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.
Latest News
 Oneindia | Birkholz receives Hero of Breast Cancer Leadership Award HollandSentinel.com, MI - Patty Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township, has received the Hero of Breast Cancer Leadership Award from the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute for her ... Good Night's Sleep, Exercise Protect from Breast Cancer? Exercise May Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer Diet, Exercise May Modify Breast Cancer Risks |
Two New Compounds Show Promise For Eliminating Breast Cancer Tumors Science Daily (press release) - 19, 2008) — Two new compounds created by a University of Central Florida professor show early promise for destroying breast cancer tumors. ... |
Randomized Phase 2 Study of IMC-A12 for HER2-Expressing Advanced ... MarketWatch - ... trial of IMC-A12 in patients with previously treated HER2-expressing locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer has commenced patient enrollment. ... |
 Canada.com | Psychological Counseling Boosts Breast Cancer Outcomes Washington Post, United States - 17 (HealthDay News) -- Psychological counseling may improve the chances of survival for breast cancer patients, a new study says. ... Psychological Interventions Associated With Breast Cancer Survival Doctors removed healthy breast Group therapy may extend lives of cancer patients |
Psychological Intervention May Improve Survival in Breast Cancer Cancer Consultants, ID - Breast cancer patients who receive psychological intervention during treatment experience improved overall survival, as well as a reduced risk of cancer ... Breast Cancer--Yearly Mammograms and Group Therapy Are Best Digital Mammography |
 Javno.hr | Study: Canola Oil Lowers Breast Cancer Risk InjuryBoard.com, FL - Women whose mothers consumed canola oil during pregnancy and breast-feeding may be less likely to develop breast cancer later in life than those whose ... Maternal consumption of canola oil cuts breast cancer risk in ... Corn oil may promote cancer |
Study identifies causes of bone loss in breast cancer survivors EurekAlert (press release), DC - MAYWOOD -- Osteoporosis is a growing concern among breast cancer survivors and their doctors, because certain cancer drugs can cause bone loss. ... |
 AFP | European patent office restores breast cancer gene patent AFP - PARIS (AFP) — The European Patent Office on Wednesday restored on appeal a controversial patent for a breast cancer gene that had been withdrawn from a US ... |
Power3 Medical Files Two CIP Patent Applications for BC-SeraPro ... MarketWatch - said today that two CIP patent applications have been filed for BC-SeraPro(TM) Breast Cancer blood test and biomarkers by Dr. Ira Goldknopf, its president ... |
Liberty High teacher dies of breast cancer Vallejo Times-Herald, CA - Jackson, a popular Liberty High School teacher for 15 years, died of breast cancer early Monday at her Benicia home. She was 48. From Thursday to Sunday, ... |
Resources
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