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How To Protect Yourself From Breast Cancer

How To Protect Yourself From Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women all around the world. Approximately one in ten women is diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Remed Health Oncologist Tayfun Hancılar gave very useful information about early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Tayfun Hancılar graduated from Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine in 1987. Since then, he has been working in the field of Oncology. He is also a lecturer at Okan University in Turkey. Tayfun Hancılar gives importance to personal development, he actively attends both national and international conferences and seminars as well as publishing articles in the field of Oncology.
1.What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control. Changes or mutations in DNA causes normal breast cells to become cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer type in women. As there has been great progress in diagnosis and treatment in the last 20 years, knowing the symptoms of breast cancer is very important to catch breast cancer at an early stage and to ensure the success of the treatment.
2. What are the symptoms of Breast Cancer?
If a woman has breast pain or a breast lump, it does not necessarily mean that she has cancer. Most breast lumps are not cancer - more than 80 percent of them end up being benign. However, breast cancer symptoms can be listed as follows;
- If a woman has a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts,
- If there is discharge from one of the nipples, which may be streaked with blood
- If there is a lump or swelling in one of the armpits
- If she has dimpling on the skin of her breasts
- If she has a rash on or around the nipple
- If there is a change in the appearance of the nipple
3. Who is at risk of getting Breast Cancer? 
Women are much more likely than men are to develop breast cancer. Age is another factor – as women age, the risk of breast cancer increases. If a woman has close relatives - mother, sister or daughter - who have had breast cancer or ovarian cancer, then the risk of breast cancer is increased. However, please remember that the majority of people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
Women who give birth to their first child after age 30 may have an increased risk of breast cancer. Women who have never been pregnant also have a greater risk of breast cancer than do women who have had one or more pregnancies.
If a woman is obese, this can also increase the risk. Drinking too much alcohol is another factor. The researches have shown that women who use the contraceptive pill have a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer.
4. How can women protect themselves from Breast Cancer?
Breast examination is very important for early diagnosis! Women should have a regular breast examination, mammography and breast self-exam after the age of 40 are very important.
5. What is Breast Self-Exam?
Breast self-exam means regularly examining your breasts on your own. I personally believe that performing breast self-exam in combination with other screening methods can increase the odds of early detection. Please note that women should do breast self-exam at the end of their monthly period by touching and looking at the breasts. Breast self-exam helps women become more familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel.
6. What is Mammography?
Mammography is one of the keys for early detection of Breast Cancer. Mammograhpy can detect tumors before they can be felt. Women at their 40’s should definitely take mammography.
7. Lastly, apart from the things you mentioned, what can you suggest women in terms of diet and life style?
The consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables which are rich in vitamins A and C is very important for women’s health. They also need to stay away smoking and limit alcohol consumption. To maintain a healthy weight, they should exercise regularly. Apart from these, being positive and having work-life balance are the other factors that will keep Breast Cancer away.