CAUSES OF PAGET DISEASE OF THE NIPPLE

Research is on to pinpoint the exact cause of Paget disease of the nipple. There is no unanimity as to the exact cause of this ailment. However, two theories have found wide acceptance in the medical circles.

THE FIRST THEORY

The first one suggests that this disease of the nipple starts from the Paget cells which are cells that are cancerous and first form a tumor within the breast. Then these Paget cells move away from the originating place of the tumor via the milk tubes or ducts to strike the nipple surface. The reason for the acceptance of this theory is that approximately 98 per cent of the patients diagnosed with Paget’s disease of the nipple also report underlying (yet-to-be diagnosed) breast cancer that is invasive.

THE DCIS SYNDROME

This typically invasive and underlying breast cancer intricately connected with Paget’s disease of the nipple is technically termed ‘DCIS’ which is an acronym for ‘Ductal carcinoma in situ’. It is also known as ‘Intraductal carcinoma’.

When a patient is diagnosed with DCIS, it means that the abnormal or cancerous cells are yet to spread. Generally, such cells spread to the tissues around the affected region or to the lymph nodes. In other words, these unnatural cells are still in the breast. Their place is in the milk ducts.

If the syndromes are not diagnosed at the initial stages these cells can cause breast cancer that is quite invasive.

WHAT’S AN INVASIVE BREAST CANCER?

Invasive breast cancer spreads like wild fire. It moves outside the milk ducts into the tissues of the breast. In extreme cases, the abnormal cancerous cells also travel into the lymph nodes across the body, particularly in the arm-pit region.

THE SECOND MAJOR THEORY

This theory applies to two rare situations of Paget disease of the nipple. Proponents of this second theory propose that once afflicted with Paget’s disease of the nipple, the cells constituting the nipple automatically become cancerous or Paget cells.

They base their suggestions on the following observations, viz., there is an independent tumor diagnosed to be responsible for the underlying breast cancer; and in those instances where the patients do not suffer from any yet-to-be diagnosed breast cancer.

NIPPLES ITCHY: BEWARE

Notable is that 50 per cent of the patients suffering from this ailment can touch a lump in the breast. Another significant aspect is that Paget’s disease of the nipple begins with the nipple spread to many other portions of the breast or areola – the circular dark area around the nipple. The patient can experience eczema or itch on the nipple. Eczema is a red itch that is apparently non-cancerous.

DIAGNOSING PAGET’S DISEASE OF THE NIPPLE

The best means to diagnose Paget disease of the nipple is through biopsy. The moment there is a lump in the breasts, or the nipple skin has reddened or scalded to disappear one day, immediately report the matter to your health care provider. Pathologists carry out this process in two ways, viz., breast tissue and/or discharge form the nipple.

A small tissue of the breast or the afflicted portion is removed to be scanned. The objective is to ensure of there are cancerous cells or Paget cells. Many pathologists make use of the staining tissue method to ascertain the presence of Paget cell. It is clinically termed immunohistochemistry. This method differentiates the Paget cells from the other types of cells.

X-ray of the breasts (Mammography) and physical scanning of the breasts and the nipples are necessary for total analysis of Paget’s disease of the nipple. It helps in diagnosing underlying breast cancer.

The Treatments for Paget’s Disease of the Nipple

The four treatments recommended for patients suffering from Paget’s disease of the nipple are the following:

(1) Radical mastectomy;
(2) Axillary node dissection;
(3) Lumpectomy; and
(4) Adjuvant treatment

Let’s check out each of these surgeries.

Simple & Modified Radical Mastectomy

Radical mastectomy is especially prescribed for patients suffering from an invasive form of Paget’s disease of the nipple which is basically cancerous. Notably, invasive breast cancer spreads rather fast. It moves outside the milk ducts into the tissues of the breast. In severe instances, the abnormal cancerous cells also travel into the lymph nodes throughout the body. These cancerous cells generally target the region under the arms.
Radical mastectomy is also done in the extensive or DCIS form of Paget’s disease of the nipple. DCIS is also termed as ‘Intraductal carcinoma’. The acronym ‘DCIS’ stands for  ‘Ductal carcinoma in situ’.

