A Brief Explanation of Breast Cancer for Beginners

Due to lifestyle change, which has brought increased number working-woman and delayed childbearing, there has been a drastic increase in the risk of breast cancer on women in recent decades. But as the incidence of patients has risen so has raised the modality of treatment and success rates. Also, scientists have created a method that can detect cancer in its early stages and has assured to prove that early detection and treatment bears a better prognosis than the next stage.

Myth
There are many myths attached to breast cancer. Some people argue that every lump in the breast is a breast cancer but instead most of them are benign. So it is a popular belief earlier that breast-feeding reduces one's risk of breast cancer, but which has now been found not true. Some people say that mammography makes the breast cancer widespread but it's not true. Similarly, there are other myths, which need to be cleaned in the minds of the general masses for proper detection and management of tumors.

Early detection
Breast cancer can be detected in early stage if women are taught to examine their own breasts. In the case of detection of any breast lump or the slightest suspicion, mammography should be performed to rule out any tumor. Mammography is a good tool to diagnose this types of cancer.

Statistics
The incidence of breast cancer increased at an alarming rate. It is said that every 2-3 minutes one American woman was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Causes
Although the cause is not fully understood but hypothesized that there are various factors such as genetic and environmental. Environmental factors are increased age, obesity, smoking and having a first child at the end of the age.


Diagnosis
The findings that indicate cancer is the single, non-tender and firm to hard mass with an unclear margin. This can then be confirmed by mammography and biopsy. Once cancer has been diagnosed staging is done to determine the best treatment options and prognosis.

Managements
Management of breast cancer rests basically on two things. The first is the treatment and the second is the counseling. Treatment can then be divided into three: medication, radiation, and surgery. 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 effect profile. side effects associated with tamoxifen increased vaginal bleeding, endometrial cancer and cataracts. Aromatase inhibitors have side effects from leg cramps, jaundice and weight while monoclonal antibodies may cause sterility or certain birth defects.

In general, radiation and surgery are the modalities, which are required for the treatment of the body to cut off cancer growth.

Counseling
This is one of the most important part of breast cancer treatment both before and after surgery. The patient must be taught that this is just another disease, which has treatment available, and people can live a healthy life afterwards.