Yes. Men Can Suffer From Breast Cancer Too.

                                     images courtesy skinandweight.com & wickedroman.wordpress.com


Breast Cancer is usually associated with women, and for good reason as the disease is most common in women, also the word breast itself is synonymous to women, their fertility and sexuality.


However...though rare in comparison to female cases, male breast cancer does exist.
According to the United States 2015 breast cancer statistics 2,350 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2015, while around 440 men will die from the disease.


So how is it possible for men to get breast cancer, when men aren't considered to have breasts as women do?

It's simply because men do have breasts just like women. More accurately, breast tissue.

Before puberty both sexes have a small amount of breast tissue, however, after puberty the female hormone from the ovaries cause the breast tissue in girls to grow progressively while the enter into womanhood, while boys grow into men with non-functioning breast tissue.

While male breast cancer is still being researched, there are risk factors that every man should consider.


RISK FACTORS OF MALE BREAST CANCER

  • Age

courtsy healthymagazine.com
Just like women, men have an increased risk of breast cancer as their age increases. Breast cancer in men is associated with ages 68 to 71.

  • Family History and Genetics


Men who have had family members who have suffered from breast cancer are at an increased risk of developing the disease. Especially if there are men in the family that have had breast cancer. According to the American Cancer society 1 of 5 men with breast cancer have a close female or male relative with the disease.

Men with genetic mutation are also at risk. Specifically those such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.

  • Obesity


courtesy gunnercooke.com

Men that suffer from obesity are also at risk for breast cancer, as obese men may carry higher levels of oestrogen.

  • Alcohol Use
courtesy forbes.com

Men who drink heavily also develop an increased risk for breast cancer due to harmful effects on the liver, a damaged liver can lower male hormone levels increasing their susceptibility.


  • Liver Disease

For the same reasons mentioned above, liver disease can increase a man's risk of breast cancer.

  • Testicle Surgery or Testicle Disease 
courtesy stpeterurology.com

Men who have had a testicle removed, or have suffered from inflammation of the testicles also develop a risk of suffering from breast cancer.



Read about more risk factors by clicking on the links below:

PECS ARE THERE FOR MORE THAN ADMIRING


Men are encouraged to the the male breast self-examination, especially if they have an increased risk of having breast cancer.

To see a video of the male breast self examination click the picture below:

http://breastcancer.about.com/video/What-are-Horizontal-Techniques-for-Male-Breast-Exams.htm

 courtesy skatelogforum.com

For more information on the Male Self Breast Examination click here.



It is advised that men should check their pecs for any lumps, the signs of breast cancer in women are similar to that of men. For more details click here.

SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR



PROBLEMS WITH EARLY DETECTION IN MALES


First of all men tend to not check their pecs for lumps this is one of the contributing factors to decreased detection of the early stages of breast cancer in men, also quite important is the fact that men are less likely to visit a doctor even if they may have a suspicion that something may be wrong...as a result male breast cancer is detected usually in its late stages where survival rates are significantly less.


The point of this post is to make everyone, especially men, keenly aware that breast cancer isn't just a woman's disease, there are people who have lost their fathers, brothers and uncles to breast cancer.

Remember to share the risk factors with the men in your life, and if they have an increased risk ensure that they get checked.

Fellas, if you've found a lump or have  any of the warning signs mentioned above, don't ignore it, early detection is key in breast cancer survival.


Today is the last day in October, but breast cancer awareness doesn't end with the month. Keep reading and sharing and educating yourself and your loved ones.

Blessings to you and yours
#wadadlianstrong


 © October 2015

Breast Cancer Awareness. Risk Factors


What are the warning signs of breast cancer?
Do you remember? I f you don't check out the last post here.

I believe we all know someone who is suffering from, suffered from, or passed away because of this disease, it maybe a friend or a friend of a friend, or for some of us, much closer to home...

Have you ever wondered what factors may make some persons more vulnerable to breast cancer?
Well, you're about to find out, since this post is all about the risk factors of breast cancer.


RISK FACTORS OF BREAST CANCER





To make these risk factors easier to understand let's sort them into those you cannot control, and those risk factors that are related to your lifestyle and for the most part are controllable.

