In recent years, breast cancer has become the second most common malignant tumor among women in China, and the mortality rate is the first, which is a serious threat to women’s health. However, the cure rate of early breast cancer is very high.
The causes of breast cancer are still unclear, but most of them are related to estrogen, and some are caused by a series of carcinogenic factors and genetic background, resulting in genetic mutations.
What kind of people are prone to breast cancer?
In summary, there are several categories.
First, older women, the older they are, the higher the risk of breast cancer.
Second, those who are less than 12 years old at the first menstruation and older than 55 years old at the age of menopause.
Third, those who have had only one child and were older than 35 at the time of delivery, or have been childless all their lives
Fourth, having breast cancer on one side, or having had breast surgery
V is post-menopausal obesity and has received hormone replacement therapy during menopause.
Sixth, a family history of breast cancer.
In addition, living under high intensity stress for a long period of time, these are all high risk factors that predispose to the development of breast cancer.
How to detect and deal with breast cancer?
Early screening is very important. Early screening includes annual ultrasound or mammogram, and monthly self-examinations. Breast cancer can be diagnosed early, before a lump can be felt, and lumps smaller than 2 cm can be detected as early as possible through tests such as X-rays. With early detection and diagnosis, 96% of early breast cancers can be cured.
Clinically, breast cancer mostly appears as painless lumps. Most of the hard or irregular lumps found during self-examination or physical examination, as well as axillary lymph nodes need to go to hospital for further examination. For those who cannot feel the lump, suspicious cancerous calcifications can be detected using X-ray, and other methods such as ultrasound and MRI are also available, and if necessary, excisional biopsy is required. Patients with high risk of breast cancer should pay closer attention to their changes and choose medication or surgery for control if necessary.
Four simple steps for monthly self-examination
The breast is an ectodermal organ that originates from the skin and is a superficial structure of the chest wall. Generally, girls begin to develop their breasts from the age of 12 to 13, and they basically mature by the age of 15 to 17. Despite ethnic and racial differences, the mammary glands are roughly composed of 15 to 20 glandular lobes.
Breasts give women their unique curves and charm, but now that breast diseases are increasing at a rate of about 3,000 cases per year, women should pay more attention to their breast health for early prevention, early detection and early treatment. Women should learn self-examination techniques to take care of their breasts, and it is recommended to do self-examination once every two months in the shower to detect breast cancer as early as possible. Experts have summarized four simple steps of self-examination.
Facing the mirror with both hands down, carefully observe whether your breasts are symmetrical in size, whether there are any abnormal protrusions, whether there are sunken skin and nipples or eczema.
The left hand should be raised to the back of the head, and the left breast should be examined with the right hand, with the fingertips gently pressing the breast to feel if there is a hard lump. Use the same method to check the right breast.
Third, lying flat on your back, put a pillow under your left shoulder, bend your right hand under your head and repeat the “touch” method to check both breasts.
Fourth, in addition to the breast, also check the armpit for lymphatic enlargement. Then use your thumb and forefinger to squeeze the nipple and pay attention to any abnormal secretions.
Whether the breasts are healthy or not, we can judge by the following aspects.
Skin: normal color without edema, rash, rupture, superficial venous anger, skin folds and orange peel-like changes.
Nipple and areola: no local redness, swelling and other changes, no sunken nipples.
Nipple overflow: It is necessary to check whether there is any overflow from the nipple and carefully check whether it is spontaneous or after squeezing, unilateral or bilateral, and what is the nature of the overflow, etc.
Breast lumps: Check the location, shape, size, number, texture, smoothness of the surface, whether they are mobile, and whether they are painful to the touch, etc.
Morphology: whether the appearance, size and position of the breast are normal.
Breast cancer is threatening the health of more and more women, according to the Journal of the American Association of Retired Persons, Debbie Saslow, head of the American Cancer Society’s Division of Gynecologic Cancers. Dr. Saslow said that the following methods can help women significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer.
1. Sleep well.
A new study from Case Western Reserve University found that menopausal women who sleep less than six hours a night are twice as likely to develop breast cancer as women who get enough sleep. Dr. Cherrill, head of the new study, said that 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night can maintain normal body rhythms and help reduce the risk of cancer.
2. Weight loss.
A new study involving more than 4,000 women at Montefiore Medical Center in New York found that obesity can lead to a 30 percent increase in the risk of breast cancer recurrence and a 50 percent increase in the risk of death. Researchers analyzed that fatty tissue can increase estrogen levels in women, which in turn increases the risk of breast cancer. Fat also increases the level of insulin that stimulates tumor growth.
3, eat cauliflower.
A study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that women who eat more vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli can reduce the incidence and recurrence rate of breast cancer by 62% and 35% respectively. The vitamin C, carotenoids and polyphenols in these vegetables can play a key role in fighting cancer.
4. Drink less alcohol.
More than 40 studies have found that two glasses of wine a day can lead to a 21 percent increase in breast cancer risk, and regular drinking can also lead to a 19 percent increase in recurrence rates. Kaiser Permanente experts say that drinking alcohol raises estrogen levels in menopausal women, increasing the risk of breast cancer.
5. Be active.
A recent study by the University of North Carolina found that walking, gardening, planting flowers, and doing housework for 10 to 19 h a week can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 30 percent.