Breast cancer typically affects women aged 50 and older. Signs or symptoms of breast cancer may include a mass or lump in the breast, which may feel as small as a pea; a lump or thickening in or near your breast or underarm that persists through your menstrual cycle; a change in breast shape; dimpling of the skin; a marble-like hardened area under your skin; milk rejection; fluid coming from the nipple; a newly inverted nipple; or a red or scaly patch of skin. In those with a distant spread of the disease, there may be bone pain, swollen lymph nodes, shortness of breath, or yellow skin.
Risk factors include being female, obesity, lack of exercise, alcohol, hormone replacement therapy during menopause, ionising radiation, early age at first menstruation, having children late in life or not at all, older age, prior breast cancer, and a family history of breast cancer (Klinefelter syndrome). Diagnostic methods include a tissue biopsy and mammography. Treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and targeted therapy. The specific treatment plan is determined by the stage of cancer, the type of breast cancer, and individual factors. Early detection through regular screenings is crucial for better outcomes.
If you or someone you know has concerns about breast cancer, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. So, for the betterment of society and to meet the standards of living, the government should tighten monetary policy to avoid inflation, and the government should also arrange an awareness campaign through television to educate people about breast cancer. I hope my concern will be highlighted, and people will realise the importance of breast cancer.
AIMAN IFTIKHAR
KARACHI
