Breast cancer is a common cancer and is the top cause of death in females. In males, breast cancer can also occur but it is not common. About 90% of breast cancer is caused by the mammary gland and milk duct. Breast cancer can occur in both breasts in both the initial stage and after diagnosis. However, the detection of breast cancer in the initial stage can increase the success rate of treatment. Sometimes, females with breast cancer might not have any symptoms. Sometimes, the abnormalities might not be cancer. Therefore, you should see a doctor when the following symptoms occur:
- Have thick lump in the breast or under the arm
- Dent in the nipple with lymph or wound
- Hot and red rash on the breast, like orange peel
- Pain around the breast
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Risk factors of breast cancer
- Age: Females more than 50 years old will have more risks.
- Have a history of breast cancer. Patients with breast cancer on one side will have the risk of having a cancer lump in the other breast by 3-4 times.
- Have a history of ovarian cancer because the ovarian cancer is related with hormone exposure, which can increase the risk of causing breast cancer.
- Have a family member with breast cancer, which will increase the risk of having breast cancer.
- Mutation of BRCA1 or BRCA2, which is related to an increased risk of having breast cancer, and a history of breast cancer and ovarian cancer in the family at a young age.
- Estrogen exposure, which is the female hormone that controls changes related to sexual characteristics. It is found that exposure to estrogen for a long time can increase the risk of having breast cancer.
- Daily habits, such as obesity, lack of exercise, drinking alcoholic drinks, or high radiation exposure.
