Breast Cancer
Breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin to grow in an abnormal way. These cells divide more quickly than healthy cells and go on to accumulate, forming a mass or tumor. The cells may spread through the breast to lymph nodes or to other parts of your body.
Those at risk of contracting the disease
Breast cancer is not a communicable or contagious disease. Unlike some cancers that have infection-related causes, such as HPV infection and cervical cancer, there are no known viral or bacterial infections associated with the development of breast cancer. Nearly half of breast cancers affect women who have no specific risk factors for breast cancer other than gender (female) and age (over 40 years). Certain factors increase the risk of breast cancer, including:
- Advancing age
- Obesity, especially after menopause
- Harmful use of alcohol
- Having a history of breast cancer in the family
- Having a history of exposure to radiation
- Reproductive health history (such as age at the start of menstruation and at first pregnancy) Tobacco use and postmenopausal hormone therapy Contraceptives that Taken orally
- Not breastfeeding
Behaviors that reduce the risk of breast cancer
- Prolonged breastfeeding
- Regular physical activity
- Weight control
- Reducing harmful use of alcohol
- Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke
- Avoid prolonged use of hormones
- Avoid excessive exposure to radiation
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Breast Cancer Symptoms
Breast cancer usually appears as a painless lump or thickening in the breast. It is important that women who find an abnormal lump in the breast consult a health professional without delaying for more than a month or two, even when they do not feel any pain associated with it. Seeking medical attention at the first sign of a potential symptom allows for more successful treatment.
include Early detection of breast cancer symptoms. In general, breast cancer symptoms include:
- A lump or thickening in the breast
- A change in the size, shape, or appearance of the breast
- Dandiness or redness Or an impression or other change on the skin
- A change in the appearance of the nipple or a change in the skin surrounding the nipple
- The appearance of abnormal discharge from the nipple
There are many reasons that lead to Lumps appear on the breast, most of which are not cancer. Up to 90% of breast lumps are not cancerous. Noncancerous breast abnormalities include benign masses such as lymphomas, cysts, and infections. Breast cancer can take multiple forms, which underscores the importance of a complete medical examination. Women with persistent abnormalities (usually lasting more than a month) should undergo diagnostic tests including mammography and, in some cases, tissue sampling (biopsy) to determine whether the mass is malignant (cancerous) or benign. Advanced stage cancers can erode the skin to cause ulcers but are not necessarily painful. Women with non-healing wounds in the breast should undergo a biopsy. Breast cancer may spread to other places in the body and lead to other symptoms. The most common first site of spread is often the lymph nodes under the arm, although cancer-bearing lymph nodes may be present that are not palpable. Over time, cancer cells may spread to other organs, including the lungs, liver, brain, and bones. Once they reach these places, new cancer-related symptoms may appear, such as bone pain or headaches.
Breast self-examination
Every woman over the age of 20 should have her breasts examined once a month. If the woman is still menstruating, she should undergo the examination 3 to 4 days after its end. If the woman has reached menopause, then the examination can be performed during any day of the month, every 30 days. Self-examination should also be performed after breastfeeding and on a monthly basis. If anything changes from the previous points, you must see a doctor immediately.
How to self-examine for breast cancer
There are two types of self-examination:
Observed self-examination h4>Observational self-examination requires standing in front of a mirror, observing the breasts from different locations, looking for any abnormal changes such as a change in size, shape, or color, and making sure that they are naturally equal without swelling or swelling. Ma'am, look for any boils, wrinkles or protrusions in the skin, or discharge from the nipple or a change in its position. Monitor at 
Touch self-examination
While showering and while lying down and using the three middle fingers, make three circular movements for each area of the breast without raising your hands. Examine the entire breast along with the armpit area to ensure that there are no lumps. Press slowly and firmly on each area (use three levels of pressure: light, medium, strong). Repeat the test when showering, as soap helps reduce friction and makes it easier to detect lumps. 
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Breast Cancer Treatment
Breast cancer treatment can be very effective, achieving survival odds of 90% or higher, especially When the disease is detected early. Treatment generally involves surgery, radiotherapy in order to control the disease in the breast, lymph nodes and surrounding areas, and systemic therapy, i.e. anti-cancer drugs given orally or intravenously, to treat and reduce the risk of the cancer spreading. In the past, all breast cancers were treated surgically by mastectomy, and when cancers were extensive, mastectomy may still be necessary. However, most breast cancers today can be treated with a smaller procedure called a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy, in which only the tumor is removed from the breast. In these cases, radiation therapy to the breast is generally required in order to reduce the chances of the cancer recurring in the breast.
