A type of cancer in which cells of breast tissues grow abnormally and form lumps or tumors is known as breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common disease in women and can occur in only 0.5% of men. This is the second most common disease that affects people all over the world after skin cancer. Normally, it is believed that the abnormality in hormones, as well as lifestyle and environment, are the causes of breast cancer, but its exact cause is unknown. However, with time, awareness about the disease decreases the death rate due to breast cancer. Well, this article is going to discuss in detail the causes, symptoms, and remedies of breast cancer, but before that, let’s have a look at the history of breast cancer.
Evidence and research show that the history of breast cancer dates back to ancient civilization, i.e., disease found in Edwin Smith’s Surgical Papyrus and artifacts from ancient Greece.
- Ancient Greece: Hippocrates described the stages of breast cancer.
- 1st Century: Doctors give details about breast cancer through different experiments with surgical incisions and linked breast cancer at the end of Menstruation.
- Middle Ages: Islamic doctors studied Greek medical texts in this era, while Christians favored faith healing over surgery.
- Renaissance: Lymph was identified as a cause of breast cancer, and lumpectomies were performed without anesthesia.
- 19th Century: The history of breast cancer in the 19th century saw many developments. William Halsted performed the first radical mastectomy, X-rays were discovered, and Marie and Pierre Curie also discovered radium and polonium.
- 20th Century: The 20th century witnessed much new research related to mastectomy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, as well as the use of tamoxifen and HER2-positive testing.
- 21st Century: This era witnessed public awareness about the disease, as well as different research and advances in targeted therapies, genetic research, and personalized medicine, which have improved treatments and survival rates.
Types of Breast Cancer:
Some major types of breast cancer are given as follows:
- In Situ: This is a type of breast cancer that is also known as “ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).” It originates in the milk duct and does not affect or grow into the rest of the breast tissue.
- Invasive (or infiltrating) Breast Cancer: This is a type of breast cancer that affects the surrounding breast tissues as well. 80% of patients with breast cancer are affected by this type. Invasive breast cancer has two most common types, which are:
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) originates in the milk duct and spreads into the other parts of the breast. 70% to 80% of patients with breast cancer are affected with IDC.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): This invasive breast cancer starts in the lobules and affects the nearest breast tissues. It can metastasize. 5% to 10% of patients with breast cancer are affected with this type.
- Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: This is also the type of invasive breast cancer that starts in the duct or lobules. These cancerous cells are lack estrogen or progesterone receptors, and they also do not make the protein called HER2. 15% of cases of breast cancer diagnosed with this type.
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer: This type of breast cancer also starts in the duct or lobules and spreads to other breast tissues faster than other types of breast cancer. This type of breast cancer accounts for 1-5% of cases.
- Paget’s Disease of the Breast: This type of breast cancer starts in the skin of the nipple and the areola. 1-4% of cases of breast cancer are affected with this type.
- Angiosarcoma of the Breast: The type of breast cancer that forms in the lining of lymph or blood vessels is known as angiosarcoma of the breast. This is a very rare type of breast cancer that accounts for just 1-2% of all cases.
Causes of Breast Cancer:
Major causes of breast cancer are given as follows:
- Genetic Makeup: Breast cancer originates from a change in DNA inside the breast tissues because DNA instructs the cells to multiply and grow. When DNA changes inside the breast tissues, cells multiply abnormally, leading to the start of breast cancer.
- Family History: The risk of breast cancer increases if there is a history of breast cancer in the family, especially before the age of 50.
- Personal History: If a person has cancer in one breast, then there is an increase in the risk that the second breast also get affected.
- Personal History of Breast Conditions: Specific breast conditions such as lobular carcinoma and atypical hyperplasia of the breast increase the danger of breast cancer.
- Beginning Menstruation at the Younger Age: If Menstruation starts at a very young age, then the risk of breast cancer increases.
- Beginning Menopause at an Older Age: The start of Menopause after the age of 55 also increases the risk of breast cancer.
- Lifestyle Choices: An unhealthy lifestyle and consumption of alcohol increase the risk of breast cancer.
- Having a First Child at an Older Age: Giving birth to the first child at an older age increases the risk of breast cancer.
- Never Having Been Pregnant: Never having been pregnant also increases the risk of breast cancer.
- Inherited DNA Changes: Different DNA changes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase the risk of breast cancer.
- Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Taking medicines and hormone therapy to control the symptoms of Menopause increases the risk of breast cancer.
- Radiation Exposure: Receiving radiation treatments to the chest also increases the risk of breast cancer.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer:
Symptoms of breast cancer are given as follows:
- Lumps or thickening in the breast or armpit
- Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
- Change in the size or shape of the breast
- Pain in the breast
- The area under your skin that feels different from any other part of the breast
- Nipple discharge unrelated to breastfeeding and nipple that is flat or points inward
- Thickening or swelling in a specific area
- Bone pain
- Headache
- Difficulty in breathing
- Belly Swelling
- Nausea
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of appetite or weight
Remedies for Breast Cancer:
There are different remedies for different stages of breast cancer. Some common remedies are given as follows:
- Surgery: This is the first step in removing the tumor and surrounding tissues that are affected. There are two options for surgery, i.e., lumpectomy (includes the removal of the cancer and a small amount of surrounding tissue) and mastectomy (removal of the entire breast).
- Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy radiation for the removal of the tumor or to shrink it. This type of therapy is mostly used after the surgery to remove the remaining cancerous cells.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves using drugs to kill or shrink cancerous cells. There are two types: neoadjuvant (to shrink the cancerous cells before surgery) and adjuvant (to kill the remaining cancerous cells after surgery).
- Hormone Therapy: Hormones can also stimulate the growth of breast cancer, so if the breast cancer is hormone receptor-positive, then hormone therapy can stop the growth of cancerous cells.
- Targeted Therapy: In targeted therapy, specific abnormalities are targeted to stimulate the growth of cancerous cells so that their growth may be stopped.
- Immunotherapy: This therapy strengthens the immune system and helps it fight cancerous cells.
Natural Remedies for Breast Cancer
Some natural remedies for breast cancer are given as follows:
- Diet and Nutrition: It includes a plant-based diet (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains), avoiding processed foods, omega-3 fatty acids (salmon and chia seeds), and turmeric.
- Physical Activity: Regular exercise reduces the risk of breast cancer.
- Mind-Body Techniques: Meditation and yoga for relaxation and fitness.
- Herbal Supplements: Green tea (which contains antioxidants and compounds like EGCG), maitake mushrooms (which strengthen the immune system), and essiac tea (a blend of herbs).
- Mindfulness and Stress Reduction: Stress management techniques, i.e., deep breathing and visualization.
While using these remedies, one must keep in mind that they may improve health but cannot be an alternative to proper medical treatment. So, it is important to consult with a doctor before using these remedies.