Understanding the Mechanisms of Breast Cancer
What Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a malignancy of the breast tissues that is usually
identified as a small extra mass or lump in the breast in the beginning.
If left undetected for some time, it can spread to other parts of the
body including the surrounding lymph nodes. Most of the cancer of
breasts occur in women, but men can get it too in some cases.
What Causes Breast Cancer and How Does it Spread?
A lot of research has been done to understand the mechanisms and
pathogenesis of breast cancer. It is, however, difficult to predict who
will develop it as scientists do not still know the exact causes of
breast cancer fully. There are, however, several risk factors that may
put a person at higher risk than others. These include a personal
history of breast cancer, family history, age, gender, previous
radiation therapy, hormone therapies, and excessive alcohol drinking.
A recent study published in ‘Cancer Cell International’ Journal found that pepsinogen C (PGC) that belongs to aspartic protease family and is secreted by gastric chief cells is linked to cancer development. Another report published in BMC suggests that penetration of the mammary gland basement membrane by cancer cells is an important step in the progression of the tumor from the mammary glands to other surrounding tissues. These findings also indicate that peptidylarginine deiminase 2 (PAD2) plays a crucial role in cancer cell transfer and movement. A research on a mouse model of ductal carcinoma in situ shows that inhibition of peptidylarginine deiminase 2 activity can maintain basement membrane integrity in xenograft tumors. PAD2 depletion or inhibition can suppress cell migration and alter the morphology of cells and can serve as a potential treatment option in future.
How to Prevent Breast Cancer?
We can little do to prevent cancer since we do not know the exact
cause. However, in view of the recent findings and the knowledge of
probable causes of the cancer, researchers have come up with a list of
things that can benefit toward a cancer-free life. Pomegranate is a
nutrient-rich unique fruit that has been used for centuries for the
prevention and treatment of various inflammation-driven diseases. This
has been proved through certain studies published in reputed journals of
nutrition. A few studies suggest an inverse relationship between
vitamin D levels and breast density. As breast density is considered a
risk factor for breast cancer, monitoring your vitamin D levels can
offer a starting point as a prevention strategy. Some studies reinforce
the assumption that higher levels of 25(OH)D pre-menopause and vitamin D
are associated with lower breast density. Screening is an established
approach to keep a track of what is going on in your body. Doctors
recommend a regular screening after every three years after the age of
40. If you are a higher-risk individual, it may be recommended to start
the screening even earlier and more often. Keeping your weight under
control, nutritious diet intake, and limiting alcohol consumption are
other elements of your cancer prevention strategy.
To know more about breast cancer, please visit our breast cancer center here.
Mohd Salman, MBBS, is a medical science professional and is associated with DiseaseFix as a content guide and researcher. DiseaseFix develops health information modules for patients and provides a unique platform to allow access of summarized reliable information of a variety of types obtained from thousands of information sources.