In 2020, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer: WHO
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancers occurring in women, though its occurrence has also been seen in men. This cancer starts from the lining cells of the ducts or lobules in the glandular tissue of the breast.
Breast cancer can be treated if it is detected at an early stage.
As per a 2021 report of the World Health Organisation (WHO), in the year 2020, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 685 000 deaths globally. As of the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women alive who were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past 5 years, making it the world’s most prevalent cancer.
What causes breast cancer?
"Breast cancer is not a transmissible or infectious disease. Unlike some cancers that have infection-related causes, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer, there are no known viral or bacterial infections linked to the development of breast cancer," says WHO.
Certain factors that increase the risk of breast cancer are age, family history of breast cancer, radiation exposure, and post-menopausal hormone therapy. Breast density, partly a heritable trait, is when the breasts have less fat and more glandular tissue. One possibility why dense breasts are more prone to cancer, Harvard Medical School report explains, is that dense breast tissue contains more cells and is therefore more influenced by growth factors and hormones that make cells divide.
There are certain other risk factors of breast cancer like obesity, less physical activity, heavy alcohol consumption, and low levels of vitamin D which can be avoided with better lifestyle changes.
Obesity
Experts have linked overweight with the occurence of breast cancer. "An American Cancer Society study found that women who gained 20–30 pounds during adulthood (that is, after age 18) were 40% more likely to develop breast cancer after menopause than women who gained no more than 5 pounds. The link is estrogen, which is believed to promote the development of breast cancer. Fat tissue converts precursors in the body into estrogen, keeping the hormone in circulation even when ovarian production stops at menopause," says a report by Harvard Medical School.
Less physical activity
We all know the connection between physical activity and several diseases, but only few of us may be knowing about the link between physical activity and breast cancer. Many studies have confirmed that women engaging in regular physical activity have a lower risk of having breast cancer. One can cut down the risk of having breast cancer by 20-30% by simply adding a few hours of exercise to a sedentary lifestyle.
Over consumption of alcohol
Alcohol is said to increase estrogen level in the body which subsequently increases the risk of breast cancer. It inhibits the body's ability to detoxify the carcinogens thus giving way to the progress of the disease. "Women who consume even a few drinks per week have an increased risk for breast cancer," says a report by Harvard Medical School.
Vitamin D
Those women who have the right amount of Vitamin D in their body are less susceptible to breast cancer than those who have low levels of vitamin D. The recommended intake of vitamin D for a female is 400 international units per day. High levels of vitamin D in the body cuts down the risk of breast cancer by 50%, studies have shown.
Symptoms of breast cancer
The common symptoms of breast cancer are a visible lump; change in size, shape and appearance of the breast; change in the appearance of nipple or the areolar area; discharge from nipple.
It is very important to check the symptoms of the cancer at an early age, for which one needs to have regular checkups done from experts.
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