The DCIS syndrome of the ailment is not only invasive but also quite nondescript. The syndromes may appear to subside subsequently. Hence, the patients tend to overlook. Ultimately, the DCIS syndrome takes deep root with diabolical effect at times. During the DCIS phase, the cancerous or abnormal cells remain in the milk ducts of the breast. As a result, the lymph nodes or the tissues of the surrounding portion around the affected area still remain unaffected.

It is important that these ‘Paget cells’ (affected cells) are diagnosed at this very initial stage for effective treatment. In such cases of non-invasive breast cancer, a simple mastectomy can resolve the problem. It entails the removal of only the afflicted breast and the lining over the chest muscles.

Else, the Paget cells may spread and cause complicacies. Then, the patient will have to undergo a modified radical mastectomy. The surgery is done to remove some lymph nodes under the arm, the lining over the chest muscles, and the affected breast.

Axillary node dissection

Axillary node dissection is carried out as a part of modified radical mastectomy to remove the lymph nodes in the region under the arm. The lymph nodes are analyzed to determine whether cancer has affected them or not. On the other hand, a sentinel node biopsy is carried to take out just one or a limited number of lymph nodes.

Lumpectomy

Lumpectomy is done to preserve the breast. This alternative surgery is done to ensure that the breast is not removed. However, Lumpectomy requires the total removal of all the affected parts of the breast besides the areola, and the nipple.

Lumpectomy is ideal for only those patients whose range of affliction is confined just to the nipple or the surrounding portions.

The patient suffering from Paget’s disease of the nipple needs to subsequently go through a therapy of radiation to obviate any possibility of recurrence of the ailment.

Adjuvant Treatment

Adjuvant treatment is the radiation phase. It is done after the completion of either lumpectomy or the breast preservation surgery. Adjuvant surgery is recommended depending on the extent of cancer as to whether it has spread to the lymph nodes or not and also on the typical nature of the disease.

Adjuvant treatment is done also with the prescription of hormone therapies or anticancer drugs. Of course, such recommendations depend on the prognostic factors (a rough estimate of recovery or recurrence chances) as well as the extent of damage following the affliction of Paget’s disease of the nipple.

The correct compound terminology for ‘Paget’s disease of the nipple’ is ‘Paget disease of the nipple. This disease is also christened as ‘Paget disease of the breast’. The good news: It is quite rare among both the sexes.

Paget’s Disease Of The Nipple Versus Breasr Cancer

It is clinically identified as an uncommon form of underlying breast cancer. The reason for bracketing Paget disease of the nipple as underlying is because clinical studies have found that as many as 95 per cent of the patients reporting this ailment have breast cancer that remains to be diagnosed. A biopsy reveals the depth of the both the ailments. It has been also found that hardly five per cent of the patients diagnosed with breast cancer suffer from Paget’s disease of the nipple.

This is corroborated by the following data. There were 211,240 new potential cases of breast cancer in the United States in 2005. However, just 10,000 of them were found to suffer from Paget disease of the nipple.

Paget’s Disease Of The Nipple: Nomenclature

The cancerous ailment ‘Paget disease of the nipple’ has been named after the scientist, Sir James Paget. He is credited of identifying a crucial connection between underlying breast cancer and the slow changes that take place in the shapes of the nipples following the ailment.

Sir Paget’s name is associated with many other ailments like ‘Paget disease of the vulva’, ‘Paget disease of the bone’, to mention just two.

Paget’s Disease Of The Nipple: The Vulnerable Group

Most of the people suffering from Paget’s disease of the nipple are in the 50 plus age group. The average age of the majority of male patients is 69, while that of women is 62.

It is extremely rare to find young patients in their twenties suffering from this ailment.

Paget’s Disease Of The Nipple: Syndromes

It is important to know about the symptoms of Paget disease of the nipple so that the syndrome can be diagnosed at the early stages. It is to be noted that any ailment can be effectively cured once it is identified through the syndromes at the initial stages. A typical state of the early stage syndromes of any disease is that the signs may disappear after some time rendering the patient complacent. However, it would be folly to remain so simply because the syndromes have only gone underground to reappear as diabolical. By that time, the ailment can spread to other parts and assume an advanced stage beyond redemption. Hence, one needs to be careful.

It has been generally found that the syndromes evident at the initial stages give way to other syndromes at an advanced stage of any ailment. So is the case here.

