Breast cancer (BC) is a malignant tumor of the breast. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women.

The exact cause of this disease is difficult to establish..

The main factors contributing to the development of breast cancer can be roughly divided into several groups..

Genetic factors in the development of breast cancer.

About 7% of breast cancer cases are genetically. This is a family hereditary trait, when a grandmother, mother, aunt, sister, especially before they reach the age of 50, suffered from breast cancer in the female line.

Age factor of breast cancer development.

Older women (after 60 years) have a higher likelihood of developing breast cancer, however, like many other equally dangerous diseases.

Lifestyle factors in the development of breast cancer.

Nutrition predisposes to the development of cancer an abundance of fatty foods and obesity (especially when the distribution of fatty deposits in the upper body - in this case, the fatty layer itself begins to work as an additional endocrine gland that produces hormones), which stimulate additional production of estrogens and their negative effect on tissues.

Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, smoking, insufficient consumption of vegetables, fruits, fish are typical features of the lifestyle of a modern person, leading to many negative consequences and requiring no special comments.

Physiological factors in the development of breast cancer.

Early onset of menstruation (11-12 years old). It was found that women who began to menstruate earlier than 12-12.5 years of age suffer from breast cancer 3 times more often than women who have their first menstruation in a later period.

This fact is explained by more intense shifts in the pituitary-hypothalamic zone, leading to excess production of sex hormones in the woman's body.. Late menopause (about 55 years old) also indicates a high level of sex hormones and their negative effect on breast tissue.

First childbirth in adulthood (first child born after age 30), no childbirth.

Residents of cities and representatives of the highest socio-economic group (women with high incomes and higher education) get sick more often. This is due to a high degree of neurotization, the presence of these women in conditions of chronic stress and constant excessive tension of the same pituitary-hypothalamic system.

Long-term wearing of tight, tight bras and the habit of sleeping in them.

Work in hazardous industries, the effect of ionizing radiation and adverse environmental factors. The risk here is associated with two reasons. In people working in such conditions, the natural antitumor immunological protection decreases.. The functions of the liver are weakened, as a result of which the liver begins to utilize estrogen worse and its accumulation begins.

Risk groups and the risk of getting breast cancer.

The following risk groups have been identified:.

- women whose close relatives have been treated for breast cancer (and for other cancers);

- women who had an early onset of the menstrual cycle (up to 12 years);

- women who have late menopause (after 55 years);

- women who live or work under continuous stress;

- women with weakened immune systems;

- women who do not have a regular sex life (or do not get an orgasm from sexual intercourse).

In addition, the risk of developing breast cancer is increased in women who have had their first late birth after 30 years, using contraceptives with a high content of estrogen, exposed to radioactive radiation, patients with cystic mastopathy, obese during menopause (fat, recall, works as an additional endocrine.

Women in poor countries and women in working professions are less likely to get breast cancer, which partly confirms the large role of the psycho-emotional factor in the development of this disease..

Also, significant risk factors in women under 35 years old include thyroid diseases with inhibition of its function, late (after 28 years) first childbirth, breast cancer in maternal relatives; previous or concomitant dyshormonal hyperplasia of the mammary gland.

In women aged 35-50 years, the most significant risk factors for developing breast cancer are: early, before 12 years, the onset of menstruation; violation of menstrual function (irregularity, soreness and profusion of menstruation); sexual dysfunction (frigidity, lack of orgasm); impaired fertility (infertility or late labor); inflammatory or hyperplastic processes of the uterine appendages; chronic liver disease with impaired liver function; dyshormonal productive (proliferative) hyperplasia of the mammary glands.

In women over 50 with menopause, the risk of developing breast cancer is associated with a persistent increase in adrenal function. The following signs matter: hypertension; obesity; atherosclerosis; diabetes; delivery with a large fetus (over 4 kg); late onset of menopause (after 50 years); fibroids of the uterus.

It may seem that the overwhelming majority of modern women are at risk of breast cancer, and the factors contributing to the development of the disease are simply the conditions of our daily life..

In general, the human body is designed in such a way as to cope with any disease independently and completely. To avoid the disease or stop its development at a safe stage, we ourselves must become active fighters for our health..

Indirect signs that require screening for breast cancer include:.

- loss of energy, rapid fatigue, decreased performance, drowsiness;

- excessive irritability;

- depression.

If such conditions have arisen for no apparent reason and continue long enough, you should be alert and consult a doctor..

Breast cancer diagnostics.

The signs below may indicate not only the occurrence of breast cancer, but also the presence of benign tumors.. In any case, they mean that the need to see a doctor is overdue and the woman needs to prepare for serious treatment..

The presence of an infiltrate - a node or a small tumor, sometimes painful, but most often not. It happens that further in the later stages of breast cancer development, a woman who finds a tumor in herself does not feel pain, which is why she experiences illusions and does not consult a doctor.. In almost half of the sick women, the tumor is found in the upper outer part of the mammary gland, and less often in the lower inner. The neoplasm has no clear boundaries, with a dense-solid consistency of the tumor with the highest density in its center.

Nipple retraction.

This symptom is most typical when the tumor is located in the subossus region of the gland.. The nipple is pulled into the gland tissue and held tightly there. He even turns in the direction of the tumor, " This symptom is explained by the tightening of the nipple by the shortened milk ducts due to their deformation by tumor tissues.. (It should be remembered that the presence of such a symptom is also possible in inflammatory processes occurring in the focus of FAM of a cystic nature. ) When raising hands above the head, small dimples are visible on the skin of the breast.

Perceptible change in breast tissue to the touch.

The shape of the mammary glands changes.

Local depressions and protrusions become noticeable in it..

Unpleasant sensations of an unknown nature constantly arise in one breast..

Bloody discharge from the nipple or nipples.

This discharge can be seen on underwear and is a sign that a tumor is growing in the milk ducts..

Swollen or swollen lymph nodes in the armpit.

These symptoms indicate that the disease has become extremely serious, that we are talking about life and death and urgently need to take radical measures.

Similar symptoms are often characteristic of other severe breast diseases such as breast tuberculosis, fibrocystic breast disease, chronic mastitis, benign tumors and inflammation.. In any case, the only right solution would be an urgent visit to a doctor..

Breast cancer occurs when, for some reason, the structure of breast tissue cells changes. Cells with a changed structure turn out to be incapable of performing their own functions, but have the ability to suppress the growth of neighboring healthy cells and to divide their own uncontrolled. Thus, cancer cells begin to spread first to neighboring tissues, and then to neighboring organs..

Breast cancer often develops slowly. The period from the formation of the first malignant cell to a 1 cm tumor can last from several months to 15-20 years. Moreover, all this time the woman does not even suspect that she is dangerously ill. A particularly dangerous period for the development of the disease is considered age after 40 years in connection with the onset of menopause and significant hormonal changes in the body.

Breast cancer detected in the first stage can be cured with a significantly higher probability than that detected in the third or fourth stages. And the cosmetic damage from surgery in the early and late stages is incommensurable.

Breast cancer is a disease about which we can confidently say that prevention is the best way to treat it..

Moreover, the most effective methods of prevention, so to speak, come from the very feminine nature: to give birth more often, to breastfeed the baby longer, to lead a full sex life, to avoid stress.

And of course, avoid what nature does not provide: do not smoke, do not drink alcohol, do not have abortions. General recommendations in many ways have the most practical effect in this case.. However, a balanced diet, an active lifestyle and regular check-ups are also recognized as effective means of prevention..

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