According to the Globocan 2002 database, breast cancer ranks first among all cancers in terms of incidence and mortality in women in the world. The basic symptom of breast cancer is the appearance of a lump that feels different than the surrounding breast tissue. Breast cancer development can be due to non-genetic and genetic factors. Genetic risk factors for breast cancer was part of my doctoral thesis. However, I included a table showing the non-genetic risk factors for breast cancer as shown in the picture above.
Few weeks ago, I was perturbed by an incident. One of my relatives delivered a premature baby (fetus of approximately 20 weeks old) who died immediately after birth. It seems the doctors were not sure of the cause and are planning to do a biopsy. I am not sure whether I can put the term “placental abruption” for that condition in which the placenta partially or completely separates from the uterus before the baby is born. I read that placental abruption occurs in 1 % of pregnancies world wide with a fetal mortality rate of 20-40% depending on the degree of separation. It seems trauma or injury to the abdomen, hypertension, short umbilical cord, prolonged rupture of membranes or rapid loss of amniotic fluid that surrounds and protects the baby in the uterus could cause placental abruption. The symptoms include mild abdominal cramps, constant backaches or frequent uterine contractions.
More than half of all menstruating women suffers from menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea. There are two types of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea includes symptoms like backache, leg pain, headache, and dizziness. Secondary dysmenorrhea are the cramps caused by another medical problem such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
I was wondering what causes menstrual cramps. I read that they are caused by prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that are synthesized in every cell of the body. The levels of prostaglandins in the lining of the uterus which increase as menstruation approaches causes uterine contractions resulting in cramps and pain.
