Coping and Thriving: Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Cancer, in general, is an uncontrollable growth of a mass of cells with an abnormal growth. It can also spread into other parts of your body from its original location. Cancer can develop in any living tissue in the body.
Breast cancer is a common type of cancer that can attack the tissues of one or both of your breasts. These cancers, as with any other malignant tumor, can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. It is possible for anyone to get breast cancer. However, there are some risk factors that may increase your chance of getting it:
- Your genetic background
- Being over 50 years old
- Women who experienced their first menstruation early—before age 12
- Women who experienced late menopause after age 55
- Lifetime exposure to estrogen and progesterone
- Being overweight and obese
- Unhealthy diet
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Tobacco and alcohol consumption
Please note that these are only risk factors; it does not mean that if you relate to one or more, you are definitely going to get breast cancer.
There can be many indications that you may have breast cancer. Some of them are listed here:
- Feeling a lump in your breast or armpit
- Pain in your breasts/nipples
- Swelling of your breasts
- Dimples on your breasts
- Discharge or blood coming out of your nipple
If you were diagnosed to have breast cancer, what steps should you take?
Talk to your doctor and learn about your diagnosis as well as the available treatment methods for you.
Remember, you are not alone. Make sure to get the support of your loved ones by educating them about your condition. Also take further steps to get counseling and join supportive online/offline groups. Start preparing for your treatments. This might include changes in lifestyle to gathering the required facilities for the treatments.
Always Remember! You are strong! You can overcome this!
Written by: Rtr. Oshadi Malshika
Design: Rtr. Kavindu Medagoda
Comments
Post a Comment