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The Philippines has now the highest incidence rate of breast cancer
in the Asian region, and has the 9th highest incidence rate in the
world today. Breast cancer is the leading killer of women ages 35 to
54 worldwide. According to the Philippine Breast Cancer Network,
more than a million develop breast cancer without knowing it and
almost 500,000 die from it every year. Incidence of the fatal
disease has been rising for the past 30 years.
Cancer cells are abnormal cells that multiply
uncontrollably. Cancer occurs when our immune system, which
constantly destroys any defective cells as well as foreign
organisms, fails to detect and eliminate them. Cancer cells invade
and destroy surrounding healthy tissue. Left unchecked, cancer
metastasizes, spreading to other organs.
Toxins, viruses, radiation can damage cells and
turn them cancerous. Smoking, drug use, unhealthy foods, excessive
drinking and lack of exercise can weaken one’s immune system as
well as introduce carcinogens into the body. Also, vulnerability to
cancer can be hereditary.
Symptoms
- More than 80 percent of breast cancer cases
are discovered as a lump by the woman herself. This lump feels
different than the surrounding breast tissue. Lumps found in lymph
nodes located in the armpits or collarbone can also indicate breast
cancer.
- Other indications include changes in breast
size or shape, skin dimpling, nipple inversion, or spontaneous
single-nipple discharge.
- Skin inflammation can indicate inflammatory
breast cancer, symptoms of which inflammatory breast cancer include
pain, swelling, warmth and redness throughout the breast, as well as
an orange peel texture to the skin.
- Eczematoid skin changes such as redness and
mild flaking of the nipple skin can be symptom of Paget’s disease
of the breast. In advanced stages, symptoms can include tingling,
itching, increased sensitivity, burning, and pain. There may also be
discharge from the nipple. Approximately half of women diagnosed
with Paget’s also have a lump in the breast.
- Breast cancer can also metastasize and spread
to other organs. Common metastasis sites include bone, liver, lung
and brain. Unexplained weight loss, fevers or chills, bone or joint,
jaundice or neurological symptoms can all indicate cancer.
- Benign breast diseases such as mastitis and
fibroadenoma of the breast are more common causes of breast disorder
symptoms and warrant immediate medical examination.
Prevention
- Exercising three times a week for one hour
each has been found to lower breast cancer by up to 40 percent.
Breastfeeding and having children at a younger age also lower breast
cancer risk.
- Plant estrogen intake such as those from soy
products protect against breast cancer especially when taken
regularly early in life.
- Folic acid (Vitamin B9), which helps repair
damage in our DNA, also counter cancer. Citrus fruits, dark green
leafy vegetables beans and peas are all rich in folate.
- Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke. Tobacco
and its many components such as nicotine and tar are proven
carcinogens. Moderate alcohol consumption. Avoid unprotected sex,
drug use and other high risk behaviors.
- Know your family’s medical history. Having a
history of breast cancer in one’s family greatly increases one’s
risk and should make one extra vigilant.
- Regular medical and self-examination is vital.
Immediate response is key to preventing cancer growth and
metastasis.
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