WC_BLOG_ARTICLE_All About Breast Cancer

All About Breast Cancer

2 October, 2023 6 min read

https://www.giggulf.bh/documents/554082/21439251/MicrosoftTeams-image.png/6fbf3d1c-c525-8805-7dda-9ae7c3fc697c?t=1696231753214

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, that 1 out of 8 women has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

 

The good news is, that survival rates have increased as women are now more aware of the risks of developing breast cancer and have been getting regular checkups.

 

Symptoms of Breast Cancer:

 

Symptoms differ from one individual to the next, you may not experience any signs or symptoms at all, while others may experience symptoms early on. Below are some warning signs to observe:

  • A change in the size, shape or contour of your breast

  • A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a pea

  • A lump or thickening in or near your breast or in your underarm that persists through your menstrual cycle

  • A change in the look or feel of your skin on your breast or nipple (dimpled, puckered, scaly or inflamed)

  • Redness of your skin on your breast or nipple

  • An area that's distinctly different from any other area on either breasts

  • A marble-like hardened area under your skin

  • A blood-stained or clear fluid discharge from your nipple.

 

Since symptoms vary and may not even appear, it is important to maintain routine checkups. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it is not necessarily an indication of breast cancer; but we encourage you to consult your doctor is you have noticed any changes.

 

Causes of Breast Cancer:

There are several risk factors that may increase your chances of developing breast cancer, these include:

  • Age: 55 or older increases your risk for breast cancer

  • Sex: Women are much more likely to develop breast cancer than men

  • Family history and genetics: If you have parents, siblings, children, or other close relatives who've been diagnosed with breast cancer, you're more likely to develop the disease at some point in your life

  • Radiation exposure: If you've had prior radiation therapy- especially to your head, neck, or chest

  • Hormone replacement therapy

  • Smoking

  • Alcohol

  • Obesity

 

Detecting Breast Cancer:

Your doctor will perform a breast examination and ask about your family history, medical history, and any existing symptoms, and then proceed to doing tests to check for breast abnormalities. These tests may include:

  • Mammogram: These special X-ray images can detect changes or abnormal growths in your breast.

  • Ultrasonography: This test uses sound waves to take pictures of the tissues inside of your breast. It's used to help diagnose breast lumps or abnormalities.

  • Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning: A PET scan uses special dyes to highlight suspicious areas. During this test, your doctor injects a special dye into your veins and takes images with the scanner.

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses magnets and radio waves to produce clear, detailed images of the structures inside of your breast. If your healthcare provider sees anything suspicious on the imaging tests, they may take a biopsy of your breast tissue for more detailed analysis.

 

Preventing Breast Cancer:

There are a lot of advancements in the understanding of breast cancer and its treatment, and with higher awareness, women are now more inclined to ensure routine check-ups. Breast cancer prevention starts with healthy habits, below are a few ways you can reduce your risk:

  • Keep your weight in check

  • Be physically active

  • Maintain a balanced diet by ensuring you consume lots of fruits and vegetables

  • Limit or avoid alcohol

  • Stay away from smoking

  • Breastfeed, if possible

  • Consult your doctor before starting menopausal hormone therapy

  • Avoid birth control pills

 

Moreover, understanding your family history can help you take special steps to protect yourself. Remember, regular screening doesn't prevent cancer, but can help detect it early which facilitates treatment and drastically increases chances of survival.

 

Listen to our Health on Track Podcast

Tags
breast cancer breast cancer prevention breast cancer causes breast cancer awareness
Related articles