Here are some of the common early signs of Paget’s disease of the nipple:

1. The nipple skin may turn red in color;
2. There may also be crusting of the skin around or on the nipple.

Now have a look at those symptoms of Paget disease of the nipple when the ailment takes deep root.

1. Pain in the nipple; The pain may be sudden and at times quite acute too;
2. The patient may experience burning in the nipple;
3. There may also be tingling in the affected portion;
4. The patient can also have itches in the nipple;
5. Above all, the nipples can become hyper sensitive to touch slowly leading to increased amount of sensitivity;
6. The nipple can lie flattened on the breast surface;
7. There may also be discharges form the nipple;
8. The skin may get scalded or appear lifeless or burnt.

BREAST CANCER TREATMENT PROCESSES

The initial breast cancer treatment processes start with the following two means. They include physical screening of the nipples and breasts besides Mammography (X-ray of the breasts). Such examination guarantees total diagnosing of this underlying debilitating breast syndrome.

BREAST CANCER TREATMENTS

Surgeons usually carry out any one or a combination of the following four breast cancer treatments. These are:

(1) Simple mastectomy
(2) Radical mastectomy;
(3) Modified radical mastectomy;
(4) Axillary node dissection;
(5) Lumpectomy; and
(6) Adjuvant treatment

MASTECTOMY: BREAST CANCER TREATMENT TYPES

Mastectomy is the technical term referring to the surgical process entailing removal of a breast. The root of the term is the Geek word ‘mastos’ which connotes breast. Mastectomy is of three types. They are Simple mastectomy, Radical mastectomy & Modified Radical Mastectomy. The surgeon decides upon the mastectomy process depending on the severity of breast cancer.

Simple mastectomy: A simple mastectomy removes the cancerous cells known as the ‘Paget cells’. These abnormally developing cancerous cells must be diagnosed and removed at their initial formative states for total treatment of breast cancer. During this stage of breast cancer, the Paget cells remain confined in the milk ducts at the nipple or the surrounding areas. Simple mastectomy requires the removal of affected breast as well as the lining of the chest muscles.

Radical mastectomy: Radical mastectomy entails the removal of the affected breast and the lymph nodes.

Radical mastectomy is done in cases when the patient is suffering from an invasive form of breast cancer including Paget’s disease of the nipple. Invasive breast cancer occurs when the Paget cells spread fast outside the milk ducts to attack the breast tissues.

This surgery is also done in the non-invasive underlying DCIS syndrome which is also known as ‘Ductal carcinoma in situ’ and ‘Intraductal carcinoma’. During this stage, the Paget cells remain in the milk ducts. So, they are easier to be identified and removed. Radical mastectomy helps in removing all the milk ducts wherever the Paget cells are located.

Modified radical mastectomy: If the Paget cells cause extensive damage also beyond the breasts, then a modified radical mastectomy is carried out. The surgeon carries out modified radical mastectomy to remove not just the affected breast and the lining over chest muscles, but also certain affected lymph nodes (especially under the arm).

AXILLARY NODE DISSECTION

Axillary node dissection is a modified form of radical mastectomy. Axillary node dissection removes the lymph nodes possessing the Paget cells from the region around the armpits.

Sentinel node biopsy: The term ‘Biopsy’ connotes examination of severed tissue for diagnosis. The root of the term is in the two Greek words ‘bios’ meaning ‘life’; and the other Greek word ‘opsis’ that signifies ‘sight’.

‘Sentinel node biopsy’ is done while carrying out axillary node dissection. Sentinel node biopsy aids in taking out one or a fixed number of the lymph nodes.

LUMPECTOMY

Lumpectomy is an alternative form of surgery resorted to as a breast cancer treatment. Lumpectomy is carried out to keep intact as much of the breast as possible. Nonetheless, even Lumpectomy necessitates the ultimate removal of the afflicted portions of the breast including the nipple and the areola (the darker portion surrounding the nipple).

Lumpectomy is generally prescribed when the cancerous Paget cells remain in and around the nipple.

ADJUVANT TREATMENT

Adjuvant treatment refers to the session of radiation following mastectomy. It is usually carried out after the lumpectomy. Adjuvant treatment can also be carried out with hormone therapies which are anticancer drugs.