RISK FACTORS YOU CANNOT CONTROL

  • Age

 



There is an increased risk of developing breast cancer as your age increases. According to the American Cancer Society, two in three women over 55 years have been found to have invasive breast cancer.


  • Sex

 


Just being a female is a risk factor. Females tend to higher levels of oestrogen and progesterone which contribute to cancerous cell growth.

  • Age of First and Last Menstruation

 Women who menstruate earlier and start menopause later are at risk. To be more specific, women who began their first period before the age of twelve and women who begin menopause after age fifty-five or later are at risk.
  •   Family History and Family Genetics
BEAUTIFUL BLACK WOMEN - AGING WITH GRACE:  
 courtesy curlynikki.com

Chances are your risk of having breast cancer is higher, if other persons in your family also have had or have the disease. If your mother or sister has had breast cancer your risk is doubled, if both have had it your risk increases.

There are also gene mutations that also play a role in the manifestation of breast cancer, recently the most popularized has been the BRCA gene which is most commonly linked to person with Eastern European Jewish heritage, but there are many others.


  • Ethnicity and Race 

     
    Faith by Annelie Solis
Women of African descent are at a higher risk for breast cancer, along with Caucasian women when compared to women of Asian descent.
There are many studies as far as race and ethnicity is concerned in America, but as far as our region is concerned not as many. However, I did find a study by the Barbados National Cancer Study Group in 2009 where the authors explain:
"Comparisons of breast cancer incidence across the African diaspora demonstrate a gradient, with rates being lowest in West Africa, higher in the Caribbean and highest among African-Americans."
It would be excellent to have a study comoparing the incidence in not only Afro-Caribbean peoples but those of Indian, Chinese, Syrians, and European descent in our region.


  • Breast Cancer History


If you are a breast cancer survivor, you are still at risk for re-developing breast cancer in another part of the affected breast or in the other breast. Always keep following up with your health care professional, and continue self-checks. Never forget that early detection increases survival rates.



RISK FACTORS RELATED TO LIFESTYLE


  • Alcohol Use



Alcohol use is directly linked with breast cancer risk. Increased consumption increases risk. Some studies suggest it may be related to the increase oestrogen levels that alcohol causes in the body. Read more here.

  • Birth Control Use


courtesy verwell.com

Women who use birth control pills have been proven to have an increased risk of breast cancer, however this risk decreases when its use is discontinued. All women who plan on using birth control pills as a contraceptive method ought to have a detailed discussion with their health care providers about the risks relating to breast cancer.

  • Age of Childbirth



Women who give birth after the age of 30 have increased risk of developing breast cancer as opposed to women who give birth at an earlier age. However in certain instances being pregnant can increase the risk of breast cancer.

  • Breast feeding

breast-feeding-ftr 
courtesy rmchildren.org

Breastfeeding has been proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer by 5 to 10 percent, especially in women who continue to do so between 1- 2 years. Read more here.

  • Physical Activity


 courtesy playbuzz.com

Physical activity is now being shown to play a factor in decreasing the risk of breast cancer. While persons with sedentary lifestyles, and persons who suffer from obesity have increased risk of developing the disease.



                                       
courtesy pinterest.com




You must remember, that it is possible for a person to have one or more of these risk factors without ever confronting this disease, whereas another person may have little or no risk factors, and develop breast cancer. Risk factors are not a death sentence, but rather indicators of the potential one has to present with the disease.


Read other articles about breast cancer risk factors below:


*Remember  if you haven't had a mammogram and you are age 40 and above it would be wise to do so. Of course if you have a strong presence of breast cancer in your family it would be even wiser to begin screening earlier.*

What about men though? 
When addressing breast cancer we usually focus on women, but the fact of the matter is... men also suffer from the disease.

Look out for the next post where we'll talk a bit about men and breast cancer as a special topic.

Remember to share this with a friend or family member who may not know these risk factors.
Stay #wadadlianstrong
Blessings to you and yours,

 © October 2015

Breast Cancer Warning Signs. Risk Factors

courtesy primadonna.eu



Every year in October, the nations of the world come together via different events using popular platforms such as social media  to shed an even brighter spotlight on a disease that has taken and still continue to take unique women from our lives.

