Breast cancer for beginners
by: Mansi Gupta
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.
About the Author
Mansi gupta writes about breast cancer topics.
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