Detecting Breast Cancer Early is Key
Early detection is one of the best ways to improve the prognosis of breast cancer. Once diagnosed, treatment can begin. Medications like Talzenna (talazoparib) can be used for certain types of breast cancer. It works by blocking an enzyme called poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP).
There are seven common symptoms of breast cancer you should be aware of. They are:
- New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
- Changes in breast shape or size, with unusual and persistent changes.
- Skin changes such as dimpling, puckering or a rash.
- Nipple discharge, particularly if it's bloody or clear and occurs without squeezing.
- Changes in the nipple such as inversion or persistent tenderness.
- Thickening or swelling in a part of the breast.
- Pain in any area of the breast.
If you notice any of them, you should book a consultation with your healthcare provider. While having one or more of these symptoms does not automatically mean that cancer is present, it is still important to talk to your doctor right away upon detection so as to learn the source.
Neuromodulation therapy for overactive bladder is used to help regulate the nerves, creating normalized urination. Find out more here.
Self Screening for Breast Cancer
The best way to catch breast cancer early is by giving yourself regular breast exams, being aware of what feels normal and abnormal in your body and getting mammograms.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the best way to give yourself a breast exam is to begin by lying down. Using your left hand, move the pads of your three middle fingers around your right breast, covering the entire breast area and armpit. Use pressure to feel for any new lumps, thickenings, hardened knots or any other breast changes that don’t feel normal. You can also squeeze the nipple to check for discharge.
It is important to note that there is no such thing as “normal” or “typical” breasts. What is normal for you may not be normal for another person. That is why establishing a baseline understanding of what feels normal for you is essential, particularly when it comes to early breast cancer detection.
Treatment Options for Breast Cancer
Treatment for breast cancer varies depending on the stage and type of cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health. There are many options available, including:
Surgery
Options for surgery include lumpectomy (removing the tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue) and mastectomy (removal of one or both breasts). They are both popular and effective treatments for breast cancer.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is often used after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is perhaps one of the most common treatments for breast cancer; it's utilized to shrink or kill cancer cells.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is often used for cancers that are sensitive to hormones, like estrogen.
Targeted Therapy
Drugs like Kisqali target specific characteristics of cancer cells, such as protein receptors that control growth.
Diet and Lifestyle Considerations
Diet plays an integral part in cancer prevention and management. While no single food can prevent cancer, a healthy diet can strengthen the body’s defenses.
Options like plant-based foods, lean proteins and healthy fats are great things to integrate into your diet in order to stay as healthy and strong as possible. Experts also recommend limiting intake of smoked or charred foods and reducing alcohol consumption, as these can contribute to breast cancer risk.
In addition to a healthy diet, experts encourage an active lifestyle in order to reduce your risk of breast cancer, particularly women in menopause or postmenopausal. After menopause, the ovaries stop the creation of estrogen. Women who are overweight also tend to have higher blood insulin levels, which has been linked to a higher risk of getting cancer, particularly breast cancer.
The American Cancer Society recommends that adults get 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week.
