Breast Health Archives - InnoHEALTH magazine

“BREAST CANCER” could prevent Breast Cancer

InnoHEALTH magazine digital team — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 07:11:38 +0000

Take note of the acronym “Breast Cancer” to be aware about the prevention of breast cancer.

October is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The second most common malignancy among women is breast cancer. A woman has a 1 in 39 (or around 2.5%) chance of dying from breast cancer. Since 1989, there has been a steady fall in the number of breast cancer deaths, with a projected 43% decrease by the year 2020. Better treatments as well as earlier detection of breast cancer through screening and more awareness are thought to be the causes of the decline in death rates. However, in recent years, the trend has marginally halted.

By raising enough awareness of breast cancer prevention and early detection, the decline is still possible. Changes in lifestyle and a few thoughtful suggestions are laid out in the acronym “Breast Cancer”.

B – Be physically active:

The World Health Organization highlights the need for regular exercise. All movement, whether done for recreation, transportation to go to and from locations, or as part of a person’s job, is considered physical exercise. Both vigorous and moderate physical activity are beneficial to health. It has been demonstrated that regular exercise helps control and prevent noncommunicable diseases like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and several malignancies. Additionally, it lowers blood pressure, supports a healthy body weight, and enhances mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life. Every day, one should engage in at least 30 minutes of exercise.

Both vigorous and moderate physical activity are beneficial to health.

R- Rest Adequately:

Overall, getting enough sleep is essential for preserving our health and wellbeing. Rest aids in preventing injuries and enhancing performance by giving our bodies time to heal. Additionally, it promotes a healthy immune system, eases inflammation, and helps muscles rebuild themselves. Additionally, getting enough sleep lowers stress. Rest means getting enough sleep. A solid 7 to 8 hour sleep cycle is crucial.

E – Eat Healthy:

A range of healthful meals are part of an eating regimen that supports weight management and overall health. Consider adding a variety of colours to your plate as if you were eating the rainbow. Dark, leafy greens, oranges, tomatoes, even fresh herbs, are all incredibly nutrient-dense foods.

A – Avoid Birth Control Pills if possible:

Birth control pill use, whether recent or current, has been demonstrated to slightly increase the risk of breast cancer.

S- Self Breast Examination:

Understanding how to conduct a breast self-examination is crucial. It helps in early detection and can be done monthly.

T – Track Breast Changes:

The alterations the breast experiences make breast cancer symptoms obvious. A woman will notice changes in her breasts’ and nipples’ shapes, discharges, puckered skin, and redness.

Mammograms are for many women the best technique to detect breast cancer at an early stage, when it is less difficult to cure and before it becomes large enough to feel or produce symptoms.

C: Consult a healthcare worker:

It is always beneficial to consult a healthcare professional. They can perform a clinical breast examination that aids in spotting any alterations to the breast tissues. Any changes you notice should be reported for more analysis.

A: Avoid Hormone Replacement Therapy for a long period:

Steer clear of long-term hormone replacement therapy. Long-term usage of hormone replacement therapy has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

N: Note your weight:

The risk of developing a number of diseases has been connected to weight gain. Obesity is seen as a risk factor for developing breast cancer. It is really crucial.

C: Consider a yearly mammogram:

Take into account a yearly mammogram: Mammograms are for many women the best technique to detect breast cancer at an early stage, when it is less difficult to cure and before it becomes large enough to feel or produce symptoms. Regular mammograms can reduce the risk of breast cancer-related death. Mammograms are typically advised after age 40.

E- Ensure breastfeeding:

Breast cancer risk has been shown to reduce with continued nursing. While a baby can be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of life, it is encouraged to continue nursing for at least two years.

R – Reduce Stress:

Many epidemiological studies have looked into the connection between stress and cancer and have found that there may be a causal relationship.

“Composed by: Ms. Frincy Francis’s passion is to teach nursing students the art of maternity nursing and shape them into empathetic nurses. Following this passion, she fulfilled her career as a nurse.Currently she is employed as lecturer in the Maternal and Child Health Dept in Muscat, Oman.”

The post “BREAST CANCER” could prevent Breast Cancer appeared first on InnoHEALTH magazine.

Breast lump? Why you shouldn't panic

InnoHEALTH Magazine — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 06:53:25 +0000

It’s every woman’s greatest fear: Finding a breast lump while showering or doing a monthly breast self-exam. But the truth is, a lot of that fear is unfounded, due to the fact that 80% of all lumps turn out to be benign. Here’s what those lumps really mean. Writes Indu S.

We all know the stats: One in nine women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. For most of us, those numbers make every bump in our breasts a cause for panic. But while a lump should never be ignored, the fact is that the texture and feel of a perfectly healthy breast — whether lumpy or smooth, sore or sensitive — can vary from month to month, woman to woman. So when should a bump evoke concern? Read this B&S advisory article compiled by information from leading doctors in the field.

