NAVIGATING THROUGH CAUSES AND PREVENTION METHODS OF BREAT CANCER

Ritika Bhatia
8 hours ago
3 min read

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, arising from malignancy in the mammary glands. According to Cancer Research UK (2022), over 55,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the UK alone, with an expected 2% increase in incidence by 2035. The incidence of breast cancer increases with age, with more than 80% of cases diagnosed in women aged 50 and older.

Risk Factors:

Several risk factors contribute to the development of breast cancer:

Increasing Age: As age advances, the likelihood of breast cancer increases.

Early Menarche and Late Menopause: A longer exposure to estrogen during a woman’s lifetime is associated with a higher risk.

Nulliparity (no children): Women who have never given birth have a slightly increased risk.

Family History: A strong family history of breast cancer significantly raises the risk.

Lifestyle Factors: Smoking and alcohol consumption are modifiable risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer.

Protective Factors:

Some factors can reduce the risk of breast cancer:

Maternal Age <20 years: Having children at a younger age is protective.

Breastfeeding for >1 year: Prolonged breastfeeding has been shown to lower the risk of developing breast cancer.

Genetic Factors:

Breast cancer can be classified as sporadic (90%) or familial (10%). Genetic mutations play a significant role in the development of familial breast cancer:

BRCA1 Mutation: Associated with a more aggressive form of breast cancer, located on chromosome 17q.

BRCA2 Mutation: Associated with a less aggressive form and located on chromosome 13q. This mutation is more common in males with breast cancer.

p53 Mutation: Common in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and HER2-positive breast cancers.

Genetic Testing and Screening:

BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing should be performed in women with a high risk of developing breast cancer, particularly those with a family history or those who have had a personal history of related cancers, such as ovarian or fallopian tube cancer.

Indications for Screening Include:

A BRCA1/2 mutation in a blood relative.
A personal history of ovarian or fallopian tube cancer.

Lifestyle Modifications for High-Risk Patients:

For those with a high risk of breast cancer, particularly those with BRCA mutations, lifestyle modifications are recommended:

Weight Reduction: Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial.
Smoking Cessation: Smoking has been shown to increase cancer risk.
Regular Exercise: Exercise helps in reducing overall cancer risk.
MRI Breast Screening: Women with BRCA mutations should start MRI breast screening from age 25.

Risk Reduction Strategies:

Several preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer:

Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy: Removal of both breasts, sparing the skin and nipple, can reduce the risk by up to 95%.
Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy: Removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes reduces the risk of breast cancer by 50% and ovarian cancer by 90%.
Tamoxifen (SERM): Selective estrogen receptor modulators like Tamoxifen can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 47% in high-risk individuals.

Investigations and Diagnostic Methods:

Breast cancer diagnosis involves several tools and techniques:

Core Needle Biopsy: Provides tissue for histopathological examination.

PET-CT Scan: Helps in staging and assessing metastasis.

Immunohistochemistry (IHC): This tests for Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR), and HER2 Neu status, which are crucial for determining treatment options.

Ki-67 Marker: This is a proliferation index marker, used to assess tumor growth rate.

Conclusion:

Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge, but advances in research, early detection, and personalized treatment options have dramatically improved survival rates. Genetic screening, lifestyle changes, and preventive surgeries offer opportunities for reducing risks, particularly in high-risk individuals.

References:

Cancer Research UK. (2022). "Breast cancer statistics." https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/statistics

National Cancer Institute. (2022). "Breast cancer: Risk factors." https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast

American Cancer Society. (2021). "Breast Cancer." https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer.html

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board