Men Are At Risk Of Breast Cancer Too
While more common in women, men also can get breast cancer. Although its size and development are different than women, men have breast tissue as well, and this means that they can get breast cancer, too.
Men are at risk if they have certain risks factors including a family history of breast cancer. However, male breast cancer is very rare and less than one percent of all breast cancer cases develop in men, which means that only one in a thousand men will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
READ: Breast Cancer Myths vs. Facts
Why Breast Cancer Awareness Is Important
- Pacific Gynecology & Obstetrics Medical Blog
- Why Breast Cancer Awareness Is Important
Every October, the color pink appears in many places as a reminder of breast cancer awareness and support for a cure. These efforts are important to highlight during October, but for women, they need to extend throughout the rest of the year as well.
Awareness of breast cancer risk and symptoms should be public knowledge, just as we know what to look out for when someone has the flu or a concussion. The more we know about breast cancer, the better the chances of detecting abnormalities before cancer develops or detecting cancer in its early stages when treatment has its highest potential for success.
Five things women need to know about breast cancer
- Risk factors for breast cancer arent always straightforward, but can include:
- Tobacco use
- Age
- Genetics
- A family or personal history of cancer, including breast cancer
- Self breast exams are necessary, and women should perform them from the comfort and privacy of their own homes about once a month. An ideal time is a few days after your period ends as your breasts as less likely to be tender or swollen during this time and you can establish a baseline for appearance and feeling. If anything new or unusual is detected, please contact your doctor as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for a professional exam.
The Importance Of Breast Cancer Screening
by slmainc | Health Tips |
The;statistics;are overwhelming: One in eight women will be diagnosed with the invasive type of breast cancer during their lifetime. In the current year alone, new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to exceed 231,000 with another 69,000 cases of non-invasive breast cancer. In spite of the decline in the number of cases in the U.S., breast cancer is still the second leading cause of death among women.;Understanding Breast Cancer
The structure of the normal female breasts include the milk-producing glands called lobules, the ducts and the surrounding tissues consisting of fatty and connective tissues.Cancerous growth;typically start in the ductal cells. Lobular cancer cases are not as common and cancerous growth in tissues are even less so.;
Risk Factors for Cancer
Breast Cancer Screening
Early Screening is Key
From all indications,screening;is crucial to breast cancer survival. Knowing your risk factors and making lifestyle changes to improve your health are steps in the right direction. Schedule your breast cancer screening at one of our Comprehensive Healthcare Clinics today.
Recommended Reading: What Are The Odds Of Breast Cancer Returning
What Are Some Signs And Symptoms Of Breast Cancer
Every woman should know how her breasts normally look and feel, so she can recognize any changes that may occur. While knowing what to look for is important, a woman should still get her regular mammograms and clinical breast exams, as these tests can help detect breast cancer before she even has symptoms, said Tuite.
Signs of breast cancer may include:
- Lump in the breast or underarm
- Swelling or thickening of all or part of the breast
- Dimpling or skin irritation of breast skin
- Localized,;persistent breast pain
- Redness, scaliness or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
- Nipple discharge
- Any change in the size or shape of the breast
What Can You Do Right Now
If you want to help, I recommend you support Breast Cancer Prevention Partners and the work they do in research, science and spreading the word about breast cancer prevention. I also recommend switching to a natural deodorant that is free of aluminum, parabens and other toxic chemicals.
A future without breast cancer is possible, I believe, but only if we spread the word.
For a more natural solution, check out my shop at NYR Organic for nontoxic deodorant solutions to protect yourself from breast cancer. Or JOIN as an independent consultant and get 25% off all clean, organic, TOXIN-FREE bath and beauty products and more!
Don’t Miss: Does Having Breast Cancer Make You Tired
Treatment Of Noninvasive Cancer
For ductal carcinoma in situ, treatment usually consists of one the following:
-
A mastectomy
-
Removal of the tumor and a large amount of surrounding normal tissue with or without radiation therapy
Some women with ductal carcinoma in situ are also given hormone-blocking drugs as part of their treatment.
For lobular carcinoma in situ, treatment includes the following:
-
Classic lobular carcinoma in situ: Surgical removal to check for cancer and, if no cancer is detected, close observation afterward and sometimes tamoxifen, raloxifene, or an aromatase inhibitor to reduce the risk of developing invasive cancer
-
Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ: Surgery to remove the abnormal area and sometimes tamoxifen or raloxifene to reduce the risk of developing invasive cancer
Women with lobular carcinoma in situ are often given tamoxifen, a hormone-blocking drug, for 5 years. It reduces but does not eliminate the risk of developing invasive cancer. Postmenopausal women may be given raloxifene or sometimes an aromatase inhibitor instead.
