BREAST CANCER:- TYPES, SYMPTOMS, RISK FACTORS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
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BREAST CANCER:- TYPES, SYMPTOMS, RISK FACTORS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Introduction
- Definition of breast cancer
- Statistics on breast cancer in India
II. Types of Breast Cancer
- Invasive ductal carcinoma
- Invasive lobular carcinoma
III. Symptoms of Breast Cancer
- Appearance of lump
- Swelling in breast
- Change in shape or color of breast
- Redness or rashes in nipple areast
- Pain in the breast or armpit
- Discharge from nipples
IV. Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
- Genetics
- Age
- Family history
- Hormonal treatment
- Alcohol consumption
- Radiation exposure
V. Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
- Breast examination
- Mammography
- Ultrasound
- Biopsy
VI. Treatment of Breast Cancer
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone blocking therapy
- Biological treatment
VII. FAQs about Breast Cancer
- Can men get breast cancer?
- Are all breast lumps cancerous?
- Is there a cure for breast cancer?
- How can I reduce my risk of getting breast cancer?
- What should I do if I find a lump in my breast?
VIII. Conclusion
I. INTRODUCTION
- Definition of breast cancer
- Statistics on breast cancer in India
II. TYPES OF BREAST CANCER
As explained, breast cancer usually begins in lobules and ducts which form the most common types of breast cancer:-
- Invasive ductal carcinoma – Cancer begins in the ducts of the breast and spread to breast tissues from there.
- Invasive lobular carcinoma – Cancer begins from lobules and spread to breast tissue or to other organs of the body from there.
III. SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER
The most common symptom of breast cancer is the appearance of a lump in breast or armpit area. Different symptoms have been observed in different patients. Some of the most common of them are:-
- Swelling in the breast and the appearance of a lump
- Change in the shape of the breast
- Change in colour of breast
- Redness or rashes in nipple areas
- Pain in some areas of the breast or armpit
- Pain in some areas of the breast or armpit
IV. RISK FACTORS
Doctors have not been able to identify the exact cause of the cancer till now but they believe some people are more susceptible to breast cancer if they fall under one or more categories of the below-mentioned risk factors.
- Genetics – If a patient has a family history of breast cancer, she is more prone as compared to someone who does not have a family history. Inheriting mutated genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 increases the chances of breast cancer.
- Age – Most of the women having breast cancer had it after the age of 50.
- Family history – If someone in the family like your mother, sister, etc. had been diagnosed, then the risk of breast cancer increased.
- Hormonal treatment – Taking hormonal therapy for issues related to menopause can increase the chances of breast cancer.
- Alcohol – Studies have shown that a high intake of alcohol can increase the risk of breast cancer.
- Radiation – Exposure to radiation at the workplace or while undergoing radiation therapy for other diseases increases the chances of breast cancer.
V. DIAGNOSIS
The survival rate has improved a lot in the past decade with all new diagnostic techniques. The mortality rate is around 2.5% only.
Breast cancer is usually diagnosed by checking the breast for any lumps. The doctor can conduct one or more below-mentioned tests to confirm the disease.
- Breast examination – The doctor will check for any lumps in the breast physically.
- Mammography – Doctors can use digital X-rays to check for internal lumps initially. It is recorded on the computer instead of physical film.
- Ultrasound – Doctors can also perform an ultrasound to check if the lump is a fluid-filled cyst or a mass of cells. Sound waves are used in this process.
- Biopsy – in this case, doctors take out a small piece of tissue from the lump to check if the cells are cancerous or not and the stage of cancer.
VI. TREATMENT
Treatment depends on multiple factors like the stage of the cancer, the age of the patient, and the condition of the patient. Multiple types of treatment are listed below:-
- Surgery – Cancerous tissue is removed by surgical operation. This option helps in the further prevention of cancer.
- Radiation Therapy – In radiation therapy, cancerous cells are targeted and killed by radiation. It can be performed before the surgery to reduce the tumor size or after the surgery to kill the remaining cancerous cells..
- Chemotherapy – chemotherapy is done by doctors to kill cancerous cells using drugs orally or through veins.
- Hormone blocking therapy – hormone therapy is used by doctors to block the hormones required by cancer cells to grow. This procedure is not very common and is used only in patients who are not strong enough to resist the hardships of chemo or radiation therapy.
- Biological treatment – Certain drugs like trastuzumab (Herceptin), lapatinib (Tykerb), and bevacizumab (Avastin) can be targeted to destroy the cancerous cell.
VII. FAQs
Yes, although it is rare.
No, not all breast lumps are cancerous.
There is no cure for breast cancer, but there are effective treatments that can help manage and sometimes even cure the disease.
You can reduce your risk of getting breast cancer by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, limiting alcohol consumption, not smoking, and getting regular breast exams and mammograms.
If you find a lump in your breast, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. While not all lumps are cancerous, it is important to get a proper diagnosis and, if necessary, start treatment as early as possible.
VIII. CONCLUSION
Breast cancer is a complex disease that requires early detection and effective treatment. By understanding the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options, individuals can take proactive steps to manage their health and reduce their risk of developing breast cancer. Regular breast exams and mammograms are important tools in detecting breast cancer early when it is most treatable. With continued research and advancements in treatment, there is hope for a future without breast cancer.
