Cancer causes of death of 6 million lives a year. Modern medicine is aging, with the breathtaking advances in the treatment against cancer with increasing awareness, prevention, detection, treatment, research and symptom management. Last 15 years has been a revolution. It is likely to fight against cancer by getting an early detection, especially at a pre-cancer remedy thus gives the best treatment time is much shorter, lower costs, less body insult.
Am I at risk for breast cancer? Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women in North America and Europe. Every woman is at risk for breast cancer. About 200,000 breast cancer cases are diagnosed in the United States in 2001. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women after lung cancer. The lifetime risk of any woman in particular, breast cancer is 1 to 8, although the risk of dying from breast cancer is much less than 1 / 28. Once the diagnosis was confirmed by Dr Shock in a way that not only the patient suffers, but the whole family is in shock. Thus, the patient and his family so much suffering in different ways and that adds to the burden of disease associated with cancer.
Know Your Breast: The breast is a collection of glands and fatty tissue that lies between the skin and chest wall. The glands inside the breast produce milk after a woman has a baby. Each gland is known as a lobule, and many of these lobules is a tower. There are 15 to 20 spots in each breast. The milk comes from the gland nut shaped tubes called ducts. Glands and ducts are becoming more when a breast is filled with milk, but the fabric is most responsible for the size and shape of the breast is adipose tissue. There are also blood vessels and lymphatics in the chest. Lymph is a clear liquid waste product that gets drained to the lymph nodes of the chest. Lymph nodes are small, pea-sized pieces of tissue that filter and clean the lymph. Most lymph nodes that drain the breast under the arm in the axillary lymph said.
Risk factors for breast cancer: They can be divided into those you can not change, and those you can change. Some factors that increase your risk of breast cancer that you can not change include female being, aging, having a family history (having a mother, sister or daughter with breast cancer doubles your risk), which history of breast cancer, had radiation to the chest area, Caucasian, getting your periods young (before 12 years), having your menopause late (after 50 years), never having children or having when you are older than 30; with a genetic mutation that increases risk. Genetic mutations of breast cancer has become a hot topic of research lately. Between 30-10% of breast cancer may be related to changes in the gene either BRCA1 or BRCA2.
Women can inherit these mutations from their parents and may be useful to test for the mutation, if a woman has a family history of cancer especially breast (or more relatives affected, especially if they are aged 50 when the disease). If a woman is found to carry the mutation, it has a probability of 50% of breast cancer before she is 70 years. Family members may choose to be tested to see if they have the mutation as well. If a woman does not have the mutation, she may get stricter controls or even the purpose of prevention (prophylaxis) mastectomies to decrease her chances of getting cancer. The decision to test is very personal to be discussed with a doctor who is trained in counseling patients about genetic testing.
Some factors that increase the risk of a woman developing breast cancer can be altered as well as hormone replacement therapy (long-term use of estrogen with progesterone, the symptoms of menopause slightly increases the risk), the contraceptive pill (very small risk that the loss of women stopped them for over 10 years), not breastfeeding, drinking 2 - five drinks per day, being overweight (especially after menopause), or used. All of these modifiable risk factors are not as important as sex, age and family history, but they are things a woman can control that can reduce the likelihood of developing cancers of the breast. Remember that all risk factors are based on probabilities, and even someone with no risk factors can still get breast cancer. Screening and early detection are the best weapons to reduce the mortality associated with this disease.
What are the signs of breast cancer? Unfortunately, the early stages of breast cancer have no symptoms. Therefore, it is important to follow screening recommendations. As the tumor grows in size, can cause a variety of symptoms, including: fixed or thickening in the breast or under, change the size or shape of the breast, nipple discharge or nipple turning inward, redness or scaling of the skin or nipple, ridges or pitting of breast skin
You can prevent breast cancer? An individual can not control the main risk factors for developing breast cancer. There are some risk factors that are associated with an increased risk, but there is no clear causal relationship. Absolutely can not make strong recommendations, such as cause-effect seen in lung cancer and tobacco. There are some risk factors that can alter a woman who could influence the development of breast cancer. If possible, a woman should avoid long-term hormone replacement therapy, having children before age 30, breastfeed, avoid weight gain, physical activity and proper diet, and limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day or less. Women are already at high risk, their risk of developing breast cancer can be reduced by approximately 50% of drug called Tamoxifen for five years.
Tamoxifen common side effects (such as hot flashes and vaginal discharge), which are not serious and some uncommon side effects (such as blood clots, pulmonary embolism, stroke and cancer of the uterus), which are life threatening . Tamoxifen is not widely used for prevention, but can be useful in some cases.