Breast cancer has been around since the times of  Ancient Egypt and Greece, however it was in the early 90's that the pink ribbon emerged as a symbol of unrelenting revolt against a disease that had affected so many lives for so long.

At the centre of this fight, is not only growing areas of breast cancer research, but also the task of preventive measures that are geared toward educating communities everywhere about the signs of the disease to enable early detection.

BREAST CANCER WARNING SIGNS


  • The Dreaded Lump
Finding a lump in the breast one of the main, and terrifying factors that usually inspires a doctor visit, as its presence is greatly associated to breast cancer.

For many women the texture of their breast may already feel quite lumpy, this is ok, since the breast tissue under the skin has a lumpy texture.

Let's take a brief look at what the breast is made up of...



 courtesy www.soc.uscb.edu

N.B (Mammary glands is just a term used to describe the structures that produce milk.)

As you can see under the skin its not exactly smooth sailing, however, it is important that each woman is strongly aware of what her breast normally feels like. 

This way, if there is a particular lumpiness that is different from what is considered to be normal, one that may feel harder compared to the rest of your breast, your next stop should be to a doctor. Please note that it is also possible to find lumps under the arms.


It is important to mention here, that there are conditions such as cysts and fibroadenoma (non-cancerous tumours) that cause lumps in the breasts. Some women reading this now may have already suffered from these conditions. Some women may have had a non-cancerous lump in their breast for years. Despite this, if this lump changes in size and texture, or you find a new lump, do not assume it is just the same thing repeating itself. 

A new lump, can be a different lump, and an old lump, can become a different lump.

Remember, do not assume... an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

 
  • Painful and Tender Breasts 
courtesy medicalnewstoday.com

To be quite frank, something as simple as a badly adjusted brassiere can cause breast pain for women. Tenderness and painful breasts can also be linked to other events, such as the menstrual cycle, the use of birth control pills. Also, women who are very well endowed may also have breast pain that is associated to back and neck pain. 
However... although pain is not as noticeable as a lump or as frequent as a sign of breast cancer, it ought not be taken for granted, especially when:
  1.  It comes outside of the menstrual cycle
  2. Continues through and after your period
  3. It is a new pain located in one particular spot that isn't relieved by anything.
  4. Is associated with a lump and the other signs that follow.


  •  Changes in Breast Size, and Shape
Many women have asymmetrical breasts. This basically means one breast may be slightly larger than the other. Warning signals ought to sound off if you notice that one breast may be increasing in size for no apparent reason, or if you find the same breast may have a different shape, and seem swollen.
The skin covering the breast tissue also has its own way of showing you that something more sinister may be happening underneath it. Take into consideration:
  1. Darkening of the skin
  2. Dimpling/pitting of the skin, similar to that of an orange. Click here
  3. Itchiness, and redness, or the appearance of an unexplainable rash 
  4. The skin of the breast in question may be uncharacteristically warmer than that of its twin.  

  •  Never forget the Nipples
The breast nipples as well as its surrounding area, known as the areola, can also give signs that may indicate breast cancer. 

  • You may notice a discharge from the nipple that drains either by itself or when you apply pressure. This discharge may be clear, yellow, slightly bloody, or even brownish. 
  • The nipple may seem to be a bit off the centre, as if being pulled downwards. This is known as retraction.  

                                                       courtesy personalhealthcart.com
 
  • There are some women who are born with inverted nipples, but if you aren't one of these women and your nipple has progressively become inverted, this is a very worrying sign that may indicate breast cancer.

courtesy www.plasticsurgery4cyprus.com

  • Nipples themselves may change shape, or you may notice that your nipples start to itch and become flaky and develop a rash or sore that is difficult to heal.

All these signs are even moreso telling as they usually occur only in one breast, that becomes a quite uncomfortable comparison to the other that does not change. 

 At times, even though presenting with one, or more of these signs, there are women who still ignore or deny the possibility of breast cancer. 

In a way this is understandable as fear of discovering something that is more than unpleasant... to say the least is at times frightening and the only way we think we can protect ourselves from facing this fear is denying that a problem exists.

 Sadly, ignoring the problem, does not make it go away, but only worsens the outcome. 
This is why education about early detection is one of the hallmarks of breast cancer awareness.

