Information obtained from ihealth, an AfroConnet Venture supported by the Ministry of Health in Zambia
Breast canceris the uncontrollable growth of breast cells. These cells are different from normal, healthy cells. They begin to grow out control and produce more cells that grow into growths, and can spread to other parts of the body.Breast cancer affects females but males can be affected as well in rare occasions.What is a cell?A cell is the smallest part of a living thing that can exist on its own. All living things are made of cells. Living things are plants and animals including us humans. Our bodies are made up of these tiny structures called cells. The cells are not visible to the naked eye. Each part of the body has cells which perform a specific function such as brain, bone, lung, breast etc. all have cells.Is Breast cancer common in Zambia?
Breast cancer is the second commonest cancer after cervical cancer in Zambia,followed by prostate cancer, blood, head and neck cancers.
Breast cancer has now become common partly because most women are seeking medical care when they are sick.
Unfortunately, most women seek medical care when the disease is in its late stages.
Why are some women more likely to have breast than others?
Breast cancer can occur at any age but it is more likely to occur after age 40. Certain factors may cause some women to have greater chance of having breast cancer than other women.
RISK FACTORS
Risk factors include:
- A personal history of breast cancer
- If you had bread breast cancer before, you are more likely to have the disease again.
- A relative (mother, sister, grandmother or aunt) on either side of the family with breast cancer before age 50, or any other type of cancer
- Smoking and alcohol : Your risk increases because tobacco smoke contains over 60 substances that are known to cause cancer.Read more on alcohol on the section of Alcoholism
- previous radiation therapy to the chest area : Radiation therapy is a type of treatment of cancer where high energy rays are used.
- Beginning your periods at an early age : Women who experience their periods early (before the age of 12) have an increased risk of breast cancer.
- Going through menopause at a late stage : Menopause is the time when a woman a woman stops her periods,which usually happens around the age of 50. Those who start menopause late (after the age of 55) have an increased risk of breast cancer.
- You are at a higher risk if you have never given birth before
- Having your first pregnancy after age 30.
- Use of birth control pills for a long time.
- Obesity : Obesity is when someone is very fat in a way that is unhealthy. Some studies had reported links between the breast cancer and obesity.
Most breast cancers occur in women with no factor other than getting older. The majority of advanced breast cancer cases are found in women over the age of 50 and women are more likely to get breast cancer than men.
What about HIV/AIDS and Breast cancer?
HIV/AIDS weakens your body to fight off infections and diseases. Most of the young people nowadays in Zambia are being affected by breast cancer and other cancers because of HIV/AIDS, otherwise most cancers are supposed to affect people from 45 years onwards.