Doctors recommend Adjuvant treatment on two conditions. It is usually prescribed if there are the probable prognostic chances of the Paget cells reappearing. The other condition adjuvant treatment is prescribed is when the damage caused by the removed cancerous cells is rather serious.

TYPES OF BREAST CANCER: KNOW THEM

Breast cancer can start from any portion of the breast including the nipple. Breast cancer is basically an underlying debilitating and malignant syndrome. The symptoms remain hidden, and by the time the patient feels the effects of the cancerous disease it takes deep roots not only within the breast but spreads to destroy organs and tissues in other parts of the body.

The primary division of breast cancer is whether it is non-invasive or invasive.

TYPES OF BREAST CANCER: NON-INVASIVE OR INVASIVE

In patients diagnosed with the non-invasive form of breast cancer, the cancerous cells are found to remain at the milk ducts. Non-invasive breast cancer is clinically termed ‘Ductal carcinoma in situ’ or ‘DCIS’ in short. Another name for this type of breast cancer is ‘Intraductal carcinoma’.

In invasive breast cancer, the cancerous cells move beyond the milk ducts and spreads to the tissues of the breast and in extreme cases also to the lymph nodes across the body – the most vulnerable is the portion under the arm.

BREAST CANCER TYPES: WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?

Breast cancer is that syndrome when there is an uncontrolled and excessive growth of abnormal cells in some part of the breast. These division and unnatural development of cells emanating from an affected portion of the breast attack and destroy other tissues over a period of time.

BEWARE: THE SYMPTOMS MAY BE UNDERLYING

The significant aspect about breast cancer is that the symptoms may not be evident at the initial stages. It also happens that the common early signs of breast cancer apparently disappear for some time to reappear with serious effects. By the time, the symptom or symptoms re-emerge the breast cancerous cells also move to the surrounding portions or even to other parts of the body like the lymph nodes under the arms.

ITCHY NIPPLES: CHECK OUT

Most of the patients suffering from breast cancer can feel a lump in the breast. However, there may not be any lump. Instead, the nipples may turn itchy. Beware, constant rubbings to ease the itch can slowly turn the skin of the nipples red – as it happens during eczema, a common non-cancerous skin ailment. This is a common but oft neglected sign to identify the type of breast cancer. Usually, this is diagnosed as the ‘Paget disease of the nipple’. As the nomenclature suggests, the source of these cancerous cells is from the nipple.

This type of breast cancer can be non-invasive at the initial stages to slowly turn invasive. As it turns invasive, the cancerous cells move to other portions of the breast including the areola – the circular dark region surrounding the nipple.

BREAST CANCER: HOW FATAL IS IT?

Breast cancer by itself is not fatal. Nonetheless, if breast cancer is not detected at the juncture when it has just taken root then, it may turn dangerous. It is for this reason that we must be aware of the symptoms of cancer so that the debilitating and underlying ailment can be diagnosed at its initial stages. Then, it becomes easier for the surgeon to stop the cancerous cells causing further harm. This is done through surgery.

TYPES OF BREAST CANCER: TACKLING TACTICS

It is of utmost importance to understand the structure of the breast to pinpoint the probable sources of breast cancer and also the symptoms as well as the treatments. A wholesome view of breast cancer will help you to not just obviate the possibility of not contracting the ailment but to also lead a cancer-free life.

If there are any of the signs of breast cancer, the patient must immediately consult the care provider. Next, the patient may have to undergo a series of clinical tests to accurately diagnose the ailment which can be of any dimension.

Depending on the nature of the disease and the extent to which breast cancer may have spread, the treatment is suggested. The normal treatment is surgery which can be of different types.

BREASTS: LET’S KNOW THEM BETTER

Only mammals have breasts. Each mammal has a pair of breasts. A breast is a pair of glandular organ. Among the females of the human beings or Homo sapiens, the breasts have a typical rounded form. The males have undeveloped flat breasts.

In non-human mammals, the glandular organ is biologically termed ‘mammary gland’. The breast of a mature mammal secretes milk for babies and infants. This milk secreted from the mature females’ breasts is ideal for the newborn particularly because it is rich in all the substances necessary for the growth and development of the baby. Mention may be made of vitamins, nutrients and especially antibodies that make the infant immune to the attacks of germs and bacteria.

BREAST CANCER: WHAT IS IT?

