How To Recognize The Signs Of Breast Cancer

The World Health Organization reports that 6,85,000 women worldwide lost their lives to breast cancer in 2020, out of 2.3 million cases. Although it may affect women at any age, older age groups are more likely to get breast cancer.

Variable risk factors

Consuming tobacco

Drinking alcohol

exposure to radiation

oral hormonal contraception used without a prescription

premature cessation of breastfeeding

Non-changeable risk variables

According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer mostly affects women, with about 0.51–1% of males being affected.

Additionally, genetic predisposition is significant. This illness is brought on by high penetrance gene mutations in BRCA-1, BRCA2, and PALB-2.

What signs should I be on the lookout for?
• Examine your breasts for lumps; however, not all lumps may be malignant. Any nipple retraction; any bloody discharge per nipple; any changes in the color of the skin over the breast without a history of injury; and any retraction of the skin over the areola

How do you look within?

Head of Wellness and Wellbeing at Columbia Pacific Communities, Dr. Karthiyayini Mahadevan, states that all women over 20 should self-examine their breasts once a month, ideally after the start of the menstrual cycle.

When examining, they should be on the lookout for changes in skin tone, skin puckering, and retractions of the nipple-areola. They should also check with palpation if there is any underlying edema or nipple discharge.

According to Dr. Mahadevan, one should stand and use the following methods:

Examination

Exposed your breasts to the mirror while standing in front of it and observing with your arms at your sides, crossed over your hips, and lifted over your shoulders.

Palpation

Raise the right arm over the shoulders, place the middle three fingers of the left hand on the palmar surface, begin spiraling outward and palpating the right breast, and reach up to the nipple.

On the left side, it is done in reverse. Feel the region under the skin by applying pressure superficially, then immediately, and lastly deeply to explore deeper tissue. It may also be performed while lying down.

One should see the doctor if there are any obvious changes to the breast, discharge coming from each nipple, or any lump that is felt.

Lifestyle measures to lower the risk

1. Maintain a diet rich in nutrients.

2. Stay within a few pounds of your desired body weight.

3. Make time for appropriate physical exercise in your daily schedule.

4. Although avoiding stress could be challenging, you can decide how to deal with it.

5. Mindful activities like taichi and yoga encourage a positive outlook on stress.

If caught early enough, breast cancer is treatable.