Breast Cancer Causes and Why it’s Increasing Day by Day

Breast cancer cases are steadily increasing worldwide, driven by a combination of factors such as lifestyle changes, genetic predispositions, and environmental exposures. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer globally, with over 2.3 million new cases reported in 2020 alone. The rising incidence makes it a growing public health concern, particularly in both developed and developing countries. 

In this blog, we will discuss what breast cancer is, its types, and its causes. 

What is Breast Cancer? 

Breast cancer is a disease that occurs when cancerous cells multiply in the breast and form a tumor. This is a rapidly increasing cancer in women, typically those who are more than 50 years old, but it is also affecting younger womens. The following are some breast cancer causes that you need to avoid. 

Breast Cancer Causes

There are no known causes of breast cancer, but  some lifestyle changes that might increase the risk of breast cancer:

Hormonal factors

Some breast cancers are linked to estrogen. An increase in estrogen in females is a key reason for the recent surge in cases, especially among younger women.

Obesity

According to various studies, there is a clear link between obesity and breast cancer, including a specific link with inflammatory breast cancer. 

Lifestyle Habits

One of the biggest causes of breast cancer is a change in the lifestyle of an individual. There are drastic changes in our lifestyle in this decade. Lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking alcohol, and a lack of physical activity contribute to a higher risk of breast cancer.

Diet Changes

There are a lot of diet changes in today’s world. Increased consumption of processed foods, red meat, and sugary drinks raises the risk.

Late pregnancies, no breastfeeding, or no pregnancies

Hormonal levels change in women during pregnancy. So, women who dont have children or have late pregnancies and women who dont breastfeed can have higher chances of getting breast cancer.

Family History and Genetics

Most breast cancers are not inherited, but the risk of breast cancer increases if a family member has had breast cancer. 

By taking precautions, you can prevent being affected by breast cancer.

Types of Breast Cancer

There are several types of breast cancer, each with different characteristics:

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) 

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma is a type of breast cancer that starts in the milk ducts. It is a very common type in women.

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma is a breast cancer that starts from the milk glands, also known as lobules. It spreads to other body parts.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory Breast Cancer is a rare type of cancer that spreads among young womens. It spreads rapidly in other parts of the body than other types of cancer. It is more aggressive.  It looks like a rash on the breast. IBC is harder to diagnose. There is no clear cause of IBC.

Breast Cancer Treatment

The following are some of the treatments by which you can cure your disease.

Surgery 

There is some part of the breast or the entire breast removed in the surgery. When a part of the breast is removed, it is called a lumpectomy, and when the entire breast is removed, it is called a mastectomy.

Chemotherapy 

Chemotherapy is used to reduce cancer cells before surgery. It may also be done if the cancer is HER2-positive or does not respond to hormone therapy.

Hormone Therapy 

Hormone therapy reduces the level of female hormones in the body, and this is used to stop or slow the growth rate of cancer cells. The type of hormone therapy depends on the type of breast cancer, the age of the woman, and whether the woman has reached menopause. 

For aggressive types like inflammatory breast cancer, treatment usually involves a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and hormone therapy. Because inflammatory breast cancer grows fast, early and aggressive treatment is critical.

Change Your Lifestyle for Your Betterment 

In short, breast cancer causes involve a mix of age, lifestyle, hormonal, genetic, and environmental factors. The number of cases is going up due to changes in how we live and the world around us. Knowing the types of breast cancer, like inflammatory breast cancer, and the possible breast cancer treatment options can help individuals and families stay informed.