Knowing the Risks Can Help
Breast cancer can affect men and women, and it is the most common cancer according to the World Health Organization, which is why it is good to know the risk factors for breast cancer, along with treatment options like Kisqali, a medicine used to treat a type of breast cancer. It works by blocking certain proteins in the body that help cancer cells grow. By doing this, it helps slow down or stop the cancer from getting worse.
Drinks to Avoid for Breast Cancer
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Sugary drinks.
- Caffeinated drinks (in excess).
- Highly processed or artificially sweetened drinks.
- Full-fat dairy products.
- Unfiltered tap water.
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What are the Risk Factors?
It’s important to know what factors could put you at a higher risk for getting breast cancer, as some are avoidable, and lifestyle changes can reduce the chances of getting the disease. Here are some of the common risk factors.
Age
The first risk factor for breast cancer is age, because the older you get the more likely you are to be diagnosed. Over 80% of breast cancers are diagnosed in people over 50 years old, which is thought to be because the older you get, the more likely you are to develop abnormal cells.
Family History
If a female relative has had breast cancer, particularly if they were under 40 when diagnosed, then you will have an increased risk of getting it yourself. Relatives can include your mother, daughter or sister.
Genetic Factors
Your risk of getting breast cancer is increased if you inherit one of the gene mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. It is more likely that it will be diagnosed at a younger age and it affects both breasts rather than just one.
Reproductive History
Once you hit the ages where you experience periods and menopause, this increases your breast cancer risk. If you started periods early, before the age of 12, and went through menopause late, after 55, then you will have been exposed to estrogen and progesterone for a longer period, which puts you at a greater risk for developing breast cancer. If you had your first baby over 30, or have never given birth, then you are at a slightly higher risk too.
Ethnicity
In the U.S., the chances of getting breast cancer are much less if you are Hispanic. The statistics demonstrated on Susan Komen’s website show that the lifetime risk of a breast cancer diagnosis is 13% for Caucasian women, 12% for African Americans and African Canadians, and only 10% for Hispanics.
However, these differences are mostly attributed to the different populations’ likelihood of experiencing the other risk factors above. For example, Hispanic ladies are more likely to have children at a younger age, thus putting them at a lower risk.
Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol increases the risk of getting breast cancer and the more you drink the higher the risk. Drinking two to three units per day increases the risk by around 20% compared to non-drinkers.
BMI
If you are overweight after menopause, then you are at an increased risk of cancer. Interestingly, being overweight before menopause decreases your risk, but if you gain weight as an adult then it increases again.
Hormone Treatments
Taking the birth control pill or HRT can slightly increase your risk of breast cancer.
Other Factors
Other lifestyle factors that can increase your risk of breast cancer include being unfit, as physical activity reduces the risk.
Why is it Important to Diagnose Early?
Breast cancer cells are most commonly found in either the ducts that produce milk or in the lobules which form glandular tissues. It is therefore most frequently categorized as either invasive ductal carcinoma or invasive lobular carcinoma. Other categories of cancer start in the breast, for example, angiosarcoma, but these are less common than the ductal and lobular types.
Early diagnosis of breast cancer gives patients the best chance of survival. Survival rates have improved enormously in recent times, partly due to awareness and early detection. Advances in treatment options have also contributed to the reduction of deaths from the disease. According to Cancer Research UK, survival rates have doubled in the last 40 years, rising from 40% to 78%.
The most effective way to detect breast cancer at its earliest stages is using screening, such as a mammogram or ultrasound. These methods will often find tumors when they are smaller and less likely to be detected during a breast self-examination. A mammogram can detect a tumor for up to two years before it can be felt by the patient or doctor. The cancer cells are less likely to have traveled beyond the breast into adjacent lymph nodes and beyond, making it easier to treat, which means having a higher likelihood of survival.
Self-awareness is vital, so it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer so that you can see a doctor if you notice anything abnormal. Most lumps are benign, but it is always best to get them checked out as soon as possible, just in case there is something suspicious and further investigations are required.
How to Prevent Breast Cancer
If you are at a greater risk of breast cancer, then regular screening will start earlier in life and should be more frequent. Your doctor can advise what the usual frequency is based on your specific circumstances, for example, if you carry the BR1CA gene or have a close female relative who has been diagnosed.
Kisqali for Breast Cancer
Kisqali, a potent medication prescribed for a specific subtype of breast cancer, operates by targeting specific proteins crucial for the proliferation of cancer cells within the body. Through its targeted action, Kisqali effectively impedes the growth and spread of cancerous cells, thereby slowing down or halting the progression of the disease. By disrupting these vital proteins, Kisqali serves as a formidable ally in the fight against breast cancer, offering patients the potential for improved outcomes and a brighter prognosis.
How to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer
If you notice that any of the above risk factors apply to you, then you can change your habits to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Drinking less alcohol, losing weight, and starting an exercise program will make you healthier and help reduce the risk.
Consider the use of oral contraceptives or HRT and discuss with your doctor whether they could increase the risk of breast cancer. However, many of these factors only increase the risk very slightly, and even if you inherit the BR1CA or BR2CA gene, then there is no guarantee you will get breast cancer. Some ladies opt for a double mastectomy if they carry the gene, or have a strong family history, which reduces the risk by 90% to 95%, but it is a very personal choice that must be discussed with your doctor.