Breast cancer is the name of the ailment that primarily affects the breasts. If it is not treated, it may turn fatal. To understand this syndrome, we need to know what cancer is.

Well, there are more than 100 types of cancer of which only a few are lethal. The typical nature of this degenerative ailment is that there is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.  This number of excessive cells attack and demolish other tissues of the body.

CELLS, GENES & CANCER

Cancer can start from any part of the body – be it a tissue or an organ formed by cells which are again constituted by genes. The body of a mature human being is made up of an average of 30 trillion cells. The majority of these cells remain in a state of constant flux or turnover what with they dying out to be replaced by healthy ones.

For instance, the healthy cells of the blood, lining of the stomach and skin reproduce regularly by dividing into two daughter cells – a process called mitosis.

This replacement and reproduction processes are monitored and regulated by the inbuilt mechanism of the body. This finely tuned regulatory process further carry out the very important function of ensuring that the cells divide or get replaced only when it is required. This monitoring and regulation is required to ensure the correct and shape and size of the cells.

What is more, there are alternative backup processes if the first vital monitoring and regulatory system fail. Cancerous or abnormal cells will occur and develop to spread to other parts of the body if all these safety measures do not function.

GENES: The genes are the building blocks of cells. The genes are chips of biochemical instructions, each of which is an individual segment of a long, coiled molecule of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). The instructions relate to the formation of protein in a cell. The cell protein is the determinant factor in the cell of a human, and the overall functioning of the human body.

They also control chemical reactions, and also determine the mode of transportation of materials to and from the cell.

Nonetheless, a cancerous cell malfunctions owing to three to seven mutations or permanent gene alterations over a long period. The convergence or coming together of the mutations cause the cellto turn cancerous.

The breast cancer stages conclude with either the disease taking deep roots within the body of the patient slowly but surely leading the patient to a painful death! On the positive side, it can also be total recuperation following concerted efforts from the patient, health care provider staffers and the patient’s family members

REGULAR ANALYSIS OF IMMUNE SYSTEM MUST

Under normal circumstances, it is when we are low (read feel abnormal or not in full form) that we spontaneously seek and in extreme cases take the much needed break. It is a clear signal that the physique of the afflicted person is not at all prepared to carry on even the usual schedule. In the cases of minor ailments, the person recuperates after the rest.

It is necessary that we undergo an overall test of our physique yearly. It helps in identification of any symptoms or ailments. The process is a must to nip in the bud breast cancer that may be starting to take roots. In other words, the best way to stay fit is to keep our tag on our immune system which becomes vulnerable after the 40-plus age group.

BREAST CANCER STAGES: THREE

The first two stages provide a glimpse of hope unlike the third stage

Breast cancer, or for that matter any cancer can be dealt with effectively only when it is diagnosed at the early stages of its occurrence. Modern medical advances have also succeeded in resolving the complicacies to a great extent at the middle stages. However, this is possible if the cancerous cells have not migrated to other parts of the patient’s body. Both these stages entail surgery of various kinds depending on where the affection is and also on the depth of the affliction. In the majority of the cancer cases, operation is done to remove the cancerous cells and also the affected part. It is then followed up with radiation to ensure that the very roots of the abnormally operating cells are destroyed.

Nonetheless, it is still not possible to tackle cancer of any kind at the third or advanced stage. This is primarily because the affected area has spread considerably to other organs, tissues and lymph nodes of the person’s physique.

CANCER HARD FACTS

First, let’s have a look at the different types of cancer. Till date, medical researchers have mapped more than 100 types of cancer. The rates at which people of various races, communities, nationalities and geographic locales contracts cancer vary across the world. Studies are on to ascertain the reason for this wide range of variation.

Here are some interesting and important information about cancer.

* Cancer has been identified as one of the leading causes of unnatural death across the globe.

Males are more prone to develop cancer than females.

*Cancer is the main cause of unnatural death in Canada while it is the second such factor, next to heart diseases, in the United States.

*Every day, more than 1,700 people die of cancer or cancer related diseases in USA and Canada. On the other hand,

* Every year, more than 132,000 Canadians succumb to cancerous ailments while the number of cancerous deaths is 1.2 million in the United States.

*For instance, African Americans have more probability of developing cancer than other ethnic and racial groups in North America.

*The chances of American residents have been found to develop cancer are three times more than the Egyptian residents.