There are limited data suggest that vitamin A may protect against breast cancer, but further research is needed before it can be recommended for prevention. Further investigations are plant estrogens (natural estrogen, which is in abundance in soybeans), vitamin C, vitamin E and other substances. Further studies of these drugs are also needed before it can be recommended for the prevention of breast cancer. Currently, the most important thing any woman can do to reduce their risk of dying from breast cancer is to have regular mammograms, conduct self-examination once a month. Follow a few easy steps you'll soon know what is normal for you and will quickly become aware of any changes. If you find a lump or other change, impairment where it is and make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible.
The issue of young women is the way you see? Well, it's doctor recommended to stand in front of the mirror, hands at your sides. Raise your hands above your head and move side to side, so you can see her breasts in the mirror from different angles. What should you look for? Changes in the size of a breast form, or change the position of the nipple, bleeding or bleeding nipples, unusual dimpling or puckering.
How can you change? Lying on his head on a pillow. Put the folded towel under the shoulder side of the breast is occurring. This will help the fabric so that it is easier to hear. Examine one breast at a time. Put your hand on the same side you are going to examine the breast under the head. With your other hand flat and fingers, use your fingers to feel around the apartments, small breasts, turn counterclockwise. Cover the entire breast including the nipple. Check the armpit lumps in the same way, from top to bottom and moving towards the empty chest.
Now consider the other breast the same way. If you think you've found something that feels the same area on the opposite breast. If they are the same, it is probably fair to your form, but if you're worried at all, go to the doctor. Breast cancer occurs when cells in the womb starts to grow out of control and can invade surrounding tissues or spread throughout the body. Large collections of this control tissue are called tumors. However, some tumors are not really cancer because they can not spread or threaten someone's life. These are called benign tumors. Tumors that can spread throughout the body or invade nearby tissues are considered cancer and are called malignant tumors. Theoretically, any type of tissue in the form of breast cancer, but usually it comes from either the ducts or glands.
Because it can take months or years for a tumor to get large enough to feel the breast, we screen for tumors with mammograms, which can sometimes see disease before we can feel it.
The sooner that breast cancer is detected, the greater the likelihood that treatment can be curable. Screening mammograms are simply x-rays of each breast. The breast is placed between two plates for a few seconds while the X-rays are taken. If something appears abnormal, or better views are needed, especially enlarged views or angle films taken during the mammogram. Mammograms often detect tumors before they can feel and can also identify tiny specks of calcium that could be an early sign of cancer. regular screening mammograms can reduce breast cancer mortality by 30%. Women should have a yearly mammogram after age 40 (although some groups recommend starting at 50), and women with a genetic mutation that increases the risk or family history may begin even earlier. Between the ages of 20 and 39, all women should undergo a clinical breast exam every 3 years and after age 40 all women should undergo a clinical breast exam done each year.
There are screening methods are being studied experimentally. These include MRI, ductal lavage, ultrasound, optical tomography, PET and digital mammography. According to the results of mammography and / or ultrasound, your doctor may recommend that you get a biopsy. A biopsy is the only way to know with certainty whether you have cancer because it allows your doctor to obtain cells that can be examined under a microscope. There are different types of biopsies, they disagree on how much tissue is removed. Some biopsies use a very fine needle, while others use thicker needles or even require a small surgical procedure to remove more tissue. Your team of doctors to decide which type of biopsy you need depending on your particular breast mass. When the tissue is removed, a pathologist examine the sample.
Pathologist can tell if it is cancerous or not and if it is cancer, so that the pathologist will characterize it by what type of tissue it arose, how it looks abnormal (known as grade), if it invades surrounding tissues, and if the bump was all removed, the pathologist can tell if cancer cells left border (also known as margin). Pathologist will also test the cancer cells to the presence of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor and HER-2/neu called. Four basic stages of breast cancer is known as
Stage 0 (called carcinoma in situ) lobular carcinoma in situ (LCI) refers to abnormal cells lining a gland in the chest. ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) refers to abnormal cells lining the canal.
Phase I - early stage breast cancer where the tumor is less than 2 cm in diameter and has not spread beyond the breast
Phase II - early stage breast cancer if the tumor is either less than 2 cm and has spread to lymph nodes under the arm, or the tumor is between 2 and 5 cm (with or without spread to lymph nodes under the arm) or the tumor is larger than 5 cm and has not spread outside the breast
Phase III - locally advanced breast cancer when the tumor is larger than 5 centimeters and has spread beyond the lymph nodes under the arm, or axillary lymph nodes the cancer has spread, or the cancer has spread to lymph nodes near the breast or other tissues near the breast
Stage IV - metastatic breast cancer, where cancer has spread outside the breast to other organs in the body
Stage of your cancer, your doctor may want additional tests to see if you have metastatic disease. If you have a stage III cancer, is likely to get a chest x-ray, CT scan and bone scan to look for metastases. Each patient is an individual and your doctor decide what is necessary to plan adequate cancer.
What are the treatments for breast cancer?
