FACTS OF BREAST CANCER

All people, whether male or female, are born with some breast cells and tissue. Even though males do not develop milk-producing breasts, a man’s breast cells and tissue can still develop cancer. Even so, male breast cancer is very rare. Less than one percent of all breast cancer cases develop in men, and only one in a thousand men will ever be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola. Men carry a higher mortality than women do, primarily because awareness among men is less and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment.

    Cancer develops when the body’s cells behave in an uncontrolled way. Breast cancer develops in the ducts or lobules of the breast. It may present as a lump, but not always, so there are other breast changes that should be investigated.

How breast cancer develops

    Breast cancer develops in either the ducts or the lobules. Lobules are where the milk is produced and ducts are where the milk travels to the nipple. Cancer cells develop when the cells lining the ducts or lobules become abnormal in size and shape and start multiplying in an uncontrolled way.   

It is not possible to say what exactly causes breast cancer. However, research has shown that some factors might increase a woman’s risk or chance of developing breast cancer. These factors are called risk factors.

Changes to look for:

i.              A lump, lumpiness or thickening in the breast or armpit – especially if it is in one breast only

ii.            A change in the size or shape of your breast

iii.          Skin changes such as dimpling, puckering or redness

iv.          Nipple inversion or discharge

v.            A change to the nipple, like a rash, ulcer or itchiness

Causes of Breast Cancer: How did this happen?

When you’re told that you have breast cancer, it’s natural to wonder what may have caused the disease. But no one knows the exact causes of breast cancer. Doctors seldom know why one woman develops breast cancer and another doesn’t, and most women who have breast cancer will never be able to pinpoint an exact cause. What we do know is that breast cancer is always caused by damage to a cell's DNA.

Women with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop breast cancer. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors (such as drinking alcohol) can be avoided. But most risk factors (such as having a family history of breast cancer) can’t be avoided. Having a risk factor does not mean that a woman will get breast cancer. 

RISK FACTORS

a.       Lack of Physical Activity:  A sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity can increase your risk for breast cancer.

b.     Poor Diet:  A diet high in saturated fat and lacking fruits and vegetables can increase your risk for breast cancer. 

  c.    Being Overweight or Obese:  Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for breast cancer. Your risk is increased if you have already gone through menopause. 

   d.   Drinking Alcohol:  Frequent consumption of alcohol can increase your risk for breast cancer. The more alcohol you consume, the greater the risk.

  e.    Radiation to the Chest:  Having radiation therapy to the chest before the age of 30 can increase your risk for breast cancer. 

f.      Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):  Taking combined hormone replacement therapy, as prescribed for menopause, can increase your risk for breast cancer and increases the risk that the cancer will be detected at a more advanced stage.