breast cancer

breast cancer

One out of seven women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Sadly, as many as one in 33 women will die because of it. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women, surpassed only by lung cancer. And while the rate of lives lost from breast cancer is slowly declining, every man and woman should continue to educate themselves about risk factors, treatment options and early detection.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a malignant (diseased) tumor formed within the breast tissue. The female breast is composed of milk-producing glands (lobules), milk ducts and fatty tissue. Lymphatic vessels, tubes within the breast that carry waste and excess tissue fluid, are connected to lymph nodes under the arms. Lymph nodes are hard, bean-shaped collections of immune system cells that are found along lymphatic vessels. Cancer cells can enter lymphatic vessels in the breast, travel to the lymph nodes under the arm and begin to swell. Breast cancer is more likely to have spread to other areas of the body if the infected cells have reached these lymph nodes. This is why doctors stress the importance of testing for cancer cells in this area.

Is there only one type of breast cancer?

There are different types of breast cancer, varying in intensity and locale.

Adenocarcinoma is a term used to describe glandular cancer anywhere in the body. Most breast cancer begins in the milk ducts or lobules. An infection that begins in the lobules is called lobular carcinoma; if it begins in the milk ducts, it is called ductal carcinoma.

Ductal carcinoma in situ is breast cancer that is present inside the duct or lobule, but has not spread to the walls of the duct or any of the surrounding tissue. This is a non-invasive type of breast cancer and nearly all women with this variation are cured.

In situ is the term that describes breast cancer in its earliest stage. When the disease is in situ, the infected cells are confined to the lobes or milk ducts of the breast.

Mucinous carcinoma is a rare type of infection and is caused by mucus-producing cancer cells. This variation also has a high cure rate.

The most common kind of breast cancer is called an infiltrating ductal carcinoma. It begins in the milk duct, breaks through the duct wall and infects the surrounding fatty tissue. The infection can then spread to other parts of the body via lymph vessels or the bloodstream. Approximately 80% of invasive breast cancers are infiltrating ductal carcinoma.

Paget's disease of the nipple is a very rare form of cancer (1% of patients). It begins in the milk ducts and travels to the nipple and areola, resulting in itchy, red, often oozing skin. This kind of cancer can be associated with in situ or infiltrating breast carcinomas, but the prognosis is good if no lump exists in the surrounding area.

Inflammatory breast cancer is the least common variety. It causes the skin on the breast to become warm, thick and dimpled. This is because the cancer cells block the lymph vessels and passages beneath the skin.

Approximately 5% of breast cancer patient are infected with medullary carcinoma. This kind of cancer is well defined, large and surrounded by immune systems cells, which likely accounts for its favorable cure rate.

A phyllodes tumor is rare in that it begins in the connective tissues of the breast, instead of in the ducts or lobules. These tumors are most often benign and are eradicated through removal of the mass and a narrow strip of surrounding healthy tissue. If the tumor is malignant, the tumor and a wider margin of healthy tissue is removed. Sometimes a mastectomy is performed to ensure total elimination.

How is breast cancer treated?

Breast cancer treatments can be localized or systemic in nature. Localized treatments, like radiation or surgery, only affect the tumor and/or other localized, infected tissue. Radiation therapy is a treatment in which high energy rays are used to destroy cancer cells. The procedure itself is painless, but sometimes the skin becomes burned (like sunburn). Patients typically undergo radiation treatment after chemotherapy has ended, five days a week for about six weeks. Most patients undergo some type of surgery—whether it is breast-conservation surgery, mastectomy or lymph node sampling/removal. Breast-conservation therapy involves a lumpectomy (removing the cancerous lump) and subsequent radiation. For women in stages I or II, this treatment is as effective as a mastectomy. For women in later stages of the disease, a mastectomy might be the safest option. A simple mastectomy involves removing the breast but no other tissues or lymph nodes. A modified radical mastectomy involves removal of the breast and some of the lymph nodes beneath the arm. Radical mastectomy, however, involves removal of the breast, lymph nodes and the muscles beneath the breast. There are advantages and disadvantages associated with lumpectomies and mastectomies. Because lumpectomy only affects the tumor, radiation must follow to kill off any remaining infection. The radiation treatments are stressful but conserve the appearance of the breast. Mastectomy does not conserve the breast but rarely precedes radiation.

Systemic therapy, that which affects the entire body, is carried out through chemotherapy, immunotherapy or hormone therapy. Breast cancer that has affected the lymph nodes is treated systemically, as it is more likely that the disease has or could spread to other parts of the body. This type of treatment is administered orally or deposited directly into the blood stream. Chemotherapy involves the administration of some powerful drugs, but is usually very effective. However, as with any potent medication, there are side effects. Some women might experience fatigue, hair loss, decreased appetite, swollen limbs, mouth sores and changes in the menstrual cycle.

What causes breast cancer?