WC_BLOG_ITEM_HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Mental Health & Emotions
The stigma of Mental Health in MENA needs a new approach
COVID-19 has left deep social and psychological scars in the MENA region, with rising numbers of loneliness, isolation, and economic despair.
10 August, 2022 7 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Change your habits, change your lifestyle!
As your Health and Wellbeing partner, we are committed to giving you the tools to understand WHY and HOW you should be setting goals for 2023 to be your healthiest year yet.
01 January, 2023 5 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
The subconscious mind holds our “programming”. The culture, values, thoughts, and beliefs that we grew up with are coded into our subconscious mind
10 January, 2023 4 min read
Physical health
It’s time to quit Smoking!
Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps you can take to improve your health. This is true no matter how old you are or how long you have smoked.
15 January, 2023 6 min read
Self Development
You Need to Take Care of You!
Stress-relieving practices quiet the mind, balance hormones, including cortisol (the stress hormone), lower blood pressure and improve brain health
20 January, 2023 3 min read
Self Development
Stop making resolutions
Stop making New Year’s Resolutions & start making SMART goals that work for you.
25 January, 2023 6 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Benefits of Goal-Setting
It’s easy to get caught up in our daily routines: letting weeks turn into months, months turn into years.
03 February, 2023 4 min read
Self Development
The Magic of Setting & Writing Your Goals
Most people believe that goal setting is important, yet only 2 out of 10 people set defined goals!
08 February, 2023 2 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Supporting our children
Effects of bullying on our children’s health and how to support them as parents
10 February, 2023 5 min read
Nutrition
World Cancer Day
This month is all about boosting our immunity. February 4th was World Cancer Day, and we want to empower you ...
12 February, 2023 4 min read
Nutrition
Healthy Habits During Ramadan
Ramadan is a month dedicated to spirituality and self-discipline. For many, however, it ends up being a month of overindulgence, poor sleep and ...
21 March, 2023 5 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Ramadan 101: What is Ramadan & what is its significance?
Ramadan is a time for Muslims and non-Muslims in this region to slow down, reflect, and re-focus.
21 March, 2023 3 min read
Physical health
Do’s and Don’ts of Fasting During Ramadan
Here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts for a better fasting during this Ramadan.
21 March, 2023 4 min read
Self Development
Managing Mood Swings & Cravings During Ramadan
While the focus of Ramadan is on spiritual purification and strengthening one's connection with God, it can also be a challenging time...
21 March, 2023 5 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
What is Mental and Emotional Wellbeing?
Mental and Emotional well-being are crucial elements in holistic wellness. They affect the way you perceive your....
17 April, 2023 6 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Improving Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
Lack of mental and emotional wellbeing can manifest is various ways in different people. It’s important ....
25 April, 2023 7 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Habits That Negatively Impact Mental Health
There are several habits that we all do in our day that have a negative impact on our mental health. The good news is, once you’re aware of these habits ....
06 June, 2023 12 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Digital Fatigue and It’s Causes
Have you ever wondered why you felt exhausted after a day of working from home? Or why you woke up feeling unrested even though you’ve slept ...
19 June, 2023 3 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Habits to Achieve Digital Wellbeing
Digital wellbeing is the antidote to digital fatigue. It describes a state of personal wellbeing that we experience through the moderated and...
21 June, 2023 5 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Environmental wellbeing is not about the Environment
Have you ever asked yourself why you can only focus or be creative in certain spaces? How sometimes being in a place can make you uncomfortable ...
10 July, 2023 5 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
How to Design your Environmental Wellbeing
Research in environmental psychology has shown that our surroundings have a direct effect on our mental health, and nature has a powerful role in making us feel good.
13 July, 2023 4 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
From Team Burnout to Team Empowerment
“Burnout”. A phenomenon that has been spoken about so frequently. But what does it actually mean?
11 August, 2023 5 min read
Physical health
Get Your Flu Vaccine
Influenza is a virus that hits the respiratory system and causes infection of the nose, throat and lungs.
01 September, 2023 5 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Back to School, excited or anxious?
School is knocking on doors, bringing with it feelings of both excitement and anxiety in your children. They may feel excited about seeing their...
24 August, 2023 5 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
The power of Workplace Friendships
What drives you to go to work? For most people it’s to make money, gain a sense of achievement or to contribute to society one way or the other. But when...
04 September, 2023 4 min read
Physical health
All About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, that 1 out of 8 women has been diagnosed with breast cancer...
02 October, 2023 6 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Men, Take charge of your health
The stigma surrounding men’s mental health is no secret, but how deep this stigma runs is what you may not be fully...
01 November, 2023 6 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Self-care, not selfish!
Self-care is any activity that you do that restores your energy and nourishes you. It can be something relaxing such as getting a massage, something intellectual ....
16 November, 2023 5 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
A Guide to Self-Care During the Holiday
The holiday season is magical, but it can also be overwhelming. Amid the busy schedule and multiple activities, it's crucial ....
12 December, 2023 4 min read
Self Development
Setting and Achieving Your New Year Goals
As we approach the dawn of a new year, it's the perfect time to take a moment and reflect on the previous year and ....
08 January, 2024 5 min read
Nutrition
Unveiling Nutrition Myths
In the continuously evolving landscape of health and wellness, nutrition plays a vital role. However, amidst the oceans of ...
23 January, 2024 4 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Reel vs. Real: Navigating the Blurred Lines of The Digital Age
Have you ever scrolled through Instagram feeds, meticulously crafted with sunny vacation photos and perfectly angled selfies, feeling a pang of inadequacy about your life ....
12 February, 2024 4 min read
Self Development
Managing Schedules in Ramadan
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion....
11 March, 2024 4 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
From Waste to Wellness: Sustainable Living and Mental Health
In recent years, the connection between sustainable living and mental health has gained significant attention. As society becomes more and more .....
02 April, 2024 7 min read
Physical health
Post-Rain Health Watch
The benefits of rain are endless ranging from good weather to farming and plantations. However, there are also some side effects to look....
30 April , 2024 6 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Diffuse Your Stress
In today's fast-paced world, managing stress has become crucial for maintaining both mental and physical health. High stress levels can lead to several health issues, ranging....
06 May, 2024 4 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Navigating The Journey of Parenthood
From the moment that tiny human enters your life, you're faced with a whirlwind of decisions, emotions, and sleepless nights. One of the most fascinating and challenging....
05 June, 2024 4 min read
Physical health
Summer Holiday Prep
As summer holiday plans take shape, it's essential to prioritize health and wellbeing to ensure a rejuvenating and stress-free getaway. From sun protection to...
01 July , 2024 5 min read
Mental Health & Emotions
Effective Relaxation Techniques
In today's fast-paced world, finding moments of peace and tranquility can be challenging. Stress and anxiety have ...
06 August, 2024 4 min read
Physical health
Transform Your Posture
Good posture is more than just standing up straight or looking confident; it's about maintaining the natural curves of the spine and ensuring that your body is aligned and comfortable. Proper...
22 August, 2024 5 min read
Physical health
A Stronger Immune System
The immune system is our body’s natural defense mechanism, guarding against infections, viruses, and other...
09 October , 2024 5 min read