WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN BRIEF WITH BREAST CANCER. TIPS: 30 MINUTES WITH DR. OLUDARA.

Yes, if you tell me you've heard it before I'll agree with you. It's every where, and it's an everyday information, so this is just a piece of reminder. 

The Encarta Encyclopaedia describes Breast Cancer as the malignant tumour in the glandular tissues of the breast. Such tumours, also called carcinomas, form when the processes that control normal cell growth break down, enabling a single abnormal cell to multiply at a rapid rate. Carcinomas, which tend to destroy an increasing proportion of normal breast tissue over time, may spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body.
However, Dr. Oludara’s explanation is more explicit and understandable, He explained that Breast Cancer is an uncontrollable growth and multiplication of cells that make-up the breast tissues and ducts that supplies milk to the nipples and other important parts of the Breast. Alternatively, it can simply be referred to as a kind of cancer that develops from breast cells.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, other than skin cancer. Worldwide, it accounts for over 25% of all cancer cases. In 2012, it resulted in 1.68 million cases and 522,000 deaths globally. It is more common in developed countries; it is more than 100 times frequently reported in women than in men and this article focus on female breast cancer. Outcomes for breast cancer vary depending on the cancer type, extent of disease, and person's age. Survival rates in the developed world are high, with between 80% and 90% of those in England and the United States alive for at least 5 years. However, in developing countries like Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries, the survival rates are poorer.

Apparently, there are two types of Breast Cancer which are the lobular carcinoma - A breast cancer that started off in the lobules, and the one that developed from the ducts which is called ductal carcinoma. The erudite Doctor took his time to explain in details these types of breast cancer and the relationship between both of them.
Ø Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the earliest form of breast cancer. In DCIS, cancer cells are in the ducts of the breast, but they have not started to spread into the surrounding breast tissue. DCIS (in most cases) shows up on a mammogram and is usually diagnosed when women go for breast screening.

Ø Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) – In LCIS, there are changes to the cells lining the lobes and it increases the risk of developing breast cancer later in life. Most women with LCIS may not develop breast cancer when it is monitored with regular breast screening and mammograms. 

Please note that most breast cancers are invasive and this means that the cancer cells can spread outside the lining of the ducts or lobules into surrounding breast tissues and the types of breast cancer present are not limited to these two, I only chose to discuss them because others are sub types. (Dr. Mobolaji A. Oludara 7th Nov. 2016).

The Risk Factors

According to reliable research, the possible causes and likely risk factors that contribute to the development of breast cancer varies from person to person, health and lifestyle habits amongst others as scientists and physicians do not understand exactly what causes breast cancer. 

Consequently, these categories of women are at increased risk of the disease: those with a long menstrual history (menstrual periods that started before age 12 and ended after age 50); those who never gave birth or who waited until after age 30 to have children; and those who have used birth control pills or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Such risk factors, all of which relate to hormone-based life events, suggest that breast cancer is somehow affected by prolonged exposure to female sex hormones, such as estrogen. (Encarta Encyclopaedia, 2009)

Dr. Oludara stressed the relationship between breast cancer and hereditary genes. He also gave an illustration of his 13 years old patient whose mother died of breast cancer at the age of 40. Women with a history of breast cancer in the family are at greater risk. About 5 percent of all breast cancers have been attributed to a mutated, or structurally altered, gene known as BRCA1. Mutations in a second gene, BRCA2, also contribute significantly to the development of the scourge.

Symptoms & Prevention Tips

The first symptoms of breast cancer are usually an area of thickened tissue in the woman's breast, or a lump. The majority of lumps are not cancerous; however, women should get them checked by a health care professional. Women who detect any of the following signs or symptoms should tell their doctor: a lump in a breast, a pain in the armpits or breast that does not seem to be related to the woman's menstrual period, pitting or redness of the skin of the breast; like the skin of an orange, a rash around (or on) one of the nipples, a swelling (lump) in one of the armpits amongst others..

Prevention Tips- I would suggest that the best and most effective prevention tip is the constant evaluation of the breast by the person. Any and all grey areas detected should be discussed with a medical practitioner. I would also suggest that constant medical examination at periodic intervals should be done by women especially where there has been a case of breast cancer in the family. X-ray examination of the breasts, a technique called mammography, can also increase the odds for successful treatment by detecting tumours in an early stage, before they are large enough to be felt.

I would like to implore my readers to ensure that all the information on breast cancer and ways to combat the scourge are shared with everyone we come across with so that we can do our bit to educate others on the dangers of this deadly disease.

It begins with you!...
Read and share to save a life... Early discovery is the key!

Olusanya, Oluwole.
Sterling Bank.