Health education with creativity

  BREAST CANCER SERIES 2: Cancer Enigma Human cells normally grow and multiply to form new cells as the body needs them. This process is called cell division. When cells grow old and worn-out, they die, making way for these new cells. This process is directed by genetic materials called DNA. Changes to DNA, specifically, changes to the section of the DNA called genes can cause cancers. Proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and DNA repair genes are the three main gene types that are affected by these genetic changes which lead to cancers. Cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body and/or spread to other organs. – World Health Organisation Proto-oncogenes  are normal genes in the cell. They are responsible for cell division and preventing cells from dying, that is to say, they help keep the cells alive. These processes are ver

  BREAST CANCER SERIES 1: Knowing The Breasts The breasts are secondary sex characteristics of females but are also present in rudimentary form in males. The female breasts begin to develop during puberty due to the production of the hormone estrogen and growth hormones.  The breast is a modified  sweat gland. The breast consist of  mammary gland , which is made up of a number of ducts and secretory lobules. Each  lobule  is made of tiny, hollow sacs called  alveoli , which drain into a single  lactiferous duct  (milk duct). The milk  duct serves as the passageway of the milk from the lobules to the tiny holes in the  nipple . The dark area of skin surrounding  the nipple is known as the  areola . Newborns do not see quite well so the areola which becomes darker after birth helps them find their source of food. This illustration shows major parts of the human female breasts. The mammary  glands  are lined by cells known as  myoepithelial cells  which have the ability to contract to rel