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Understanding Breast Cancer and the Importance of Screening
The United States is Preventive Services Task Force has revised its recommendations in light of the increasing breast cancer cases among women at 40 years old. In India it is advised that mammography should begin at the age of 40 years and two-yearly repeat exam.
About 2.3 million new cases are diagnosed each year; and such is the acuteness of this issue that early detection significantly improves treatability.
This is stated by the World Health Organization as an established cause of 670,000 deaths worldwide in 2022. Doctors further opine that women should begin screening at 40 in order to detect issues well within time.
What is Breast Cancer ?
Breast cancer starts as abnormal growth of cells in the breast tissue. Primary signs and symptoms of the disease include a lump or thickening of the breast, change in the color or shape of the nipple, or skin of the breast that feels different or abnormal.
It is unknown why some people who have no known risk factors develop cancer, while others have known risk factors that may never be diagnosed.
The experts advance the opinion that probably breast cancer is the effect of genetic factors and lifestyle choices coming into the atonements.
Breast Cancer. NCI.” states Mayo Clinic DNA changes that can lead to breast cancer are typically located inside cells that form the inner lining of the milk ducts-milk-carrying ducts to the nipple.
Where the disease originates in the ducts, it is termed invasive ductal carcinoma. If it starts in the milk glands, or lobules, the disease is called invasive lobular carcinoma. It sometimes occurs elsewhere in the breast but not as commonly.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women, and it accounted for one of the highest cancer deaths in the United States.
Statistics in India show that in 2022, 192,020 new cases of breast cancer were reported. This represents 13.6% of all cancer patients and over 26% of cases in women.
Who is At Risk?
There are a several risk factors that can put it an individual at a higher risk of developing the disease. A history of breast cancer in family members will increase the individual’s risk of developing the disease as well especially if there are many family members diagnosed with the disease.
However most patients diagnosed with breast cancer have no known familial history of breast cancer. Other breast lesions that are considered at high risk of developing the disease include LCIS and atypical hyperplasia.
Lifestyle factors also add to the risk factor for breast cancer. Such poor habits include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and tobacco use.
Other major causes are age, obesity, radiation exposure, and reproductive history-menstruation age and first pregnancy age .
Why Younger Women Need to Get Screened
The US Preventive Services Task Force has published new guidelines changing how women can approach breast cancer screenings. Instead of waiting until their fiftieth birthday to start getting these screenings, the updated US Preventive Services Task Force recommends women start a decade earlier-at age 40.
The organization recommends having mammograms every other year from 40 until 74. These new recommendations mirror a disturbing trend: the rates of breast cancer among women aged 40 to 49 have been on the rise.
Black women have a 40% higher risk of dying from breast cancer compared to the whites, although the disease tends to occur at a relatively younger age and in more aggressive forms among them.
The Radiological Society of India recommends in India that women should have mammograms starting at age 40, every two years.
After age 50, every year would be recommended. Women must always alert their doctors to any changes in the breasts since their risk factors and health profiles may require a mammogram earlier.
The priority is knowing one’s individual risk factors and getting the right screenings,” says Dr. Leana Wen. “Screening, by definition, occurs before any symptoms appear.
It can help detect cancers at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to be successful.” In fact, 99 percent of very early-stage breast cancer patients survive; those diagnosed at later stages have only a 24 percent survival rate.
Tools for the Prevention of Breast Cancer
A woman should perform a breast checkup regularly. When any unusual condition, new lump, or abnormal appearance is perceived, she must consult the doctor.
Limit alcohol intake to less than the one drink per day, and no level of alcohol intake has been identified to reduce the risk for breast cancer; thus women who want to avoid or minimize their risk for breast cancer may be advised to abstain from alcohol consumption.
Another critical step is to have at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days. Maintaining a healthy weight is also essential, and those desirous of losing weight should refer to a medical professional for advice.
For women whose menopausal symptoms give them cause for distress the benefits of hormone therapy may outweight the risks as it’s means to mitigate the discomfort.
A minimal effective dose and shortest duration for which the therapy is prescribed should be used as much as possible to minimize the risk of breast cancer.
Conclusion :
Breast cancer is still one of the serious health concerns that addresses millions of women around the globe. Promotions like Breast Cancer Awareness Month are orienting the woman to the importance of early detection and regular check-ups.
Changing recommendations to detect the disease at an earlier stage and the increasing evidence that the disease is also rampant among younger women, the demand is to stay in touch with one’s risks and partake of active health measures.
Women should be screened regularly, watch for any changes in their body, and make healthier lifestyle choices. This, in turn, would not only increase the possibility of early detection but The generally improve health outcomes.
Understanding breast cancer and its risk factors could empower women to take charge of their health and make the right decisions that might be a matter of life and death.