AN OVERVIEW ON BREAST CANCER SURVIVAL RATES, SURGERY, AND THERAPIES

STAGES OF BREAST CANCER

After diagnosis of breast cancer it is important to determine how big the tumor is and how far the cancer has spread. This process is called staging. Doctor use Stages 0-4 to describe whether cancer is localized to the breast, has invaded nearby lymph nodes, or has spread to other organs, such as lungs.  

According to the American Cancer Society, 88% of women with stage 1 breast cancer live at list five years, compared with women who don’t have cancer- and many women in this group remain cancer-free for good. The more advanced the cancer, the lower this figure becomes. By Stage 4, the 5 year relative survival rate declines to 15%. But these rates can improve as more effective treatments are found.

Surgery of Breast Cancer
There are many types of breast cancer surgery, from taking out the area around the lump (lumpectomy or breast conservation surgery) to removing the entire breast (mastectomy). It’s best to discuss the pros and cons of each of these procedures with your doctor before deciding what’s right for you.

Radiation Therapy For Breast Cancer
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It may be used after breast cancer surgery to wipe out any cancer cells that remain near the tumor site. It can also be used along with chemotherapy for treatment of cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Side effects can include fatigue swelling or a sunburn-like feeling in the treated area.

Chemotherapy For Breast Cancer
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells anywhere in the body. The drugs are often given by IV, but are sometimes taken by mouth or shot. Chemotherapy may be  done after surgery to lower the odds cancer coming back. In women with advanced breast cancer, chamotherapy can help control the cancer's growth. Side effects may include hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and a higher risk of infection.

Hormone Therapy For Breast Cancer
Hormone therapy is an effective treatment for women with ER-positive or PR-positive breast cancers that grow more rapidly in response to the hormones estrogen or progesteron. Hormone therapy can block this effect. It is most often used after breast cancer surgery to help keep the cancer from coming back. It may also be used to reduce the chance of breast cancer developing in women who are at high risk.

Some Words About Mammograms And Breast Biopsy

Mammogram

A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray exam of the breasts to look for changes that are abnormal. This exam can detect tumors before they are large enough to feel. Beside a mammogram, your doctor may order additional imaging with breast ultrasound. It can help determine the presence of cysts, fluid-filled sacs that are not cancer. An MRI may be recommended along with a mammogram for routine screening in certain women who have a higher risk of breast cancer.

Breast Biopsy

Breast biopsy is the surgical removal of a small sample of breast tissue or cells to be tasted for breast cancer. It is the only sure way which help us to determine whether a lump is Cancer or not. Sometimes surgery is done to take part of or the entire lump for testing. The result will show whether the lump is cancer, and if so, what the type of the cancer is. 

Types of breast cancer

Now I’m going to discuss about various types of breast cancer. There are several types of Breast Cancer.

         

Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer is a fast-growing and rare type of cancer. It often cause no distinct lump.

Some signs of Inflammatory breast cancer

• Breast skin may become thick, red, and may look pitted as an orange peel.
• The area may feel warm or tender and have small bumps that look like a rash.

HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

In about 20% of patients, Breast cancer cells have too many receptors for a protein called HER2. It is known as HER2-positive. It tends to spread faster than other forms of breast cancer. There are special treatments for this form of cancer.

What if You Find A Lump???

If You Find A Lump

Firstly, do not Panic. 80% of breast lumps are not cancerous. They often turn out to be harmless cysts or tissue changes related to your menstrual cycle. But if you find something unusual in your breast then you should let your doctor know right away. If it’s not cancer, testing can give you peace of mind. And if it’s cancer, the earlier it’s found the better. The earlier breast cancer is found, It’s the easier to be treat.

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Breast Cancer: What you need to know???

Are breast self-exam necessary? What happens if you find a lump? If you’re diagnosed with breast with breast cancer, what will treatment be like? Here are the answers.

Breast cancer today

Breast cancer today is not what it was 20 years ago. Thanks to greater awareness survival rates are climbing for more early detection.  For roughly two lakh Americans who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, there are plenty of reasons to be hopeful.

Breast cancer symptoms

There are often no symptoms of breast cancer, but sometimes women may discover a breast cancer, but sometimes women may discover a breast problem on their own. Some symptoms to be aware of may include:

• A painless lump in the breast
• Changes in breast size or shape
• Swelling in the armpit
• Nipple changes or discharge

Breast pain can also be a symptom of cancer, but this is not common.

Breast self-exam

It was once widely recommended that women check their own breasts once a month. But studies suggest these breast self-exams play a very small role in finding cancer. The current thinking is that it’s more important to know your breasts and be aware of any changes, rather than checking them on a regular schedule. If you want to do your breast self-exams, be sure to go over the technique with your doctor.