Surgery: Nearly all women with breast cancer is a type of surgical procedure in their treatment, some women have called for a so-called breast conservation therapy (BCT), where surgeons perform lumpectomy When they removed the tumor in the breast tissue around a bit ', but do not remove the entire breast. Some patients have sentinel node biopsy procedure first sap if a formal lymph node dissection is not necessary. Sometimes the surgeon removes most (but not the whole breast), and this is called a segmental or partial breast. Most patients with DCIS treated with lumpectomy is that radiotherapy to prevent local recurrence DCIS.More advanced breast cancer are usually treated with radical change in the breast. side modified radical means removing the entire breast and lymph node dissection under his arm.
Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs that go throughout the body. Higher stage of cancer you have, the more important it is that you get chemotherapy, but also in stage I patients may benefit from chemotherapy in some cases. Early stage patients with recurrence risk may be small, and therefore the benefits of chemotherapy is even lower. There are many different chemotherapy drugs, and are usually a combination of 3-6 months after having surgery. Depending on the type of chemotherapy you receive, you may get medication every 3 or 4 weeks, and maybe go to the clinic to receive chemotherapy, because many drugs are given through a vein. The two most common treatments are AC (doxorubicin and cycolphosphamide) 3 months or CMF (cycolphosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil) for 6 months.
There are advantages and disadvantages of each of the different treatment that the medical oncologist will discuss with you. Based on your health, your values and desires, and the side effects you should avoid, you can work with your doctor to come up with the best treatment for your lifestyle.
Radiation therapy uses high energy rays (similar to X-rays) to kill cancer cells. Comes from an external source, and requires patients to come in 5 days a week for 6 weeks in a radiation therapy treatment center. The treatment takes only minutes and is painless. Radiation therapy is used in all patients who receive breast conservation therapy (BCT). It is also recommended for patients after a mastectomy, which had large tumors, lymph nodes, or close / positive margins after surgery. Radiation is important to reduce the risk of local recurrence and is often offered in more advanced cases to kill tumor cells that can live in the lymph nodes.
Hormone Therapy: When the pathologist examines the sample of the tumor, will, if the tumor expresses estrogen and progesterone receptors. Patients whose tumors express estrogen receptors are candidates for treatment with estrogen-blocking drug called Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen in pill form makes the cut in five years. This drug has been shown to significantly reduce the recurrence of the disease if the tumor expresses estrogen receptors. However, there are side effects commonly associated with tamoxifen, such as weight gain, hot flashes and vaginal discharge that patients may interfere. In addition, some very rare side effects such as blood clots, stroke or cancer of the uterus, which may frighten patients decide to implement it.
You must remember that your chances of having a relapse of cancer is usually higher than your chances of having a serious problem with tamoxifen, but the decision to undergo hormone treatment is a personal being, you have to do with your doctor. There are also newer drugs called aromatase inhibitors that act by slowing the body's supply of estrogen, these substances are reserved for patients who have already gone through menopause. Talk to your doctor about these new therapies.
Biological therapy: pathologist examines the tumor, the presence of HER-2/neu over expression. Compound called Herceptin (or Trastuzumab) is a substance that blocks this receptor and helps stop the growth of breast cancer.
Follow-up testing: Once a patient has been treated for breast cancer should be closely monitored for recurrence. Initially, you follow-up visits every 3-4 months. The more you are free of the disease, less frequently, you have to go for exams. After 5 years you could see your doctor once a year. You should have a mammogram of the treated and untreated breasts every year. Because having had breast cancer is a risk factor for another time, her mammogram every year is very important. If you are taking tamoxifen, it is important that you get a pelvic exam each year and report any unusual vaginal bleeding to your doctor.
Drink green tea: Generations of families in India and Asia is turning to tea a cure for what afflicts them. Green tea could benefit at least five vital organs such as heart disease. Previously, the green tea was thought to improve urinary and brain function, fight the disease Beriberi and relieve indigestion. In other words, green tea was held in a multi-purpose elixir, able to manage a variety of health problems. But this ancient remedy has now found its place in modern scientific literature, thanks to a new wave of studies the medicinal properties of green tea. Although studies in humans is unclear, prima facie evidence that the laboratory looks incredibly promising.
While green tea may be useful attacking everything from high cholesterol, depression, and perhaps receive more attention to its impact on cancer.
Antioxidants are important because they stop the enzyme activities that lead to cancer. In essence, DNA repair problems that were caused by oxidants or free radicals. Green tea has been regarded as a blessing for good health because it contains antioxidants called catechins. These substances were called inhibitors of cancer growth impressive. Here's how to do: Lab tests show that their struggle against oxidants before cell injuries, stop the growth of cancer cells and shrink tumors.
This article intends to give a better understanding of breast cancer. Use this information when meeting with your physician, making treatment decisions, and continue their search for information.
Stay healthy, because health is wealth!
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