Understanding Breast Cancer: Risks, Prevention and Treatment

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting women worldwide. It occurs when cells in the breast grows abnormally and forms a tumor. While breast cancer predominantly affects women, it can also occur in men. In 2020, data from the WHO stated that there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and a record of 685,000 deaths globally. This makes it the world’s most prevalent cancer. Breast cancer can affect women in any country across the globe, occurring at any age after puberty. However, its prevalence tends to increase as women get older.

According to CDC, several factors contribute to an elevated risk of developing breast cancer, such as advancing age, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, a family history of the disease, prior exposure to radiation and so on. It is important to note that some women get breast cancer without any risk factors that they know of.

The symptoms vary and may not be the same for everybody. Some symptoms to watch out for include, new lump in the breast or under arm, thickening or swelling of part of the breast, irritation or dimpling of breast skin, changes in the size or shape of the breast, nipple discharge that isn’t breast milk and nipple inversion or retraction. Some people don’t even get any of these symptoms at all but if you notice any changes, it’s important to consult a health care professional for further evaluation.

CDC further prescribed breast cancer screening as key to improving the outcomes and reducing mortality rates as it brings about early detection. Mammograms, clinical breast exams and self-breast exams are common methods used for screening and detecting breast cancer at its earliest stages when treatment is most effective.

The treatment for breast cancer is diverse and depends on factors such as the cancer type, how much it has spread out of the breast and characteristics of individual patients. Treatments are combined by doctors to minimize the chances of the cancer coming back. It’s known as recurrence. These include surgery to remove the breast tumor, radiation therapy to reduce recurrence risk and medications to kill cancer cells and prevent spread.

In addition to medical interventions, lifestyle factors can also play a role in breast cancer prevention and management. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended factors that can influence your breast cancer risk over the course of a lifetime like keeping a healthy weight, being physically active, alcohol moderation and many more.

Furthermore, ongoing research and advancements in breast cancer detection, treatment and prevention continue to improve outcomes and quality of life for people affected by this disease.

There is a new study that is examining the effectiveness of an experimental drug combo for advanced breast cancer patients with ESR1 gene mutations. Dr Richards Afonja, Principal Investigator at Care Access-Clifton says “the goal of this trial is to help participants maintain their treatment plan for as long as possible, delaying the need for more aggressive therapies like chemotherapy, which can take a toll on the body”

To wrap up, it is important that there is collaboration among health professionals, policy makers and advocates to ensure that there is improved access to quality care for patients and the global burden of breast cancer will be addressed.