Breast Cancer
Breast cancer has become a more common disease among women in modern times. Once known as an older women's disease, women in their 20's are now experiencing more cases of it. Statistics reveal that the average breast cancer risk is 14%. This climbs by 32% for smokers. The incidence of breast cancer could also be inherited but is likely more too environmental factors and lifestyle. Studies show that two genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 should normally prevent cancer cell growth but when there are abnormalities in these genes, they can become the cause of higher breast cancer risk. Combine this with the present toxic environment and multiple carcinogens and the higher rates are easier to understand.
Typical breast cancer symptoms are the formation of lumps, swelling or skin changes in the breast. However, a cyst or an infection could also exhibit the same symptoms. Regular self-examination of the breast and an annual mammogram would help in early diagnosis of breast cancer. If there is a doubt and concern that breast cancer may be starting, further scans like ultrasound, MRI, CAT, and PET scans should be taken.
Breast cancer treatment depends on several factors, like the size and stage of the tumor, as well as the lymph node and hormone receptor status. Breast cancer is classified as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC).
Modern technology has ushered in several treatment options. They are surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy, and chemotherapy. These treatments could be done singly or in a combination of more than one. Normal breast cancer surgery, called lumpectomy, is done where only the tumor in the breast is removed. Normally, radiation therapy is applied as a follow-up measure to ensure that the remaining breast tissues are hopefully cleansed of cancer cells. In mastectomy, the entire breast is removed and in most cases followed up by radiation and/or chemotherapy. This is because the current understanding of cancer is that they really don't know the cause or the extent so they recommend this in hopes that it gets all the cancerous cells.
In persons having invasive breast cancer, surgery and radiation might be supplemented by an axillary lymph node dissection. Further hormonal therapy or chemotherapy - or both - might be needed in a few breast cancer patients. Radiation therapy is an effective process for the destruction of cancer cells that might remain after surgery. Radiation therapy reduces the risk of recurrence significantly. The side effects of radiation therapy are dependent on the type, duration and health of the patient. Dietary changes and nutritional supplements are highly recommended.
If the breast cancer is hormone-receptor-positive, then hormonal therapy is a primary method of breast cancer treatment. Hormonal therapy stops the hormone known as estrogen to stimulate breast cancer cell growth. In recent times, aromatase inhibitors are preferred to tamoxifen, particularly for breast cancer treatment of post-menopausal women who have hormone-receptive-positive breast cancer. Chemotherapy is resorted to mainly to eliminate any cancer cells that could have spread from the breast to other parts of the body. However, the chemotherapy treatment regimen would differ with each individual. It is very important to be regular in the treatment plan and continue with follow-up checkups to avoid recurrence, as well as a change in lifestyle.
By: Darren Dunner
Breast Cancer
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Breast Cancer Recurrence Often Involves Extensive Tests (Breast Cancer)
Breast Cancer
A widespread ailment that leads to the deaths of millions of women all over the world is breast cancer. It not only causes physical pain and possible death but also hits at the very feeling of feminism. Women who undergo breast removal surgery to get rid of malignant lumps in their breasts feel agonized and traumatized because an essential physical feature resplendent in its feminine glory is lost. Breast removal is inevitable in most cases where there is breast cancer recurrence.
Due to the persistence of the negative effects of cancer cells on the immunity of cells of the body, relapse should not be regarded as an abnormality. Body cells will still be susceptible to a return of the cancerous infection even after a recovery period. The most common time frame for any recurrence is within three to five years from the first medication.
When diagnosed early, most common cancers including breast cancer can be treated successfully. Early detection is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment. Early treatment is necessary for preventing the spread or further pathologic development of the cancer. Nuclear medicine can be combined with antibiotics for treatment of the cancer cells.
It is shocking but unfortunate that many women who have suffered from and been treated for breast cancer once do not recognize the same early warning signs of recurrence once some time has elapsed. It is therefore important that in order to prevent breast cancer recurrence, women need to be vigilant for the same indicators that suggest breast cancer. A second occurrence of breast cancer tends to be more damaging than the first occurrence of the disease.
If you find unusual hardening of fatty tissue in either breast, it's a reason for alarm. If this hardened tissue is found in the same breast which was previously given radiation treatment, it means breast cancer recurrence. In such a case, you must hurry and see the oncologist who had treated you in the past.
An oncologist may occasionally recommend after breast cancer has been diagnosed that you undergo a selection of tests in order to eliminate the possibility of recurrence of breast cancer. A mammogram and a physical examination by a gynecologist are frequently part of such tests.
A breast cancer recurrence may necessitate removal of the breast. If you notice unusual hardening of fatty tissue in any breast, it is a cause for alarm. If the hardened tissue is in the same breast that was previously administered radiation treatment, it indicates a recurrence. In such cases, you must immediately visit the oncologist who had previously treated you. An oncologist may occasionally recommend after breast cancer has been diagnosed that you undergo a selection of tests in order to eliminate the possibility of recurrence of breast cancer. A mammogram and a physical examination by a gynecologist are frequently part of such tests.
By: Stephan Grindley
Breast Cancer
A widespread ailment that leads to the deaths of millions of women all over the world is breast cancer. It not only causes physical pain and possible death but also hits at the very feeling of feminism. Women who undergo breast removal surgery to get rid of malignant lumps in their breasts feel agonized and traumatized because an essential physical feature resplendent in its feminine glory is lost. Breast removal is inevitable in most cases where there is breast cancer recurrence.
Due to the persistence of the negative effects of cancer cells on the immunity of cells of the body, relapse should not be regarded as an abnormality. Body cells will still be susceptible to a return of the cancerous infection even after a recovery period. The most common time frame for any recurrence is within three to five years from the first medication.
When diagnosed early, most common cancers including breast cancer can be treated successfully. Early detection is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment. Early treatment is necessary for preventing the spread or further pathologic development of the cancer. Nuclear medicine can be combined with antibiotics for treatment of the cancer cells.
It is shocking but unfortunate that many women who have suffered from and been treated for breast cancer once do not recognize the same early warning signs of recurrence once some time has elapsed. It is therefore important that in order to prevent breast cancer recurrence, women need to be vigilant for the same indicators that suggest breast cancer. A second occurrence of breast cancer tends to be more damaging than the first occurrence of the disease.
If you find unusual hardening of fatty tissue in either breast, it's a reason for alarm. If this hardened tissue is found in the same breast which was previously given radiation treatment, it means breast cancer recurrence. In such a case, you must hurry and see the oncologist who had treated you in the past.
An oncologist may occasionally recommend after breast cancer has been diagnosed that you undergo a selection of tests in order to eliminate the possibility of recurrence of breast cancer. A mammogram and a physical examination by a gynecologist are frequently part of such tests.
A breast cancer recurrence may necessitate removal of the breast. If you notice unusual hardening of fatty tissue in any breast, it is a cause for alarm. If the hardened tissue is in the same breast that was previously administered radiation treatment, it indicates a recurrence. In such cases, you must immediately visit the oncologist who had previously treated you. An oncologist may occasionally recommend after breast cancer has been diagnosed that you undergo a selection of tests in order to eliminate the possibility of recurrence of breast cancer. A mammogram and a physical examination by a gynecologist are frequently part of such tests.
By: Stephan Grindley
Breast Cancer
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