Breast Cancer – everything that you should know

Accounting for 22 % of female deaths from cancer in the USA, more than 87 000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in USA each year.

Unfortunately the breast cancer rates are slowly, but gradually rising. According to the Cancer Research Center based in the United Kingdom 75% of women recover from the disease.

Aside from genetic predisposition, breast cancer is a disease of our modern lifestyle. Many cases are related to over-exposure of breast tissue to estrogen. Scientists have discovered that the contraceptive pills also raise estrogen level sand may slightly increase breast cancer risk. Scientists also found that breast cancer risk is 18% higher for obese women compared to those with a healthy weight. Other factors that may cause breast cancer are the environmental pollutants, diets, bereavement and stress.



It is vital to perform regular self-examination looking for changes in the breast or nipple, because the most cases of breast cancer are picked up when a woman notices a lump in her breast. It is also very important to go for mammograms, especially if there is a family history of breast cancer.

When caught before the disease has spread beyond the breast, the chances of a cure are between 76 % and 98 %. If the cancer has spread to other organs or to the lymph glands the success rate is 49% to 56 %. If detected before it has spread, a lumpectomy/ removal of the cancerous lump/ maybe all that’s needed. Usually any breast surgery is combined with radiotherapy which helps prevent recurrence. Most women are also prescribed a four-year course of tamoxifen that cuts the risk of estrogen related breast cancer by 30% to 40%.

Increasingly, complementary therapies, such as nutrition, aromatherapy and counseling are seen as a vital part of breast cancer care.

Prevention plan:
Exercise regularly – the physical activity reduces overall breast cancer risk by 20% among women at all levels of risk for the disease.
Limit the alcohol intake
Eat healthy foods – vegan diets, free of meat and dairy procedure have the lowest breast cancer risk. Fish, especially mackerel, herring, tuna, salmon, is rich in fats which lower breast cancer risk
Get more sunshine
Check your breasts every two weeks when showering, consult with your doctor immediately if you notice something wrong like:

-dimpling, puckering or burgling of the skin
-a nipple that has changed position or become inverted
-redness, soreness, rash or swelling

Everyone seems to know somebody with breast cancer and we wonder whether we too, will be affected during our lifetime. All of us want to do everything we can to reduce the chances of ever getting the disease. That’s why we are begging you to go for mammograms every second year – it doesn’t hurt, doesn’t take your free time, isn’t expensive but it can save your life.