Online Reporter
CANCER is a disease of the cells which are the building blocks of body organs and tissues. Normally cells divide, grow and multiply in an orderly and controlled way as the body needs them to keep the body healthy.
When cells become old or damaged, they die and are replaced with new cells. However, sometimes this orderly process goes wrong. When this happens, cells do not die when they should and new cells form when the body does not need them.
When these cells continue multiplying, they result in a mass of tissue or growth, also called a tumour. Breast cancer is a cancerous tumour which occurs in the breast(s). It is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk.
We do not know what causes breast cancer, although we do know that certain risk factors may put you at higher risk of developing it.
Studies have shown that some people are more likely to develop cancer than others. These are called at risk groups. The behaviour, environmental factors or other things that predisposes at risk groups to cancer are called risk factors.
Your risk increases if you:
Are over forty (40) years of age
Have a family history of breast cancer
Smoke and drink alcohol, more than two drinks per day
Eat a diet high in animal fat and low in fibre
Have no children or had your first child after you turned 30 years or started your menstrual periods early before 12years of age and experience menopause later than usual (after 55 years) you are more at risk.
Signs and symptoms
It is important to be wary of the common signs and symptoms of breast cancer. The common symptoms of breast cancer include a lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm that persists through the menstrual cycle.
A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a pea should also be a cause for concern, especially if it is detected during regular breast self-examination. Women must look out for changes in the size, shape, or contour of the breast, blood-stained or clear fluid discharge from the nipple, change in the feel or appearance of the skin on the breast or nipple (dimpled, puckered, scaly or inflamed), redness of the skin on the breast or nipple, a change in shape or position of the nipple.
Other signs include the development of a marble-like hardened area under the skin, an area that is distinctly different from any other area on breast, tingling, itching, increased sensitivity, burning in pain in the breast or nipples, unexplained weight loss as well as persistent fever or chills.
Some of the signs and symptoms may however be due to other conditions. It is thus important to consult your doctor or health practitioner should the signs or symptoms present.
Breast screening
Breast cancer screening refers to testing otherwise-healthy women for breast cancer in an attempt to achieve an earlier diagnosis. The assumption is that early detection will improve outcomes.
A number of screening tests have been employed including: clinical and self-breast exams, mammography, genetic screening, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
In Zimbabwe Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is encouraged since most of the lumps are discovered by the women themselves. Breast screening may find cancers early. In older women it saves lives since if a cancer is found, it is likely to be smaller.
It may, therefore, be possible to remove the lump (by a lumpectomy) instead of removing the whole breast (a mastectomy).
Source: Cancer Association of Zimbabwe
Blessing Chizhande