Though certain factors can increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer, its exact cause is unknown. Hormonal changes stimulate cell growth, but the exact reason for the fluctuations is unclear. Heredity also plays a small part—a woman is more likely to develop breast cancer if, for instance, her mother was affected by it. Additionally, it may be difficult to detect cancer in a woman with very large breasts (sometimes an inherited quality), as her tissue is often dense and fatty.

What can I do to reduce my risk?

The unfortunate thing about breast cancer is that some women with many risk factors never become infected, yet others with seemingly no risk do become infected. Some risk factors, like a person's gender, race or age, cannot be changed. But some lifestyle changes can be made to help reduce the risk of developing it. These include:

• Limit the use of oral contraceptives—women who use oral contraceptives for many years have an increased risk of developing the disease. If possible, women should substitute their method of birth control every few years.

• Maintain a healthy weight—being overweight increases a woman's risk of developing breast cancer because fatty tissues, like ovaries, produce a small amount of estrogen. This is significant because an increase in estrogen can further develop the disease.

• Breast feed—this practice is said to reduce a woman's risk because it reduces her number of periods (and estrogen). The same holds true for multiple pregnancies, late onset of menarche and early menopause.

• Have kids when you're young—women who have their first child after thirty have a slightly higher likelihood of contracting the disease. Multiple pregnancies also help reduce risk.

• Seek alternatives to hormone replacement therapy—taking HRTs after menopause, especially those with estrogens and progesterone increase a woman's risk for developing breast cancer.

• Limit alcohol use—consuming a large amount of alcohol slightly increases a woman's risk.

• Don't smoke—cigarette smoke increases a woman's risk, more so if she's been smoking since adolescence.

• Perform monthly self-exams. I may seem uncomfortable at first, but early detection is extremely important. Become familiar with the way your breasts move and feel before, during and after your period. It's best to examine yourself in the shower, when your skin is wet. Using the pads of your fingers, move firmly in a circular direction from your nipples out. Remember that breasts are inherently lumpy and vary in size, shape and sensitivity throughout the month. But see your doctor if you find anything that feels "funny."

Coming to terms with your breast cancer is a very difficult process. There are steps you can take to make sure your experience is as comfortable as possible:

• Ask a spouse, lover, family member or friend to sit with you during treatments

• Inform your doctor of any physical or emotional changes you experience

• Ask questions, even if you feel silly or embarrassed

• Take a break—give your body time to heal

• Seek different opinions regarding diagnosis and treatment options

• Join a support group

• Remember that though many women are affected by breast cancer, more women are treated and cured every day.

Breast Cancer Symptoms – How to Detect Before it is Too 

 

Late

January 18th, 2010

Breast cancer is a serious disorder that attacks women. It is a disease that women dread about. In medical terms, this disease can be defined as a formation of malignant or cancer cells in the breast tissues.

The disease has been termed as heterogeneous. This means that it is a different disease that appears and forms differently in different women of different age groups. Younger women are said to be more vulnerable to this disease.

This disease can be cured if detected early. This is the reason that young women are advised to carry out a self-examination for any kind of lungs inside their breast every three to six months. They should also go for a medical examination in every six months.

When failed to detect, this disease can result in to some real threatening stages. In certain severe and final stages of breast cancer, women are advised to go for a breast removal surgery or masectomy. This is really dreadful moment in a woman life.

Fortunately, this disease can be treated successfully if detected early. Hence, it is very important to learn about the symptoms of breast cancer and keep tabs on any of the warning signs that may hit our body anytime.

Here are some potential breast cancer symptoms to help you learn about this disease and detect it on time in a better and effective way.

- The warning sings

Usually, breast cancer does not carry any pain. However, a woman is still advised to visit her health care practitioner on a regular basis to know about the development of the disease in her body.

Common symptoms

a) Change in breast and nipple feel

You may suddenly experience tenderness of nipple or even a lump or thickening near the breast or underarm area without any specific reason.

b) Change in the appearance of breast or nipple

This means that there is a change in the shape or the size of the breast or a nipple. The nipple may appear scaly, read, swollen, turn slightly inward or contain ridges or pitting similar to the skin of an orange.

c) Nipple discharge

Sometimes, you may also experience nipple discharge. The discharge may be clear or bloody.

d) Pain

You may sometimes feel pain in the nipple.

e) Swelling

Women with breast cancer can even observe swelling or mass inside the arm pit.

f) Lump

A lump near the arm pit or breast is a clear indication of breast cancer.

g) Rash

You would find a rash on a nipple or the surrounding area.

All the above mentioned signs and symptoms are an indication that you may be suffering from breast cancer.

However, there are several other ways to detect breast cancer such as self examination. You can conduct a self examination at your home. Just inspect your breasts for any lumps or swelling, changes in contour of each breast, dimpling of skin or changes in the nipples.

Remember that early detection of this disease is the only way to cure it. You need to focus on the signs and symptoms of this disease in order to detect it. Watch out for the symptoms and be safe

Special thanks to

www.mesotheliomas-laws.com

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