Breast Cancer

The risk of breast cancer is ever on the rise and more women are becoming aware about how important it is to understand prevention of breast cancer.

Breast cancer causes

There are many factors that cause breast cancer. Some women at a higher risk to develop breast cancer than the other women. Genetic factors pay an important role in development of breast cancer. BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 are the culprit genes for breast cancer. Those women who have a female relative suffering from breast cancer are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Obese women, women who have not had babies by the age of 35, women who have not breast fed and those women who start using contraceptive pills at a later age are at a higher risk.

A simple self test can be done on the body by measuring hip and waist to see possibility of breast cancer. For this, measure your waist from the narrowest area and measure the hip from the widest area. If the waist-hip ratio is more than 0.8 then you will need to do something about it.

Stress significantly increases risk of breast cancer. Stress disturbs the balance of hormones in the body. It also reduces the immune system and hence increases chance of development of breast cancer.

A diet rich in saturated fats, tobacco and alcohol increases the risk multifold. But a diet rich in mega fatty acids (rich antioxidant) helps in the prevention. These are present in olive oil, linseed, primrose and margarines and fish Also, weekly detoxification of the body helps in prevention. Use of certain cosmetics and deodorants, one`s carrying parabens, may lead to development of breast cancer.

Diagnosis

Mammographs are believed to be the best ways to identify breast cancer. The procedure uses the technique in which the X-rays are able to detect minute changes in your breast tissues before they become visible.

Ultrasound is a more expensive technique and is done only when women are done with their menopause and are not taking HRT. Each breast is scanned separately.

Hair test can be performed which is able detect breast cancer from the single strand of hair.