Dense Breasts Need Special Screening
Many women have dense breasts, which means their breasts have a high proportion of glandular tissue containing milk-producing cells and fibrous tissue as compared to fat. Some believe dense breasts may increase cancer risk, though age and weight are more important risk factors.
Dense breasts also make it harder for radiologists to detect cancer. As a result, women with dense breasts may need an ultrasound or MRI scan for follow-up testing.
Don’t Miss: Can Estroven Cause Breast Cancer
How Is Breast Cancer Treated
If the tests find cancer, you and your doctor will develop a treatment plan to eradicate the breast cancer, to reduce the chance of cancer returning in the breast, as well as to reduce the chance of the cancer traveling to a location outside of the breast. Treatment generally follows within a few weeks after the diagnosis.
The type of treatment recommended will depend on the size and location of the tumor in the breast, the results of lab tests done on the cancer cells, and the stage, or extent, of the disease. Your doctor will usually consider your age and general health as well as your feelings about the treatment options.
Breast cancer treatments are local or systemic. Local treatments are used to remove, destroy, or control the cancer cells in a specific area, such as the breast. Surgery and radiation treatment are local treatments. Systemic treatments are used to destroy or control cancer cells all over the body. Chemotherapy and hormone therapy are systemic treatments. A patient may have just one form of treatment or a combination, depending on her individual diagnosis.
Why Are Mammograms Vital For One ‘s Health
Why are mammograms vital to one ‘s health? The most important reason why is because mammography detects breast cancer. “Around 12% of women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer” . The most common type of breast cancer is called invasive ductal carcinoma. “This type of breast cancer is found in 80% of women” . Invasive ductal carcinoma remains to be a serious problem for men and women, and here is why.This type of breast cancer
You May Like: How Quickly Does Triple Negative Breast Cancer Grow
Saving Lives Improving Outcomes
Research isn’t confined to a lab. These stories from doctors, patients, friends and loved ones affected by breast cancer inspire us to continue looking for answers.
Metastasis
“We havent figured out how or why breast cancer metastasizes yet. But research is the only thing thats going to prevent my fate from happening to others.
How Can You Reduce Your Chances Of Getting Breast Cancer
As a woman, over the course of your lifetime there are many factors that can influence your risk of breast cancer. While some of the most important of these risk factors, such as being a woman, getting older or having a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer and genetic factors, cannot be changed, you can still aim to reduce risk of breast cancer through making healthy lifestyle choices and other risk-reducing strategies.
You can also improve your chance of better outcomes by being breast aware and knowing what to do about finding breast cancer early.
For more information, visit Cancer Australias Breast Cancer Risk Factors website.
Also Check: What Is Grade 2 Breast Cancer
Some Startling Facts About Breast Cancer
If you arent already getting your yearly mammogram or doing your monthly breast self-exam , these statistics might make you think twice about your breast health:
- Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer behind skin cancer. Its estimated that in 2017, 30% of new cancer cases diagnosed will be breast cancer.
- As of March 2017, there are more than 3.1 million women in the U.S. with a history of breast cancer.
- Its estimated that there will be 252,710 new cases of breast cancer and 40,610 deaths from breast cancer in 2017.
- Your risk of getting breast cancer doubles if you have a close relative with a history of breast cancer.
- 85% of breast cancer cases are in women with no previous family history of breast cancer.
Does A Benign Breast Condition Mean That I Have A Higher Risk Of Getting Breast Cancer
Benign breast conditions rarely increase your risk of breast cancer. Some women have biopsies that show a condition called hyperplasia . This condition increases your risk only slightly.
When the biopsy shows hyperplasia and abnormal cells, which is a condition called atypical hyperplasia, your risk of breast cancer increases somewhat more. Atypical hyperplasia occurs in about 5% of benign breast biopsies.
You May Like: How Is Radiation Done For Breast Cancer
Another Major Issue That Needs Public Awareness
Aside from breast cancer, another major issue that needs the peoples full awareness is the miserable condition faced by many of our veterans.
Were talking about our former service members who are suffering from service-connected disabilities and untreated mental health disorders, those who are having great difficulties in supporting themselves and their families because of their inability to find decent and stable jobs, and those who have become homeless because of utter poverty and lack of support.
If you have a vehicle thats just lying idle in your garage, you can use this to extend a helping hand to these struggling veterans and their families. All you have to do is to donate that vehicle to us at . In doing so, youll help us raise funds for reputable that cater to the needs of our veterans.
Well put your vehicle up for auction, with the proceeds going to these nonprofits. They use the funding were giving them to provide deserving veterans with quality health care, financial aid, housing assistance, employment opportunities, family support, educational scholarships, psychotherapy services, and many other benefits.
You will also reap valuable rewards from your charitable contribution. Youll benefit from our free professional pickup and towing service. We can provide you this service in the country since our vehicle donation program is nationwide in scope.
