1. Introduction
Breast cancer is a condition that develops when the cells present in the breast region begin to grow in an out-of-control manner. It is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in women.
Although there is no concrete proof that healthier living can help in the prevention of breast cancer, reducing exposure to harmful things and following a healthy lifestyle can certainly help lower the risk of breast cancer development.
2. Breast Cancer Statistics
According to the statistics of WHO (World Health Organization), there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer in the year 2020. At the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women who were alive and were diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 5 years, making breast cancer the most prevalent cancer in the world.
There were 2.08 million breast cancer cases out of 18.08 million new cases of cancer in the year 2018, and 6.6% out of 9.55% cancer-related deaths worldwide.
Statistics say that one out of twenty-eight Indian women is likely to get breast cancer during her lifetime. It is seen more commonly in urban Indian women (one in twenty-two) compared to women living in rural areas (one in sixty).
3. What is Breast Cancer?
A type of cancer that begins in the breast is known as breast cancer. The condition develops when the cells in the breast grow out of control. The condition can start in one or both breasts.
Depending on the type of cells in the breast that are affected by cancer, breast cancer can be classified into the following different types:
- Invasive or infiltrating ductal carcinoma: This type of cancer starts in the milk ducts and spreads to the adjacent breast tissue.
- Ductal carcinoma in situ: This type of breast cancer also begins in the milk ducts, but does not spread beyond the milk ducts.
- Lobular breast cancer: This type of breast cancer starts in the lobules or milk-producing glands in the breast and often spreads to the adjacent breast tissue.
Other less common types of breast cancer include:
- Inflammatory breast cancer: This is a fast-growing, rare type of cancer that appears like a rash on the breast.
- Triple-negative breast cancer: This is an invasive type of cancer that is aggressive and spreads more rapidly than other types of breast cancer.
- Paget’s breast disease: This is a rare type of cancer that affects the skin of the nipple and appears like a rash.
Breast cancer can be classified into different stages depending on factors such as the type of breast cancer, size of the tumor, location of the tumor, and if the cancer has spread to the different parts of the body. The different stages of breast cancer are:
- Stage 0: Non-invasive type of breast cancer, which means that cancer has not spread from the breast ducts to the other parts of the breast.
- Stage I: Presence of cancer cells in the adjacent breast tissue.
- Stage II: Cancer cells have formed tumors measuring between 2 to 5 centimeters, which may or may not be affecting the adjacent lymph nodes.
- Stage III: Locally advanced type of breast cancer that has spread to the adjacent tissue and lymph nodes.
- Stage IV: The cancer has spread from the breast to other parts of the body, like the lungs, liver, bones, and brain.
4. Lifestyle Changes for Reducing Breast Cancer Risk:
Lifestyle changes are an economical, easy, and effective way to reduce the risk of breast cancer development. The following lifestyle changes can help reduce breast cancer risk:
4.1. Exercise
Exercise helps in promoting and maintaining the overall physical and mental health of an individual. Adults are recommended to get at least 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity or 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every week. Evidence suggests that regular exercise reduces the risk of breast cancer development by 20 to 40%.
4.2. Weight and Diet
Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a proper weight helps in reducing the risk of breast cancer development.
A diet rich in whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, calcium-rich dairy products, and a diet low in processed and red meats reduces the risk of breast cancer development. Foods that are high in fat may lead to weight gain and obesity, which increases the risk of cancer development and recurrence
4.3. Alcohol and Tobacco
The more the amount of alcohol consumed, the more the risk of developing breast cancer. There is a 7 to 10% increase in the risk of breast cancer development if one has one alcoholic drink in a day, which goes up to a 20% increase for an individual consuming 2 to 3 alcoholic drinks in a day. It is therefore suggested to avoid the consumption of alcohol completely or at least decrease its consumption to one drink a day.
Heavy and regular smoking also increases the risk of breast cancer development. Consumption of tobacco should also be avoided in all forms.
4.4. Breastfeeding
A woman sheds breast tissues during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The shedding can help in removing the cells with possible DNA damage, thereby reducing the chances of breast cancer development.
Many studies suggest that breastfeeding for more than 2 years can help slightly reduce the risk of breast cancer development. Every year of breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of breast cancer development by 4.3%.
4.5. Children
Pregnancy before the age of 30 and delivery on the due date is a protective measure against breast cancer. Women who do not have children or have their first child after 30 years of age have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer development.
Having multiple pregnancies and becoming pregnant at an early age decreases the risk of breast cancer development.
4.6. Use of Birth Control
Some evidence suggests that hormonal types of birth control increase the risk of breast cancer development. These include the use of birth control pills and IUDs (intrauterine devices) that release hormones. However, the risk of breast cancer development due to birth control methods is very low and the risk usually reduces after stopping the use of hormonal birth control.
4.7. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) After Menopause
HRT or hormone replacement therapy used to relieve the symptoms of menopause increases the risk of breast cancer development. The longer the use of HRT, the higher the risk of breast cancer development.
The risk of breast cancer increases more during the recent or current use of HRT and decreases to the average risk two years after stopping HRT.
4.8. Chemicals in the Environment
Exposure to certain types of chemicals could increase the risk of breast cancer development. Air pollutants, food-packing plastics, furniture, personal care items, and cosmetics may contain certain chemicals that mimic and disrupt the natural endocrine (hormone levels), which increases the risk of breast cancer development.
You can contact the oncology team at Ujala Cygnus Hospital, which is the best hospital in Moradabad to guide you through the preventive measures and treat breast cancer efficiently. Our patient-centric approach coupled with a well-trained oncology staff and the latest state-of-the-art oncology equipment can help in providing you with the best breast cancer care.
5. Conclusion
Breast cancer is the second-most common cause of death in women due to cancer. Leading a healthier lifestyle can reduce the risk of breast cancer development. Regular exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a nutritious diet, limiting or stopping alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, breastfeeding, and avoiding exposure to certain chemicals can help reduce the risk of breast cancer development.
You can contact Ujala Hospital if you suspect of having, or are suffering from cancers such as breast cancer. We have an experienced team of doctors to guide you on the preventive methods and management of breast cancer. You can contact us by going to the link given below:
