Along with FICCI FLO Jaipur Chapter and Sita Devi Hospital, we are proud to present our next campaign supporting the awareness of breast-cancer. The campaign is named ‘Free taBOOBS’. Provocative?
With a name like this, we want to free women from the shame of discussing this topic. Our motto is to end this taboo & free women from breast cancer.
To begin with, let us learn some crucial basics every woman must know.
A) What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. It is a group of cancer cells that can grow into breast and can spread to other parts of the body. Please note that even men can get this kind of cancer.
B) Types of breast cancer?
- Single breast tumor
- Both breast cancer.
- A mixture of invasive and in situ cancer. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)is a pre-cancer situation where the cells have not spread through the walls of the ducts into the surrounding breast tissue.
- And in some rarer types of breast cancer, the cancer cells may not form a tumor at all.
C) Why breast cancer is a concern?
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. The chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman’s death is about 1 in 36 (about 3%). However, with earlier detection through screening, increased awareness and improved treatment; the rate of death from this cancer has been decreasing.
D) Who can get breast cancer?
- Anyone with breast tissue can get breast cancer including men. Women of all ages from 20s to late 50s or beyond can develop this cancer. But your risk increases with age, so the older you are, the more likely you are to develop breast cancer.
- Also, who have a family history of cancer can develop it.
- Breast cancer is less common in women whose menstrual periods started at a later age, whose menopause started early, who breast fed, who had children before age 30, who exercise and who are not overweight. But even these traits do not prevent breast cancer—they only give you some protection from developing it. Nothing can completely protect you.
- If you started menstruating before age 12 or if you went through menopause after age 50, your risk for breast cancer is slightly increased.
- If you have not had children, or had your first child after age 30, your risk for breast cancer is slightly increased.
- Your breast cancer risk may be slightly lowered if you breastfeed your children, especially if you continue nursing for 1.5 to 2 years.
- High alcohol intake.
- Women who are overweight, especially after menopause, are at increased risk for breast cancer.