Your donation will also entitle you to receive a in the next tax season.
Treatment Of Locally Advanced Cancer
For breast cancers that have spread to more lymph nodes, the following may be done:
-
Before surgery, drugs, usually chemotherapy, to shrink the tumor
-
Breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy if the drug given before surgery makes removing the tumor possible
-
After surgery, usually radiation therapy
-
After surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or both
Whether radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy or other drugs are used after surgery depends on many factors, such as the following:
-
How large the tumor is
-
Whether menopause has occurred
-
Whether the tumor has receptors for hormones
-
How many lymph nodes contain cancer cells
Read Also: When Is Chemo Necessary For Breast Cancer
Removal Of The Breast Without Cancer
Certain women with breast cancer have a high risk of developing breast cancer in their other breast . Doctors may suggest that these women have that breast removed before cancer develops. This procedure is called contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. This preventive surgery may be appropriate for women with any of the following:
-
An inherited genetic mutation that increases the risk of developing breast cancer
-
At least two close, usually first-degree relatives who have had breast or ovarian cancer
-
Radiation therapy directed at the chest when women were under 30 years old
-
Lobular carcinoma in situ
In women with lobular carcinoma in situ in one breast, invasive cancer is equally likely to develop in either breast. Thus, the only way to eliminate the risk of breast cancer for these women is to remove both breasts. Some women, particularly those who are at high risk of developing invasive breast cancer, choose this option.
Advantages of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy include the following:
-
Longer survival for women with breast cancer and a genetic mutation that increases risk and possibly for women who are under 50 years old when they are diagnosed with breast cancer
-
For some women, decreased anxiety
Disadvantages of this procedure include the following:
-
Twice the risk of complications
Instead of having a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy, some women may choose to have their doctor monitor the breast closely for cancerfor example with imaging tests.
Eat Your Fruits & Vegetables And Avoid Too Much Alcohol
A healthy diet can help lower the risk of breast cancer.; Try to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and keep alcohol at moderate levels or lower .; While moderate drinking can be good for the heart in older adults, even low levels of intake can increase the risk of breast cancer.; If you dont drink, dont feel you need to start. If you drink moderately, theres likely no reason to stop. But, if you drink more, you should cut down or quit.
Recommended Reading: What Happens When Breast Cancer Spreads
Myth: If I Dont Have A Family History Of Breast Cancer I Wont Get Itfact: Most People Diagnosed With Breast Cancer Have No Known Family History
Many people think of breast cancer as an inherited disease. But only about 510% of breast cancers are believed to be hereditary, meaning theyre caused by abnormal changes in certain genes passed from parent to child.1 The vast majority of people who get breast cancer have no family history, suggesting that other factors must be at work, such as environment and lifestyle.
But doctors often cant explain why one person gets breast cancer and another doesnt. The biggest risk factors are simply being a woman and growing older. Over time, healthy breast cells can develop mutations on their own, eventually turning into cancer cells.
Still, if you have a strong family history of breast cancer on either your mothers or your fathers side, this is an important risk factor that should be taken seriously. If there are one or more cases of breast cancer in close blood relatives, especially before age 50, and/or other cancers such as ovarian and prostate cancer in your family, share this information with your doctor.
Book Your Breast Screening Appointment Today
When was the last time you got your breasts screened? Screening can prevent symptoms from developing and detect other cancers or diseases. At; Breast Care Center Miami, we offer personalized health care services for both men and women.;
If its been a long time since youve had your breasts screened, or you think youre at a higher risk of having breast cancer, book an appointment with us today.;
References
American Cancer Society. . Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures 2017-2018.
American Journal of Managed Care. . Study Links Smoking to Increased Risk of Breast Cancer.
Breastcancer.org. . Risk of Developing Breast Cancer.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. . What Are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer?
Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer. . Breast cancer and breastfeeding: collaborative reanalysis of individual data from 47 epidemiological studies in 30 countries, including 50302 women with breast cancer and 96973 women without the disease.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Screening Test For Breast Cancer
Tamoxifen And Raloxifene For Women At High Risk
Although not commonly thought of as a healthybehavior, taking the prescription drugs tamoxifenand raloxifene can significantly lower the risk ofbreast cancer in woman at high risk of the disease.Approved by the FDA for breast cancer prevention,these powerful drugs can have side effects, sothey arent right for everyone. If you think youreat high risk, talk to your doctor to see if tamoxifen or raloxifene may be right for you.
Why Do Dogs Lick
It is a question every dog owner has asked themselves at some point. The reasons for licking can vary from one action to another and with each species. Many people think that it is a sign of love or affection while others think it is more so a sign of submission. In some cases, licking may indicate a health problem. There are many reasons as to why your dog licks you and below we will explore some of those.
Don’t Miss: How Likely Am I To Get Breast Cancer