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Breast Cancer for Beginners
Introduction
Because of the social changes, which has brought increased number
of workingwoman and hence delayed childbearing, there has been a
steep rise in the number of breast cancer patients in the last few
decades. But as the incidence of the patients has risen so has
raised the modality of treatments and the success rates. Also
scientists have devised methods by which the cancer can be detected
in an early stage and it has been convincingly proved that early
detection and treatment bears a better prognosis than the later
stage.
Myths
There are many myths attached to breast cancer. Some think that any
lump in breast is a breast cancer but to the contrary most of them
are benign. Similarly it was a popular belief earlier that
breast-feeding decreases one's risk of the cancer but that has been
now found to be untrue. Some say that mammography makes the breast
cancer widespread but it's not true. Similarly there are many other
myths, which need to be cleared in mind of the general mass for the
proper detection and management of the tumor.
Early detection
Breast cancer can be detected in an early stage if women are taught
to self-examine their breast. In case of detection of any breast
lump or of any slightest suspicion, mammography should be done to
rule out any tumor. Mammography is a good tool to diagnose this
type of cancer.
Statistics
The incidence of breast cancer is increasing at an alarming rate.
It is said that every 2-3 minutes one American woman is diagnosed a
breast cancer.
Cause
Although the cause is not fully understood but it is hypothesized
that there are various factors such as genetic and environmental.
The environmental factors are increased age, obesity, smoking and
having the first child at late age.
Diagnosis
The findings that denote a cancer are single, non-tender and firm
to hard mass with ill-defined margins. This can be later confirmed
by mammography and biopsy. After the cancer has been diagnosed
staging is done to find out the best treatment option as well as
the prognosis.
Management
The management of breast cancer rests basically on two things. The
first is the treatment and second is the counseling. The treatment
can further be divided into three: medical, radiation, and surgery.
The medical treatment consists of drugs such as tamoxifen, which is
an anti estrogen, aromatase inhibitors such as aminoglutethimide
and monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab. But similar to other
drugs they have their own side effects profile. The side effects
associated with tamoxifen are increased vaginal bleeding,
endometrial cancer and cataracts. The aromatase inhibitors have the
side effects of leg cramps, jaundice and weight gain while the
monoclonal antibodies may cause sterility or certain birth
abnormalities. Generally the radiation and surgery are the
modalities, which are needed for the treatment to ward off the body
of the cancerous growth.
Counseling
This is one of the most important parts of the treatment both
before and after the surgery. The patients are to be taught that
this is only another disease, which has treatment available, and
persons can lead a normal life after that.
Latest research
Latest research is being done on both the surgery and the medicine.
For the surgery, surgeons are trying to find out the best way of
surgery so that post surgery the patients have minimal
disabilities. Similar medicines with lesser side effects are being
researched.
Suresh gupta writes about breast cancer
topics.
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