Breast cancer is a malignant condition characterized by the uncontrollable and abnormal growth of a group of cancerous cells. The most number of cancer cases among women in the country are of this type, second only to skin cancer. One should be aware of the early warning signs of breast cancer to manage the disease effectively. Symptoms of breast cancer The following are some of the early warning signs of breast cancer and are classified according to the type of breast cancer: General Redness, inflammation, and pitting of the skin on one or both breasts Thickening of the skin, nodes, or an odd lump on one or both breasts, and these may also appear inside the breast Peeling and flaking of the skin on the nipple A breast feeling hard, tender, or warm to the touch Increase in breast size or changes in the shape of the breast over a short period of time Changes in the color of a breast Itchiness and irritation of the breast skin General pain on one or both breasts Nipple discharge (apart from milk) Changes in terms of the appearance of one or both the nipples Invasive breast cancer Invasive breast cancer is the presence of cancerous cells in the milk ducts that eventually break out into the nearby tissues of the breast.

More than 9,500 people in the country are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, making skin cancer the form of cancer diagnosed most often in the country. More people are diagnosed with this form of cancer than all the other cancers put together. There are several types of skin cancer. What is skin cancer? The skin is made up of several types of cells. Squamous cells are located on the skin’s surface, and as they die and flake off, basal cells come up to replace them. Other cells include melanocytes that contain the pigment that protects the skin from the UV rays of the sun and Merkel cells that allow us to feel sensations. Any of these cells can become cancerous and cause different types of skin cancer, and the treatment depends on which cells have been affected by the disease. Types of skin cancer Basal cell carcinoma : The most common among the different types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma affects people with fair skin. It is caused by frequent exposure to the sun or tanning lamps/beds, and this cancer develops in the lowest layer of the skin. It appears as a fleshy bump or pale pink skin patch and commonly affects the head, neck, and arms.

Asthma is a chronic condition in which one’s airways swell up and narrow. They produce extra mucus, which can lead to difficulty in breathing. Common symptoms of the disease include coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Although most patients learn to live with it, asthma can be life-threatening in the case of a severe attack. There is no complete cure for it yet, but there are many methods to prevent or control attacks. This can be done by using inhalers (control and rescue), inhalant steroids, etc. Additionally, one can control their diet and maintain a healthy lifestyle to manage asthma. Lifestyle tips for managing asthma By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, asthma can just be regarded as an inconvenience, and not be a condition that disrupts everyday life. Diet Maintaining a healthy diet is always in your benefit and avoiding foods that trigger asthma can do the trick. Apart from foods you’re already allergic to, the following are food items that may trigger asthma attacks: Eggs Peanuts Tree nuts Shellfish Milk Soy Wheat To prevent asthma from developing, the following foods are recommended to be taken in abundance: Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids Olive oil Fresh fruits Vegetables Whole grains Exercise To keep your lungs working well and healthy, it is always best to keep fit.

Cancer is the rapid and abnormal growth of a group of mutated cells. When this mutation occurs in the cervix, it is called cervical cancer. The cervix is the lowermost part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. This type of cancer is quite rare and affects around half a million women in the United States every year. The human papillomavirus (HPV) and it’s various strains are a sexually transmitted infection, which is a major cause for the development of the disease. There are two types of cervical cancer, namely, adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Early warning signs and symptoms of cervical cancer Abnormal vaginal bleeding Vaginal bleeding occurs mostly after cancer has spread to the nearby tissues. Bleeding can be normal spotting also, which is a common thing for many women. It is important to consult your doctor if the following symptoms are experienced: Bleeding in between menstrual cycles Heavy flow during menstrual periods Lengthy menstrual periods Bleeding post sexual intercourse Bleeding post a pelvic exam Bleeding which results in anemia Bleeding that causes fatigue and dizziness Vaginal discharge and foul smell If the cervical tumor lacks oxygen, the cells may die, causing an infection. The infected tumor, in turn, causes a very foul odor through vaginal discharge.

Contraception is the artificial usage of equipment or procedures to prevent pregnancy following sexual intercourse. It is mostly carried out by preventing the flow of semen of a man from reaching the ovum of a woman. There are many methods through which this can be achieved and most of them are given below. There are five major categories under which contraceptives can be classified. LARC: Long-acting reversible contraception There are two types of LARC, namely, intrauterine methods and implants Intrauterine methods An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small device that is placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It can remain inside and function efficiently for many years. It can be removed when the woman wishes to do so. A hormonal IUD releases a hormone called progestin, which thickens the cervical muscles and blocks the flow of the sperm to the ovum. A copper IUD prevents the flow by itself. Even if the egg gets fertilized, the presence of the device will physically stop the egg from getting implanted in the lining of the uterus. Implants Implants mostly consist of implantable rods that are small, fixed, and made of plastic. It is placed inside a woman’s upper arm and releases progestin to prevent pregnancy.