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by: Mansi
Gupta
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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 with 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.
About the Author
Mansi Gupta writes about breast
cancer topics. |
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