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Wednesday 18 July 2012

BREAST CANCER PART 1 With Dr. Chin Akano


BREAST CANCER PART 1

In this series i shall be looking at the breast cancer, some facts about it, risk factors, signs and symptoms, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis

I will start by saying that breast cancer is the cancer originating from breast tissue and is the commonest cancer in women and commonest cause of cancer death in women as well.

WHO CAN SUFFER FROM BREAST CANCER??

Both men and women can suffer from breast cancer, though it is 100 times commoner in women.
However due to delay in diagnosis of breast cancer in men, the outcome is a lot poorer in men than in women.

Furthermore any body who has reached puberty can suffer from breast cancer but it is commoner in women over 50 years and also kills more women over that age.

WHAT CAUSES BREAST CANCER ?

No one knows what causes it but there are certain factors that put someone at a higher risk of developing it. These are known as the risk factors and among them are:

* If a close relative has suffered from cancer of the breast

* If you have cancer in one breast already

* if you are a woman

* If you have developed any other cancer in any other part of your body

* If you are a smoker

* If you are obese

* If you are over 50 years

* Those who refused to breast feed

* Commoner in white women

* Those taking Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

* Over exposure to radiation eg during x-rays

* Excessive alcohol consumption

* Several others like taking of combined pills ( oral contraceptive, early menstruation, late menopause )

HOW CAN BREAST CANCER BE RECOGNISED?


Please note that you may have no symptom at all especially at the early stage of the cancer

If you do have symptoms yy far the commonest symptom is painless lump in the breast. This lump does not disappear after your period in women.

Other possible symptoms are as follows:

* Pain in the breast

* Discharge from the nipple : the discharge could be clear, bloody and coloured.

* swelling in the armpit

* dimpling of the nipple

* nipple retraction

* nipple redness

* Rash on or around the nipple

* Itching of the nipple

*Ulcer of the nipple

*Burning sensation to the nipple

* change in colour and size of breast [s]

Part 2 to follow: Watch out

Thanks for reading


Dr Chin Akano

4 comments:

  1. Dear Dr, my questions are somewhat personal to be published publicly. Where do i address my personal health questions to?

    Bluntprints

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pls I hv a client who is very afraid to have a mammogram done and is complaining of pain at back dat radiates to the left breast,she's been adding weight and so has her breast,the breast according to her feels heavy but no other symptoms like lumps or discharge,wat could ds be?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great piece Dr Chin. I delight in reading your health topics here and other places. I have some concerns over dimpling of the nipples as sign of possible cancer. Since my puberty age, i have always noticed occasional dimpling of the nipples especially when i remove my bra but there is no pain or lump. Is it something to worry about?

    Be blessed.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Doctor please throw more light on this "if you are a woman". Does being a woman make someone a potential cancer patient?
    Regards

    ReplyDelete