Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women today, though it can also occur in men. It can be a form of cancer originating from the breast tissue, most probably from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that offer the ducts with milk. Cancers that originate from ducts area unit is known as ductal carcinomas, whereas those originating from lobules area unit is known as lobe carcinomas. Carcinoma happens in humans and different mammals. While the majority of human cases occur in ladies, male carcinoma can also occur. The risk factors that are known include age, genetics, family history and environmental exposures and researchers are trying to pinpoint the cause and find a cure. Everyone can be at risk for breast cancer, though 75% of cases diagnosed are in women over the age of 50.
Causes and Risk Factors
There are several risk factors that increase the chance of developing breast cancer. Though we are aware about some of these risk factors, we don't know how these factors cause the development of a cancer cell. Some of the risk factors can be modified, however, others cannot be influenced. It's important to discuss these risks with your health care professional prior to starting any new therapy. Given ahead are some risk factors for breast cancer:
Age : The possibility of breast cancer increase as you get older
Family History : The risk of breast cancer is higher among women having relatives with the disease. Having a close relative with the disease increases a woman's risk of having the same.
Personal History : Having being diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast increases the risk of cancer in the other breast as well
Menstruation : Women who started their menstrual cycle at a younger age, i.e. before 12 or went through menopause later, i.e. after 55 have a slightly increased risk.
Race: White women have a higher risk of developing this disease, however, African-American women tend to have more aggressive tumors when they do develop breast cancer
Not having children or the first child after age 30 enhances the risk of this disease. Breastfeeding for a year or more over the lifetime of a woman has been shown to lower the risk of breast cancer. Breastfeeding for a shorter period might slightly lower the risk.
Symptoms
The most common sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass in the breast. Moreover, the following are possible signs of breast cancer:
• Redness or nipple discharge
• Breast or nipple pain
• Swelling of part of the breast or dimpling of the skin over the breast
It's best to detect this disease before any of these signs occur by following screening mammography guidelines and discussing with your health care professional.
Homeopathy for Breast Cancer
Homeopathic medicines based on the principle of 'like cures like' are small, heavily diluted substances treating symptoms which in higher concentrations would actually lead to the same symptoms in an healthy individual. While it might sound strange, using homeopathic medicines actually has a strong effect on the symptoms of breast cancer.