Breast Cancer Facts

Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a kind of tumor that develops in breast cells. This is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in breast. This starts normally with a small lump in the breast than it grows slowly or rapidly. There is always a danger of spreading these cells in other parts of the body as well if not diagnose on time. All the lumps in the breast is cancer is not true, in fact most of the lumps are not, however every lump should be examined by a healthcare professional.

There are two types of tumors in breast.
A) Malignant: These are the harmful tumors which spreads and damage other parts of the body
B) Benign: These tumors do not spread.

How it occurs?
The exact causes of breast cancer have yet to be identified by the medical experts, but it is assumed that the risk increases gradually with age and for certain people there may be a hereditary/genetic factor.
As per the stats 1 in 10 women suffers from breast cancer at some point in their lives.
Also early puberty/late menopause are considered as the factors which lead to the same. Not having children or having a first child very late (after 30 yrs) may also cause this abnormal growth of
The risk can actually be lower if you have a short menstrual life, large family or first child before age 18 years.

Is it serious?
Breast cancer is can be life-threatening. However;
1) Early detection of breast cancer is very necessary as it increases the chances of successful treatment.
2) For Early detection of cancer, community screening programs and mammograms are integral.
3) Self-examination is very important and women should check their breasts regularly. If there are any changes in size or shape, lumps, tenderness or nipple discharge then a healthcare professional should be immediately consulted.
Treatments of Breast Cancer
In general breast cancer treatment involves surgery followed by a combination of chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiation, depending from patient to patient and the stages of the cancer and whether recurrence has occurred.
a) Surgery: Here removal of the lump (called a lumpectomy) is the preferred technique, also the removal of lymph nodes in the armpit undertaken. Removal of the breast (known as mastectomy) is only performed if badly required.
b) Chemotherapy: In this technique medicines are used to interfere with cancer cell growth and division to reduce the size of tumors or kill them.
c) Hormonal therapy: Hormones are chemicals which are released by different parts of the body, transmitted by the blood to the various parts of the body to carry out various functions of the body. Estrogen is a sex hormone that promotes the growth of some breast cancers. Hormonal treatments, such as anti-estrogens, aromatase inhibitors (special class of drugs) or LHRH analogues (gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue), are introduced to block the effects of estrogen and/or its production, which further slows the growth of cancer cells.
d) Radiation therapy: X-rays or other high-energy rays are applied to the tumor and effected areas to destroy abnormal cells.
All the best