BREAST CANCER
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. It is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death among women. However, as the number of cancer cases has increased, so has the survival and recovery rate. This is due to early detection and more effective treatments.
Causes
There are no exact causes of breast cancer and anyone, including men, can be diagnosed with this disease. But there are risk factors that increase the chance of someone getting breast cancer. Some of these factors are within our control, but breast cancer continues to prove it can strike anyone at anytime without warning.
Risk factors
• Being a woman
• Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
• Aging
• Early menstruation
• Menopause after age 55
• A genetic mutation in the breast cancer genes BRCA1 or BRCA
• More than one alcoholic drink per day
• Obesity
• Childless or having children after 30
• Current or recent use of combined estrogen and progesterone hormone replacement therapy
Symptoms
When breast cancer begins, there may be no symptoms at all. However, there are changes to look for as the cancer grows.
• A change in the size or shape of the breast
• A lump in or near the breast or underarm area
• Discharge from the nipple
• A change in the color or feel of the skin of the breast, areola, or nipple
It is important to note that these symptoms do not always mean breast cancer. In fact, most lumps in the breast are benign. However, diligence is key in the fight so it’s important to speak with your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
Diagnosis
As much as we know about breast cancer, there are still some mysteries. No matter how we prepare, the disease continues to strike. Early prevention and diagnosis make breast cancer one of the most treatable forms of cancer. New breakthroughs in science and medicine continue to aid in diagnosing breast cancer and increasing the survival rate.
Screening and prevention options
In the battle against
breast cancer, there are weapons. There are more and more options for
early detection, including genetic counseling, breast
self-examinations, physician examinations, mammograms and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Newer
methods include risk-reducing surgery to remove breast tissue and the
use of chemoprevention agents.
Diagnostic methods
• Diagnostic mammography
• Ultrasound
• Galactography
• Non-surgical aspiration
• Surgical biopsy
• Stereotactic biopsy
• Core biopsy
• Advanced breast biopsy instrument
• Lymphatic mapping
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Treatment
In the past, physicians and breast cancer patients only focused on the here and now of breast cancer. Since many people survive breast cancer, decisions about treatment now focus on the long term. When treatment options are contingent upon future needs, it’s a good thing. It means we are winning the battle.Treatment options
• Surgery
• Lumpectomy
• Mastectomy
• Complete lymph node dissection
• Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy
• Reconstructive breast surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Adjuvant therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Hormonal therapy
• High dose chemotherapy/transplantation