Any Type of cancer is bad news and breast cancer is one of them. The Australian government’s statistics of estimated new breast cancer cases that will be diagnosed in 2018 are over 18,000. This means that it is largely prevalent and needs to be dealt with proactively. Here are some things that you may need to know about breast cancer.
1. It’s Not an Old Women’s diseases and Isn’t Caused by Deodorants
Let’s clear this misconception right off the bat: cancer can and has happened to women between the ages of 20-40. People are aware that it happens in the younger generation but it still happens. There is a possibility that the breast cancer can occur in these young women, so they need to be aware of their condition and be more proactive when dealing with breast cancer.
But it is just as important to keep calm and collected and best not to panic as that only adds to the stress. There are many lumps that may appear in a woman’s breast that are not, in fact, cancer and are just benign growths. But if your medical practitioner says you are too young for breast cancer, don’t hesitate to get a second opinion.
2. It May Have to Do with Genetics but You need to Be Vigilant
There are many reasons why people get breast cancer. There are genetics to take into consideration when targeting cancer, especially breast cancer. If someone in your family has breast cancer, that may play a significant role in the development of breast cancer later on in your life.
But there are many cases where people have been diagnosed and they didn’t have a substantially clear link to the disease in their family. This is why it is important for you to be aware of your own particular situation as a young person so that you avoid getting breast cancer despite the associated risks.
3. It May Be a Lump (or Not)
Although a lump in the breast may present a serious risk, as it is one of the warning signs of breast cancer, something else may point towards an incidence of breast cancer. You need to be vigilant and on the lookout for the other signs of breast cancer.
These signs can range from itchiness or a rash on your breast, swelling, redness, a discharge from your nipples, puckered skin, or a change in the appearance of your nipple(s). You need to be proactive and consult your family physician when you notice such changes.
4. Men Can Get It Too
Men shouldn’t get too comfortable either. Although the incidence is “rare,” it’s still a possibility to get breast cancer if you’re a man, it’s strictly not a woman’s disease. The Australian statistics for this year show that nearly 150 males in Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Although that’s a small number, it would be very unfortunate if you were part of that figure.
5. Early Detection ≠ Cure
The prognosis with early detection might be better, but it still doesn’t guarantee a cure. People with early breast cancer may get metastatic cancer where the cancer spreads to different sites in the body. There is no cure for that, but treatments are getting better, so it is good to be proactive in this regard about breast cancer.