PURPLE ALERT! BREAST CANCER

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and as part of living right and healthy allaroundanatomy blog is committed to this project. Contrary to popular opinion that this has to do with women, anatomically speaking both the male and female sexes has got breast. It could only be said that the breast is more pronounced in the female folks. According to research, breast cancer is rare in men, accounting for less than 1%. On the other side, around 8 in 10 breast cancers are diagnosed in women approximately 12% which is a huge figure.

Photocredit: popsugar.com

Delving a little bit into breast anatomy reveals that the breast is made up of 15–20 lobules of glandular tissue embedded in fat; the latter accounts for its smooth contour and most of its bulk. These lobules are separated by fibrous septa running from the subcutaneous tissues to the fascia of the chest wall (the ligaments of Cooper). Each lobule drains by its lactiferous duct on to the nipple, which is surrounded by the pigmented areola. This area is lubricated by the areolar glands of Montgomery; these are large, modified sebaceous glands which may form sebaceous cysts which may, in turn, become infected. The male breast is rudimentary, comprising small ducts without alveoli and supported by fibrous tissue and fat. Insignificant it may be, but it is still prone to the major diseases that affect the female organ (Ellis, 2006)

Consequently raising awareness for this type of cancer starts from you and I we tell a friend, to tell a friend until the whole world is filled with the right information. Early detection matters a lot and it starts with self-examination, meaning to examine yourself for breast cancer. You can also reduce the risk, if you’ve done self-examination that is but one step. First you examine your family history; your risk is increased if a family member has had breast cancer especially if it is a first degree relative. For instance, probably your mother, or your sister is diagnosed before the age of fifty, speak with your doctor or a medical provider about your breast cancer risk and additional step you can take to reduce your chances of contacting it.

Following the journey of a company in Reno, which is committed to addressing early detection of breast cancer. Director of operations for the company, Matt Bernardis on TED talk had this to say about their research on breast cancer: “we are pushing for a paradigm shift, in a way we address the identification and management of disease specifically in breast cancer. Now I’m not a scientist, I’m not a physician, I’m not an engineer but I can say that I’ve always have a very strong interest at a social level in breast. But it is through my involvement with this technology and the clinical studies which we have undertaken and the results we have seen and that interest has evolved to a much more benevolent and scientific nature. So I’m now passionate about solving problem that a great many wonderful people are subjected to. The prevalence of breast cancer is profound, 1 in 8 women is affected by the disease one way or another. Today the best methodology we have is to identify the disease with a static two-dimensional image which must be interpreted by a human being. That interpretation is of a subjective nature based on the training and capabilities of that human. Impacted by how many mammo-films they studied that day and possibly what side of bed they got up from that morning. We are only humans and finite in our capabilities no matter how brilliant. So we are not at this level of detection but we are well on our way. So change in focus is now wanted from that of subjective interpretation to that of objective analysis. We got it right to a degree where in a recent article we called for the replacement of physicians with artificial intelligence in clinical decision making process. It is a bit extreme but it does have a point; what if we can allow these brilliant physicians the possibility of doing their jobs with the greatest degree of confidence. What if we can offer them data that allow for clinical decisions that are clear, concise, definitive and actionable. I’m here to let you know that we can.”

Now there are simple steps that you can take by yourself to check for the signs of breast cancer, usually you’re advised to check a week after your monthly period. So it is important for women to examine their breast often and often because the sooner breast cancer is detected the better the chances of beating it. and it is the world goal to find a permanent cure to breast cancer.

I have a couple of early detection and breast health tips here which are all over the internet anyways.  Firstly, if you are a woman  above age 40, you need to have a mammogram every year. For women in their twenties and thirties, you should have a clinical breast exam as part of periodic health exam every three years. Do-it-yourself by standing in front of the mirror with your shoulders straight(no slouching, no bending) do a quick visual examination to see the breast are roughly the same size, and if you notice any discoloration. If you see any changes bring it to your doctors attention. For example if you see a bulge, especially if one is bigger than the other, or a dimple in one of the breast. Or if the nipple has changed position or color (nipple misdirection), probably if it is red (inflammation), if it is sore and itchy or swollen. Check for fluids coming out from one or both nipples that maybe watery, milky, yellowish or in some cases blood-stained. Yes! You should see a medical doctor/ clinical anatomist.

Next step is raise your arms and look for these same changes while lying on the bed, preferably remove the pillow so you can feel for lumps around your breast. So you should go in a cyclical motion. Take it one step at a time, gradually. While still lying down use you right hand to feel your left breast, then you left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm smooth touch with the first few fingerpads of your hand. Keeping the fingers flat and together, use a circular motion about the size of a quarter. Don’t forget, for better results it is easier to do this after your monthly period. If you do it a week before your period because of the physiological changes in the body at the time you might not get accurate results. This is not only for women, men out there reading this, it can assist their wives, girlfriends, daughters, and mothers. You never can tell where good information can come in handy and the idea is to help and be kind to one another.

And that is as all around anatomy as it can get. Cheers!