The Breast And Breast Cancer; What You Need To Know
The breast as affectionately called "boobs" by men is the tissue overlying the chest (pectoral) muscles. Both men and women have breasts, however, women's breasts are made up of specialized tissue that produces milk as well as fatty tissue, unlike men's.
Few are rare cases where a man's breast protrudes like that of a woman and such a case is medically known as gynecomastia. The amount of fat determines the size of the breast. The breast has numerous functions which include;
Basic Functions of The Breast.
i. Breastfeeding:
The breast primarily functions as a breastfeeding gland. It produces milk, which contains vital nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, electrolytes, amino acids, and antibodies that are not present in artificially created milk.
ii. Sex determinant:
The breast is also used to determine the gender of an individual. Protruding breasts overlying the chest muscles give hint that such individuals are females, except in gynecomastia cases.
iii. Sexual attractant:
Research conducted by the American Master of Sex has revealed that most men are drawn to the appealing nature of the woman's breast and as such initiate sex.
Breast Cancer
The breast is therefore a vital gland of human life. It's, however, like other glands and organs faced with numerous infections and diseases among which is breast cancer.
It simply refers to cancer occurring and growing in the breast. Both men and women are at risk of developing breast cancer, but women stand the higher risk. GLOBOCAN revealed in 2020 that about 16,600 cases of Cancer occur annually in Ghana and 287,850 cases in 2021. Breast Cancer is therefore a cause to worry about.
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
1. Old age
2. Family history of breast cancer
3. Previous treatment using radiation therapy
4. Frequent use of contraceptive pills
5. Having dense breasts.
6. Alcoholism.
7. Smoking
8. Obese or overweight, especially after menopause.
9. Personal history of breast cancer or certain non-cancerous breast disease.
Signs And Symptoms of Breast Cancer
1. Swelling of all or part of a breast.
2. Skin dimpling (sometimes looking like an orange peel).
3. Breast or nipple pain.
4. Nipple retraction (turning inward)
5. Nipple discharge
6. Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone.
Early detection is key to saving the breast. Imaging tests such as Mammogram, Breast Ultrasound, and Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging is done to confirm the diagnosis. Physical examination and biopsy tests can also be done to confirm breast Cancer.
How Breast Cancer Can Be Treated.
Drugs used to treat breast cancer are considered systemic therapies as they are able to reach cancer cells almost anywhere in the body. It can be administered orally, injected, or directly into the bloodstream. The choice of drug treatment is dependent on the type of breast cancer. These treatments include;
1. Chemotherapy
2. Hormone Therapy for breast cancer
3. Immunotherapy for breast cancer
4. Radiation
5. Surgery.
Prevention of Breast Cancer.
Breast Cancer Prevention
1. Limit alcohol intake; the more you consume alcohol, the higher your chance of developing breast cancer.
2. Maintain a healthy weight.
3. Be physically active
4. Breastfeed.
5. Limit postmenopausal hormone therapy.
6. Periodic Self Examination.
As the world marks breast cancer awareness this month of October, visit the nearest health facility to have your breast screened and examined by health professionals.
Get Screened and Save the Boobs.
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