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.
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