Breast Cancer

Life Extension

By DR. GARY S. SY

February 22, 2012, 2:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Some women’s breasts are irregularly shaped, uneven in texture, or have lumps in them. This is usually not a cause for concern. Lumps in the breast may cause no discomfort at all. Sometimes a lump is slightly tender or even painful. The appearance of a new lump is more important. There are five possible causes of a lump in the breast. The first is a cyst, which is a fluid – filled sac of tissue. The second is an infection, which usually involves additional symptoms (breast abscess). The third cause of a breast lump is fibrocystic changes, which are a thickening of the milk-producing glandular tissue. The fourth cause is a benign growth. None of these lumps is harmful. But the fifth possible cause of a lump in the breast is a malignant tumor.

More women get breast cancer than any other type of cancer – around one in 12 will have the disease at some point in their lives. A malignant tumor may develop in the breast and not spread at first. But by the time it has grown to about ¾ inch (about 20 mm) or more, it may have shed cancerous cells that metastasize (spread) through the bloodstream and the lymphatic system to other parts of the body.

What are the symptoms?

A lump, which may or may not be painful, develops in the breast, usually in the upper, outer part. The lump is not easily noticed and is most often detected by mammography or breast examination.

What are the risk factors?

Several factors contribute to the risk of breast cancer. Some of the factors that seem to make it more likely that a woman may develop breast cancer are the following….

• Getting older – more women in the older age groups develop breast cancer, with a doubling of risk every 10 years.

• When your periods begin and end – starting early and going on beyond the age of 55 seem to be linked with increased risk.

• Postponing pregnancy - women who do not become pregnant until the age of 30, or who never had children.

• Breast-feeding – a woman who has breast-fed one or more children has a lower risk than a woman who has never done so.

• Over weight – There’s a link between breast cancer and eating diet that is high in fat.

• Drinking and smoking

• Contraceptive pills – increased risk for women. The risk is short-lived and disappears 10 years after stopping the pill.

• Hormonal replacement therapy – for the first 10 years, the health benefits outweigh the slightly increased risk of breast cancer, but after that, the risk increases.

• Family history – one in 10 women who develop breast cancer have inherited some kind of genetic abnormality that makes them more susceptible to the condition.

What should be done?

The earlier breast cancer can be detected – preferably before you feel a lump – the greater the chance of cure. Studies have shown that regular mammograms reduce the death rate from breast cancer. Around the age of 40, all women should have their first mammogram (a special x-ray of the breast). Between ages 40 to 50, all women should have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years. After 50, all women should have mammogram each year.

How to examine your breast?

(1) Stand in front of the mirror and look at each breast to see if there is a lump, a depression, a difference in texture, or any other change in appearance.

(2) Get to know how your breast look and be especially alert for any changes in the nipple’s appearance.

(3) Raise both arms and check for any swelling & dimpling in the skin of your breast.

(4) Lie down with a pillow under your right shoulder and put your right arm behind your head. Perform a manual breast examination. With your nipple as the center, divide your breast into imaginary quadrants.

(5) With the pads of the fingers of your left hand, make firm, circular movements over each quadrant, feeling for any unusual lumps or areas of tenderness.

(6) Feel your nipple for any change in size and shape. Squeeze your nipple to see if there’s any discharge.

(Repeat step 4 reversing right and left for your left breast)