Breast cancer: 5 Important Things to Know

Why are women plagued by this killer-disease? 

Why are so many women dying from breast cancer? 

These questions probably sound familiar. Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting women and one of the leading causes of deaths among women. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about breast cancer.  

What are the causes of breast cancer?  

There’s no simple explanation for many diseases, cancer inclusive. Like other cancers, the exact cause of breast cancer is unknown, but some factors make you more prone to having it. These factors include:  

• Advanced age
• Prolonged experience of menstrual periods either due to an early age of onset or late stoppage or both
• Use of hormone therapy to tackle some menopause-related issues
• A family history of breast cancer or certain faulty genes like BRCA 1 and BRCA 2
• Smoking
• Exposure to radiation. 
• Not having children
• Alcohol use
• Oral contraceptives

Can a young woman get breast cancer? 

Although breast cancer is more common in older women, it can occur at any age. A few cases of breast cancer in women occur in those under 40 years. Therefore, regular breast examination is important once a woman reaches reproductive age. However, screening with mammogram (a type of X-ray) is not typically recommended in women under 40, but may be considered if you have breast cancer risk factors, such as family history or genetic mutations for breast cancer.  

How deadly is breast cancer?  

As you may already know, breast cancer is common. In fact, doctors diagnose hundreds of thousands of new cases of breast cancer among women every year. Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the world and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women.  

Is breast cancer curable? 

Thanks to available treatments, there are now many breast cancer survivors.  With cancer medications, radiotherapy, and surgical treatments, breast cancer can be treated successfully. The key, however, is early detection. If breast cancer is detected early, treatment is largely successful. 

Do men get breast cancer at all?  

Both men and women can get breast cancer. Since a man’s breast tissue is not well developed, he has a much lower risk of breast cancer.  

Take-home: breast cancer is common among women, and it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women globally. Therefore, you need to ensure you examine your breasts regularly for any lumps or changes in size, and go for your routine breast checks when the time is right.