Why your breasts are lumpy?

Doctors have a scary name for lumpy breasts: Fibrocystic breast disease. But although the word disease may induce panic, doctors reassures that lumpy breasts are common. “Many women experience lumpiness, tenderness or thickening of the breast tissue due to monthly hormonal changes. It’s not unusual.”

In fact, there isn’t even a specific test to diagnose these kinds of lumps. It’s not like having a mammography or biopsy and finding a result. It’s kind of in the fingers of the beholder.

Sussing out the good lump from the bad

If your breasts are on the lumpy side, it can be tough to know what to feel for during those monthly self exams. The good news is that “normal” breast lumps tend to feel distinctive; usually they’re soft, smooth and movable. Cancerous lumps, on the other hand, tend to be hard, rough-edged and immobile.

The best way to keep yourself healthy is to examine your breasts every month so that you’re intimately familiar with their geography — every dip and lump and thickening. The best time to do it is about a week after your period, when breasts tend to be least lumpy. (Breast lumpiness and soreness is most likely to occur the week before a woman’s period and ease up after menstruation begins.)

Once you have a sense of the normal texture of your breasts, it will be easier to figure out when something doesn’t feel right and merits a trip to your doctor.

Lumps and cancer risk: Is there a connection?

The good news is fibrocystic breast condition does not increase your risk of breast cancer. There is no relationship between this condition and breast cancer, claim doctors.

What to do when your breasts hurt

Try taking the Pill. Birth-control pills seem to ease pain and lumpiness for some women. This is probably because they keep a woman’s hormone levels more stable throughout her cycle.

Ditch that skimpy lingerie — at least on top. Some women find that wearing a supportive bra (read: one with underwires) can help ease pain.

Go easy on caffeine — Though studies haven’t proved a connection between lumpiness and caffeine, some doctors recommend that women with monthly breast pain cut back on the coffee.

Your Breast Health

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women today, and every woman is at risk. Although there is no proven way to prevent the disease, there are ways that each woman can protect her health. Here are steps you can take to maintain good breast health.

Follow an early-detection program:

* Get regular mammograms, beginning at age 40; one every year or as directed by your doctor.

* Have a breast examination by a doctor or nurse, every year, starting at age 20.

* Learn the normal feel of your breasts, and perform monthly self exams. Many women have lumpy breasts, which are usually not cause for concern. However, if you feel a change or a lump that is new, be sure to have it checked by a doctor or nurse right away.

* There are other steps you can take for good breast health. Researchers are continuing to explore the effect that a healthy, active lifestyle can have on reducing breast cancer risk. While it is not yet known whether losing weight will reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, maintaining a lifelong healthy weight is good for your breast health as well as for your heart and bones.

Results of breast cancer research also suggest you should:

* Maintain a diet low in fat; one that includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These low-calorie, high-fiber foods have proven health benefits.

* Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Regular use of even small amounts of alcohol — whether it is liquor, beer or wine — has been shown to increase breast cancer risk.

* Don’t smoke. Smoking causes cancer, heart disease and many chronic illnesses; it also negatively affects the health of others.

* Exercise regularly. Work out, do aerobics, bike or walk briskly — exercise in some way so as to raise your heart rate — three or more times a week. Several studies have shown that regular vigorous exercise can reduce breast cancer risk.

Reducing your risk: Self examination techniques

Breast cancer cannot be prevented, but it can be detected at an early, treatable stage. Women ages 40 and older should go for regular screening mammograms, a simple procedure that can reveal breast cancer at its earliest stage — up to two years before it can be felt. Annual screening mammography should begin at age 40. And, annual breast examinations by a medical professional are a required complement to screening mammography. Every woman, age 20 and over, should have a clinical breast exam by a doctor or nurse every year.

Many breast irregularities are found by women themselves, yet women often do not know how to perform breast self-examination (BSE), and few do so regularly. Although BSE has never been proven to affect survival (BSE usually finds lumps at a later stage), becoming familiar with your breasts and what feels normal for you is a recommended component of every woman’s breast health program. Your annual exam is a good time to ask your doctor or nurse about how to do a good self-examination every month. Giving yourself a correct and comprehensive breast self-exam is vital to your health.

For Monthly Breast Self-Exams:

* Use the flat part of your fingers of your three middle fingers to feel your breast. Always use your left hand for your right breast and your right hand for your left breast.

* Go from your neck, down under your arm, across and to the bottom of your rib cage and up the breastbone. This area is all breast tissue.

Check for any lumps, hard knots, swelling, dimpling or thickening. Perform your self-exam in front of a mirror and observe for any abnormal change in size, shape, color or discharge.

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