Breast cancer awareness month

October Breast Cancer Month

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that October will the month for breast awareness, with the 19th day this month becoming the world’s battle against this type of cancer.

The purpose of this initiative is to promote early detection; a timely diagnosis; and a comprehensive management of this type of cancer.

Breast cancer is often a silent disease that does not provide physical signals to the body until it is too late.

This type of cancer is more common than we believe, with more than 2.2 million cases in the past year, therefore, this is the most frequent cancer for the year 2020.

But here we must add that, survival rates have increased thanks to screening tests, treatment, and prevention actions in the population.

Breast cancer, the most common in recent years

The Global Cancer Observatory (GCO), reveals in its report that by 2020, worldwide there will be 2,261,419 cases, in other words, 11.7% of total, and 684,996 deaths.

But how does breast cancer develop?

This disease develops when breast cells start to grow abnormally, these cells have a faster division than healthy cells, and accumulate, which gives rise to a tumor.

Breast cancer is caused by mutations in DNA

Many times it can spread to as many parts of the body as possible, allowing metastasis to complicate the situation.

Breast cancer can affect both men and women

So, we should always perform a self-examination and consult a doctor for any abnormality we experience.

Factors that predispose the development of breast cancer

Some factors that predispose the development of cancer cells are:

• Gender
• Age
• Personal history of breast cancer
• Family history
• Women who are not pregnant.
• Hormonal treatment (at advanced age)
• Contraception methods
• Not have practiced breastfeeding
• Breast implants
• Radiation exposure
• Obesity or overweight
• Drink alcohol
• Smoke
• Sedentary lifestyle

Most of the time, it can be asymptomatic, but there are warnings that we shouldn’t let go unnoticed. Some symptoms may be:

• Lump in the chest or arm
• Changes in skin color and texture (swelling or peeling nipple)
• Breast enlargement or inflammation
• Sunken nipple
• Nipple discharge (can bleed)
• Breast pain

If you are going through this difficult situation or have a family member or friend fighting this disease, seek professional help, support groups and always seek the guidance of a doctor who specializes in the subject.

Remember that your physical and mental health comes in hand, and you both need your attention.

Don’t forget that the best weapon to fight breast cancer is prevention. And that could be curable if identified in time.

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