Archive for category Breast Cancer
Information About Breast Cancer Treatment
Posted by admin in Breast Cancer on December 17, 2011
Breast Cancer is the cancer that develops in the breast tissues mostly in the inner lining of milk ducts or in the lobules which supply milk to the ducts. Depending on the place of origination, they are known as ductal carcinoma, if originated in the milk ducts or lobular carcinoma when originated in the lobules. Breast cancers are also classified as hormone-positive or a hormone-negative cancer which is decided based on their sensitivity to hormones like progesterone and estrogen.
The options available for breast cancer treatment depend on the type of breast cancer and the staging results. Staging is the process in which the disease spread and its progressive extend is determined. Though it is the most common non-skin type of cancer in women and is considered one of the fatal types of cancer, there are many advanced breast cancer treatment options which can help cure this disease if detected early.
Breast Cancer Treatment Plan
Once the cancer has been diagnosed, the doctors evaluate the pathology report and form a plan that would suit the type of cancer and the stage to which the disease has progressed. Treatment modes aim at reducing the spread of the disease, destruction of the diseased cells and reduction of chances for re-occurrence in future. The doctors would choose a single or a set of treatment options based on the patient’s medical conditions which they may evaluate periodically.
Types of Breast cancer treatment methods
The treatments available are in general classified as standard methods and clinical trial methods. Standard methods are those that are currently practised for the cure of breast cancer while clinical trials are those that are currently being tested for more efficient results. The standard methods of breast cancer treatment include surgery, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiation treatments and targeted therapy.
Surgical method of Breast Cancer Treatment
Surgery is one potential option for removing the cancerous cells from the body. The entire breast or a partial portion of the breast is removed depending on the level of spread and the stage to which the disease has progressed. Based on the level of operation that is required to remove the cancerous cells, the surgeries are differentiated into three types as below. Read the rest of this entry »
Warning Signs of Breast Cancer You Should Be Aware Of
Posted by admin in Breast Cancer on November 22, 2011
Breast cancer can be a very dangerous disease as the worst outcome might lead to the end of your life. However, if you receive treatment for it at an early stage, you definitely have a higher chance of surviving as well as receiving a complete cure to it too.
Contracting breast cancer does not necessary means “the end”. If you look at it at a different angle, it is “the beginning” of you learning how to fight for your life and finding hope.
Since breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancers being contracted by people in the world, it is better to have a deeper understand of such cancer and the its warning signs.
What are the warning signs of breast cancer?
- Size or shape change of the breast.
- A lump or thickening in the breast. (Possible areas include area surrounding the breast or the underarm.)
- Breast feels unusually warm to the touch.
- Retraction of nipple. (Nipple turned inwards or sunken into the breast.)
- Nipple’s shape becomes irregular.
- Rash on the nipple or areola.
- Discharge from the nipple. (Either bloody or fluid.)
- Dimpling of the skin on breast. (The skin looks like the skin of an orange.)
- Breast looks red, scaly or swollen.
- Breast feeling pain.
If any of the symptoms occurred to you and you feel uneasy about it, please consult a doctor as soon as possible. Remember that finding out that you have cancer at an earlier stage is much better than finding it out at a more advanced stage.
Even if you had been diagnosed by the doctor later that this is not cancer, it will be much better than worrying about it for days before finally deciding to tell someone about it. Read the rest of this entry »
Symptoms That Might Indicate Breast Cancer
Posted by admin in Breast Cancer on October 28, 2011
Although breast cancer refers to cancerous tumors that develop in the breast tissue, it also has different types. Some of them are common while others are rare.
The most common type of the cancer is invasive duct carcinoma accounting for 80% of the invasive cancers of the breast. 10% of the invasive cancers of the breast are invasive lobular carcinoma. Invasive duct carcinoma starts from the ducts in the breast while invasive lobular carcinoma originates from the glands that are responsible for milk production. Other types of cancer of the breast include mucinous carcinoma, Adenoid cystic carcinoma, inflammatory breast cancer and medullary carcinoma. Treatment of the cancer will depend on the type of cancer one has been diagnosed with. Different types of cancer of the breast have different rates of spreading to other organs.
Cancer of the breast forms a lump in the breast. By the time the lump is big enough to be felt during a physical examination, the cancer might have already advanced. It is therefore important for one to go for regular mammograms especially those above the age of 50. It also helps because during the initial stages of the disease, the cancer does not produce any symptoms. Some may not have any signs or symptoms while in others, symptoms of the same cancer might be different.
Other symptoms of breast cancer in women include;
Apart from the traditional symptom which is the formation of a lump on the breast or under the arm, it can also be accompanied by a rash depending on the type of cancer.
The cancer can also cause changes in the size, texture, temperature, shape and color of the breast and/or nipples
Discharge from the nipple. This can be clear or bloody.
Overturning of the nipple. The nipple will also feel itchy and have a burning sensation
Pain in the nipples and breast area
During the final stage of breast cancer, it has already spread to other organs of the body such as the liver, lungs and brain. The symptoms will depend on the organ affected. Some of them include. Read the rest of this entry »