and went to the doctor regularly.