Medical researchers have also found that the root cause for this is the lack of adequate knowledge of the ailment itself. Be it a developed country or a developing one, the incidences of cancer cases is on the rise. There are 100 different forms of cancer.

PAUCITY OF KNOWLEDGE: THE CAUSE OF RISE IN CANCER CASES

Many people don’t know that though these different forms of cancer have been named after the particular portion of the body that is affected, actually one form of cancer can lead to the cancer of many other parts. This is primarily because the cancerous abnormal cells that may occur at a part of the human body can transport to any other portions of the patient quite fast.

GLOBAL BREAST CANCER MISSION

Breast cancer awareness programs have been taken up in right earnest across the world. The Governments have been coordinating among themselves to share information and other aids to help tackle breast cancer as well as all the other 100 forms of this debilitating underlying ailment.

STAGES OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS PLAN

The national governments have been galvanizing the public through various means. The main agents of change in this mission have been the different units of governmental agencies working right from the grassroots. Obviously, various youth and women organizations are playing a pivotal role in the process. The objective is to broadcast the information about cancer including breast cancer among the public.

Many countries have been included public awareness modules at the high school level. This is laudable as it can go a long way in removing misconceptions about this disease and in also disseminating the accurate information about this deadly syndrome.

HEALTH & HYGIENE: PIVOT OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS DRIVES

It’s only when you have a healthy body will you be able to have a serene mind to deliver the best in anything. Nonetheless, it has been seen that the majority of today’s middle class working generation have taken to a culture that is totally at variance with the natural constitution of their physique and mental backdrop.

Medical researchers suggest a transformation of the modern lifestyle to contain the rising trend of cancer across the globe. This is primarily because they are involved in an illogical rat race for power, pelf and mammon. As a result, they have been compelled by the resultant circumstances to mint money at the cost of their health. No doubt, many among you will be spending a lot in the gym or workouts. However, just scratch your inner self.

BREAST CANCER TREATMENT: AN OVERVIEW

Depending on the nature and spread of the disease, various treatments are recommended. To decide on the treatment strategies, the doctor needs to be doubly sure of the general condition of the patient, his family background and also about the overall state of his health. For this, the patient is asked to go through a series of tests. Many patients have to undergo medications or alternative clinical means to get stabilized as surgery

The general treatment is surgery whereby the afflicted portions and the cells are removed. At times, radiation therapy is given to obviate the possibility of the cancerous cells emerging again.

First, these signs are generally underlying.

Second, they may not appear at the initial stages.

Third, medical studies have found that the early signs of breast cancer can disappear thereby hoodwinking the patient to dismiss the symptoms. However, the symptoms wane to only return with vengeance. By that time, the cancerous cells, also known as the Paget cells have already affected other organs of the patient. Such cases are quite common and they are then treated as an advanced stage of cancer, including that of the breast.

Fourth, it is not necessary that breast cancer should start from only the breast. In fact, the abnormal cells or the Paget cells or the cancerous cells can begin developing from any tissue or part of the body to subsequently affect other organs lymph nodes and tissues. Till date, medical researchers have identified 100 types of cancer.

The last but not the least significant aspect of breast cancer symptoms is that this debilitating underlying disease can strike any person of any age, and gender.

ONE FORM OF CANCER CAN LEAD TO OTHER FORMS OF CANCER…

An important aspect of this life debilitating underlying disease is that one form of cancer can lead to other forms of cancer. Hence, one should be aware of the symptoms of cancer. On detection of any of these early signs, the patient must immediately seek the advice of the care provider.

Statistics indicate that many factors are responsible for cancer. It has been estimated each individual can significantly avoid the risk of contracting any form of cancer by reducing the above mentioned individual risk factors. In simple terms changes in the prevailing lifestyles of Americans can prevent 65 percent of the deaths attributed to various types of this underlying debilitating ailment known as breast cancer in the United States.

GENERAL AWARENESS MUST FOR CHECKING BREAST CANCER

It is against this backdrop that there must be a general awareness as to the ailment and also the steps to prevent it or to check the development of the cancerous or the abnormal cells. It is also important to have a wholesome view of the symptoms as the early detection of these telltale signs can accelerate the process of curing the ailment. To understand breast cancer, the cancerous signs have been broadly divided into the ‘Early Symptoms’ and the ‘Later Symptoms’.

