Breast cancer


Breast cancer is a malignant tumor which causes uncontrolled growth of breast cells commonly. occuring at the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk.It can occur in both male and female but generally found in females. It is the commonest cancer in women and a second leading cause of cancer death in women.


Showing latest available data by WHO(World Health Organization)

Weighted average: 22.8 per 100,000 females

types of breast cancer:

- ductal

- lobular


Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas.


Early detection through regular breast self-exams and a regular program of mammography and physical exams shows excellent results in combatting it. Research shows that genetic and/or hormonal factors are the primary risk factors for breast cancer.


In some cases, the goal of radiation treatment is the complete destruction of an entire tumor. In some other cases. the aim is to relieve symptoms and shrink a tumor . In either case, doctors plan treatment to spare as much healthy tissue as possible.


signs and symptoms of breast cancer

  • The first sign/symptom of breast cancer is typically a feel of a lump that is different from the other of the breast tissue that has been growing from years.More than 80% of breast cancer cases are detected through this.


  • Changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling, nipple inversion


  • Spontaneous single-nipple discharge are some other indications


  • Pain is another way of determining presence of breast cancers


  • Inflammatory breast cancer occurs when cancerous cell invade dermal lymphatics. Its symptoms includes pain, swelling, warmth and redness throughout the breast, as well as an orange-peel texture to the skin referred to as peau d'orange.


  • Another reported symptom of breast cancer is Pagets Disease of Breast.In this symptom skin changes such as redness and mild flaking of the nipple skin. As Paget's advances, symptoms may include tingling, itching, increased sensitivity, burning, and pain. There may also be discharge from the nipple


  • Unexplained weight loss


  • Bone or joint pains can sometimes be due to metastatic breast cancer.


    • The appearance of a new symptom should be dealed seriously by both patients and their doctors, because there are possibilities of an underlying breast cancer at almost any age.


    Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer


    Hands-on Screening

    Clinical Breast Exam (CBE): Women aged between 20 and 30 years are required to go forClinical Breast Exam.

     

    Mammograms: A mammogram is the set standard for breast cancer screening and early detection.It can help to detect 85 to 90 percent of all breast cancers, even before any sign or symptom.


    Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): It complements mamograms test but it reveals different details of your breast health.Unlike mamogram MRI are more expensive and not widely available but  MRIs don’t use compression, like mammograms.


    Elastography - Staying in Touch With Breast Cancer Detection and Diagnosis:

     Elastography is a new concept still investigational, technology for imaging breast tissue. It may be better than mammography, ultrasound, and MRI at distinguishing between benign and cancerous growths. Elastograms can find a cancerous lump without a biopsy.


    Getting Inside the Problem- Pathology Tests

    If a breast lump is suspicious, a sample of tissue or fluid must be taken and tested by a pathologist.


    Treatment:


    -Surgery

    -Chemotherapy

    -Radiation Therapy

    -Hormonal therapy

    -Targeted therapy
    -complementry and holistic therapy

    -Drugs for treatment and risk reduction.

    -clinical trials