Lets Summarize...

 
courtesy cancerworld.info

 If you have any of these signs. Go to the nearest doctor. Refuse to wait any longer, and take control of the life given to you. Early detection means a better outcome.

Please click to see the ---> 5 easy steps to the breast self examination.

The video below is a very informative animation of how a breast self exam is also done.
courtesy health central youtube channel

Check out  supplementary reading from the Mayo Clinic.

Wear your pink ribbon proudly. Share the information. Stay Aware.
Do you know the risk factors of breast cancer? Check out the upcoming post.
Blessings to you and yours,
#wadadlianstrong,


 © October 2015



A Special look at Angina in Women Part II. Types of Angina. Prinzmetal Angina.

Prinzmetal Angina


                                                                    


         



















 














                                                          courtesy knowyourmeme.com


First off, Prinzmetal Angina is rare, it represents roughly 2% of angina cases.
It is known to affect women; specifically younger women.


It is caused by spasms in the coronary arteries, that cause a momentary reduction in the blood flow to the heart resulting in severe chest pain which occurs usually while resting either at night or early morning.



What causes the spasms of Prinzmetal Angina?

  • Smoking
  • Cocaine Use (cocaine causes arterial spasms)
  • Amphetamine Use (amphetamines also cause arterial spasms)
  • Stress
  • Endothelial dysfunction - (this is a medical term that describes the abnormally functioning inside lining of blood vessels) it is associated with Microvascular Angina.
Prinzmetal Angina often comes and goes in cycles.
It is known by other names such as Angina Inversa and Variant Angina.

This post is more of an addition to your general knowledge that there is another type of angina that though rare can affect women.

 Read more about coronary spasms at the Mayo Clinic website.




It's October! 
This month is dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness, honouring the brave survivors and equally brave loved ones who have passed on.
Support the cause by your pink ribbons and outfits. 
Look out for articles dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness....

Blessings to you and yours,
 © October 2015





A Special look at Angina in Women Part II. Other Types of Angina. Microvascular Angina.







Do you agree?

In my last post, A Special Look at Angina in Women, I referenced vessel size as a difference between men and women, what did I mean by that?

Well, we've learnt up to this point that it is quite common for men to suffer from angina because of blocked coronary arteries. Whereas women can also have blocked coronary arteries, it is also widely accepted that heart disease in women can debut in the smaller arteries that branch out from the coronary arteries without any obstructions present. 

This is known as Microvascular Disease or MVD.

How is Microvascular Disease Caused?

Microvascular Disease and its effect in women's health is still being studied worldwide, however, here is a general idea of how it comes about:


Bear in mind that there are other names which are synonomous, that you might see  instead of of Microvascular Disease or MVD. Here's a list:
  • Small Vessel Disease
  • Small Artery Disease
  • Cardiac Syndrome X
  • Non-obstructive Coronary Heart Disease

 What does all this have to do with Angina?

Well, Microvascular Disease is associated with a type of Angina known as Microvascular Angina. 
Here's an overview.

For More Reading:

 

Did you know....

 Singer of the popular 2003 hit song "Unbreak My Heart", Toni Braxton was diagnosed with Microvascular Angina in 2008 at the age of 40.

Read more here.

Interview with You Magazine UK, May 9th 2010 p.47 
"I had a 23 per cent blockage in my micro-arteries. At first the doctors thought I needed a heart transplant, then they said I have microvascular angina, which means I will be on medication for the rest of my life."
Toni Braxton






                 
                    courtesy welovetoni.com



Another type of angina, which is rare but is considered to be more common in females is known as Prinzmetal Angina.

To see my post on Prinzmetal Angina click on the image of Prince  in a metallic background below:

PrinZmetal Angina

http://wadadlianhealthblog.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-special-look-at-angina-in-women-part_8.html
courtesy cdn2.pitchfork.com


That's all for now folks. Be sure to read up on Prinzmetal Angina, the last post in our series about Angina in Women, and the topic of Angina as a whole. 

Soon enough we'll be touching on the dreaded Heart Attack, but first...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in honour of this cause, there will be upcoming posts about breast health, and preventative measures all women can practice...




Stay tuned and most importantly stay #wadadlian strong.
Blessings to you and yours,



© October 2015