Main breast cancer risk factors

We have talked about pretty heavy topics over the past weeks and I think we should keep it a little light or positive sometimes.

However, that will happen next week. Today, we have to talk about another serious issue that is affecting hundreds of thousands of women globally.

October is breast cancer awareness month which is an annual international health campaign organised by major breast cancer charities to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.

The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer. What better place to talk about it than this column right?

Before we continue, here is an interesting fact. Male breast cancer is often overlooked because less than one percent of all breast cancers occur in men.

However, anyone can be at risk because both males and females have breast tissue.

So gents do not be too quick to flip the page, read and take heed as well.

This article will shed a little light on some of the main breast cancer risks, how we can reduce our risks of getting it and some myths that go around about the disease.

The first risk factor that we obviously cannot avoid is being a woman.

Once you are born female, your chances of getting breast cancer are 100 times more than if you were male. As pretty as these baby feeders are, they sure do come with a lot of responsibility.

The genes we inherit are also an uncontrollable risk factor. So, hereditary breast cancers result directly from gene defects called mutations passed on from a parent.

However, I read that most breast cancers are not hereditary, but those that are, make up about five to 10 percent of breast cancer cases.

Another unavoidable risk is age. We cannot control getting older, it is inevitable. Unfortunately it comes with a whole load of diseases including breast cancer.

As a matter of fact, the aging process is the biggest risk factor for breast cancer.

This is because the longer we live, the more time there is for more opportunities for genetic damage to occur in the body.

At the same time, our bodies lose their capabilities of repairing damaged tissue as we grow older.

According to the American Cancer Society, about one out of eight invasive breast cancers develop in women younger than 45 compared to about two out of three invasive breast cancers that are found in women 55 years and older.

Let us move on to what we can do to reduce the other risk factors. Three words; lifestyle, lifestyle, lifestyle!

The way we choose to live is one thing we have control over and if it is adjusted well it can reduce the risks of not only developing cancer but a lot of other diseases.

Now, please do not look at me and judge me because the girl I see in the mirror clearly needs to exercise more and appreciates an occasional glass of wine.

This, however, does not stop me from stating facts so that I too can make an informed decision to adjust a few things here and there.

Breast Cancer Now explains that we can reduce our risk of breast cancer by being physically active for at least 20 minutes a day.

This is also related to maintaining a healthy weight throughout our lives, especially after menopause.

Activities like walking up a flight of stairs or washing the car count but it is better to do more vigorous activities.

Also, limiting the amount of alcohol we drink earlier on in our lives reduces our chances of getting breast cancer.

In other words, these lit nights must fall if the twins are to live long.

Here is another interesting fact. Remember the contraceptives we referred to when we talked about reproductive rights?

It turns out the pill increases our risk of getting breast cancer because it contains oestrogen and progesterone that increase the growth of some cancers but within a few years after you stop taking the pill, the risks disappear completely.

Moving on to the symptoms — the biggest and well-known symptom is a lump in the breast.

There really is no special way of checking for lumps but to just make sure you examine every part of the breast including the upper chest and armpits.

Other than the lumps, we can also look out for any unusual and persistent pains and things like change in the breasts’ shape, colour and texture.

Symptoms could also include a discharge from either nipples and a rash or crusting of the nipple or surrounding area.

Breast Cancer Now summarises this process as the “TLC” standing for “Touch” the breast to feel for anything unusual, “Look” to see if there are any changes to its form and get “Checked” by your doctor.

We do need to take the time to know our different bossoms so that we note any symptoms early. The earlier the diagnosis, the better.

News travels fast and messages on WhatsApp are no exception. This can be both a blessing and a curse because as much as we receive accurate news sometimes we are misinformed.

There is a message going around this month listing a number of things we should avoid to reduce our risk of breast cancer.

The list included using deodorants or anti-perspirants, wearing under wired bras and bumping or bruising the breast.

Although such messages are of good cause they confuse us. The above mentioned things have not been proven to be linked to breast cancer.

It is always wise to do some research and consult medical people before we dive into conclusions.

What I do love though are the cute actions of creating awareness like October the 13th which is “No Bra Day”.

Because early detection is such a key factor in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, No Bra Day serves to remind women to get their yearly mammogram and conduct more frequent self-exams.

It has become a movement, liked by many, disliked by just as many but it is there and means well, I believe.

Here is the last interesting fact just to sign off. Ribbons have been used as a sign of awareness since 1979.

The pink ribbon that we wear to show our support towards breast cancer awareness and victims of breast cancer came about in the early 90s as a peach ribbon and was first used on a large public platform in 1991.

It has been a long journey to awareness. Let us show our support, wear the pink ribbon and get screened.

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