LUMP DEVELOPMENT: NOT THE SOLE SIGN OF BREAST CANCER

It is not necessary that patients suffering from breast cancer will inevitably have a lump on the breast. For all you know, there may not be any such development at all. This state is even more dangerous. This is because the cancerous cells are developing under the skin quite nondescriptly.

THE EARLY COMMON SYMPTOMS

Beware of the following symptoms.

One of the most common early breast cancer symptoms is an ordinary rash in some part of the breast. Such rash usually occurs on the nipple and the ‘areola’ (the darker portion around the nipple). These rashes are akin to those that appear during cases of eczema. Another point to be noted is that this rash generally appears on one nipple at first.

The areola my turn reddish, or get inflamed.

Some women also complain of burning or itching sensation at that rash spot or across the breast.

There may be fluid discharge from the affected area where the abnormal cells have started operating.

The nipple can get inverted. It means that the patient’s nipple can turn inwards.

The nipple skin may take the form of crusting.

That affected portion can also develop a sore that simply refuses to heal.

GENERAL LIFESTYLE: PRIME AGENT OF CHANGE

The general lifestyle of an individual besides the socio-economic, genetic, racial, and environmental factors have been identified as some of the primary causes of breast cancer. However, it is yet to be established as to which one or their combination is the culprit. As much as 60 per cent of cancer can be arrested with a change in lifestyle.

QUIT SMOKING: SAY NOT THE FIRST TIME EVER

That’s true: Learn to say no to the fag, and above all stick to your principled stand. After all, it’s your life you are destroying! On an average, 30 per cent of the cancerous deaths or 166,000 people die due to smoking in USA every year. This pernicious habit causes lung cancer. It then degenerates to other cancer cases – often leading to breast among others.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has been carrying out a campaign to make the smokers kick the addiction. So, the best way to prevent breast cancer is to staunchly say ‘NO!” to smoking and even smokeless tobacco.

Now, what about the exiting smokers? Will they gain anything by quitting smoking after having lived with that habit for so many years?

YES! THEY WILL!

In fact, quitting any form of tobacco greatly brings down the probability of the smoker contracting cancer (read any form of this deadly disease). Clinical studies have found that a chain smoker who hasn’t touched the cigarette for a decade has brought down his risk of being diagnosed a cancer patient to the level of a non-smoker.

DESIGN YOUR DIETARY ROSTER FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

Congrats, you have won almost 80 per cent of your fight against cancer by quitting smoking. Now, proceed to reschedule your dietary habits. Cancer prevention tactics depend on a healthy diet that consists of the following items that have the capacity to fight the disease.

The following food items have antioxidants and other compounds necessary to shield the human body from carcinogens. The antioxidants debar the free radicals from forming within the body. Vegetables and fruit possess chemicals are especially important for patients suffering from prostrate and breast cancer. Besides, these naturally produced items provide protection against the random growth of the cancerous cells. They also guard against the negative effects of steroid hormone that are responsible for the development of the abnormal cancerous cells.

CONSUME LOTS OF FRESH VEGETABLES & FRUIT

These are cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and tomatoes. You need to also have lots of soy food products, and those foods that are rich in A, C and E vitamins. Include green and leafy vegetables. Some of them can be had in the salad form. Consume fresh fruit regularly.

OTHER RECOMMENDED DIETARY ITEMS

Black tea is recommended for cancer patients. Include in your diet whole wheat bread, whole grains like brown rice as they are natural reservoirs of carbohydrates. Make it a habit to never include white bread or white rice in your dietary roster.

For oils, go for the ones produced from vegetables. Avoid the ones made from animal fat.

ITEMS TO AVOID

You can also diminish the possibility of contracting cancer by not having the following items. These are red meat, saturated fat from animal products, preserved food items and fast or junk food. Try to cook your meal in moderate temperature. Over-cooking destroys the nutrients of the food items.

WHAT ABOUT ALCOHOLIC DRINKS?

Too much of anything is bad. Medical research has found that heavy consumption of alcohol or any beverage containing alcohol increases the chances of cancer, particularly that of the breast and the esophagus. However, it has been also found that moderate consumption of alcohol reduces the risk of cancer. This cancer prevention method connotes one peg daily for women and two pegs for men.