CENTRO DE DETECCION Y EDUCACION DEL CANCER
Av. Mar Caribe #1088, Local 3
San Felipe, B. C. CP 21850
Tel: 686 170 0024

THE BREAST CANCER BASICS: Every Woman Should Know

Breast Cancer is an oft-misunderstood disease for women from every country. There are several types of breast cancer, depending on where in the breast tissue the tumor begins to grow, but most begin within the ducts used to secrete milk for breastfeeding.

But what causes breast cancer?
This is difficult to answer because there is no single cause that doctors know of. Research has shown that there are several factors that come together to increase the risk of breast cancer—a relationship that still is not fully understood.
Some of the factors that have shown to increase the risk of breast cancer include:

AGE: being over 50 years old.
FAMILY HISTORY: a close family member may have inherited a mutated gene linked to the development of breast cancer. Please note that most breast cancer patients have no family history.
REPRODUCTION HISTORY: links to the level of hormones a woman receives during her lifetime. Having your first period before the age of 12, having no children, or having your first child after the age of 30 can increase your risk.
OBESITY: estrogen, which is linked to breast cancer development, is stored in fatty tissue. The greater amount of fat you have, the greater risk that it will affect your endocrine system and breast tissue. Healthy physical activity helps to reduce obesity.
DIET/NUTRITION: it’s important to eat a well-balanced diet with fruits and vegetables as well as low-fat and high-fiber foods.
ALCOHOL: do not consume more than a moderate amount of alcohol.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: although research is inconclusive, much more research is needed to study our air, water and food and their effects.
EXPOSURE TO RADIATION: high doses at a young age (much higher than a mammogram) have been shown to a factor in developing breast cancer later in life.
HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY/BIRTH CONTROL PILLS: linked to the level of hormones a woman receives. The connection between these and breast cancer is still inconclusive.

Keep in mind that many women and men are diagnosed with breast cancer who do not exhibit the risk factors listed above. That’s why it’s important to detect tumors early—when they are small and treatable.
Here are three (3) things you can do to detect breast cancer early:
1. Book a mammogram, especially if you’re older than 40. Book it earlier if your family has a history with breast cancer.
2. Routinely complete breast self exams
3. Seek medical advice if your discover changes; or, if you would like the advice of professionals, undergo a clinical breast exam.

Although an abnormal lump is often thought of as the only physical detection of breast cancer, there are many other physical changes, such as fluid leaking from the nipple, unusual dimpling around the nipple and changes in the skin texture of the breast—similar to an orange.

Breast cancer is complicated and its cure won’t be found easily. But by becoming informed, detecting it early and continuing research into its causes and effects, survival rates will continue to rise.

The San Felipe Cancer Society is a non-profit organization in Mexico dedicated to detection, prevention, treatment and education of the disease that all women fear most.