“October is marked as Breast Cancer Awareness month every year to increase our focus towards prevention, early detection & treatment of this dreaded disease”

WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor (a collection of cancer cells) arising from the cells of the breast. Although breast cancer predominantly occurs in women it can also affect men.

TYPES OF BREAST CANCER:-

Ø  Ductal carcinoma in situ

Ø  Invasive ductal carcinoma

Ø  Invasive lobular carcinoma

METASTATIS OF BREAST CANCER:-

When breast cancer is limited to the breast and/or nearby lymph node regions, it is called early stage or locally advanced. When breast cancer spreads to an area farther from where it started to another part of the body. The disease is called Metastatic Breast Cancer. Common sites of Metastasis are:-

Ø  Lymph Nodes

Ø  Bone

Ø  Lungs

Ø  Brain

Ø  Liver

SIGNS OF BREAST CANCER

·         A lump of any size or thickening  in the breast

·         Change in the size or shape of a breast.

·         Dimpling of the skin of the breast.

·         A nipple becoming inverted flattened or pushed in any direction.

·         A rash, flakes or crust (like eczema) affecting the nipple.

·         An unusual bloodstained or clear discharge from the nipple(an alarming sign).

·         A swelling or lump in the armpit or around collar bone.

·         Constant Pain in one or both breast.

WHO ARE AT MORE RISK?

·         Age: - Increases with ageing.

·         Family health history:- History of family member with cancer.

·         Radiation therapy to the chest

·         Reproductive and menstrual history:

                             a. Late Pregnancy

                             b. Women who never had children are at an increased risk

                             c. First menstrual period before age 12

                             d. Menopause after age 55

                             e. Long term menopausal hormone therapy

·         Being overweight or obese after menopause

·         Lack of physical activity

·         Drinking alcohol

·         Stress

HOW CAN ONE LOWER THE RISK?

Healthy weight is one of the best ways to protect from cancer. This is because fat cells in body make hormones. High levels of certain hormones increase your cancer risk.

ü  Women who are physically active have a lower risk of breast cancer than less active women. Try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on five or more days a week.

ü  Limit alcohol: Drinking alcohol increases your risk of breast cancer. The more you cut down on alcohol, the more you can reduce your risk of breast cancer.

ü  Don't smoke: Some recent research suggests that smoking may specifically increase the risk of breast cancer. Smoking causes 30 percent of all cancers.

ü  Breastfeeding helps to protect mothers from breast cancer. The longer a woman breastfeeds her baby, the more she reduces her breast cancer risk.

ü  Check your breasts regularly

DIAGNOSTIC METHOD INCLUDE:-

ü  Diagnostic  Mammogram

ü  MRI of the breast

ü  Breast ultrasound

ü  Chest x-ray

ü  PET scan

ü  FNAC

ü  Biopsy

PREVENTION BY SCREENING: LEARN SELF BREAST EXAMINATION:-

 SELF EXAMINATION STEPS: - How To Do Self Checks

• A breast self-exam is a check-up a woman does at home.
• The best time to do a self-breast exam is about 3 - 5 days after your period starts Your breasts are not as tender or lumpy at this time in your monthly cycle.
• If you have gone through menopause, do your exam on the same day every month

•        Place the left hand behind your head. With the middle fingers of right hand, gently yet firmly press down using small motions to examine the entire left breast.

•        Next, sit or stand. Feel the armpit, because breast tissue goes into that area.

•        Gently squeeze the nipple, checking for discharge. Repeat the process on the right breast.

•        Use one of the patterns shown in the diagram to make sure that you are covering all of the breast tissue.

•        Look at your breasts directly and in the mirror. Look for changes in skin texture, such as dimpling, puckering, indentations, or skin that looks like an orange peel.

•        Also note the shape and outline of each breast.

•        Check to see if the nipple turns inward.

Death rates from breast cancer have been declining, which was possible by better screening and early detection, increased awareness, and continually improving treatment options.

FRAMING THE PLAN OF TREATMENT:-

Ayurvedic method of treatment incorporated with conventional method of treatment such as Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Hormone Therapy, provides a thorough method to have a better life quality. Some herbs stimulate tumor suppressor pathways and compel the body to promote Apoptosis chemicals and reduce anti-apoptotic chemicals of Cancer Cells. Some herbs like Ashwagandha decrease angiogenesis around cancerous tissues, thus cutting off the nourishment of cancerous tissues. Turmeric and Ashwagandha also stimulate p53 tumor suppressor pathway. Some household herb like Fenugreek absorbs lactic acid and stops glucose supply to cancer cells hence they are deprived of their food and die.

A Good Diet & Lifestyle can
increase your survival and even
prevent a cancer returning

Awareness about a subject is Like Sunray illuminating Life.
THINK & STAY POSITIVE