by Vinodh Pushparaj
The cancer is a term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide
uncontrollably invading near by tissue and spreading to other parts of the body
via blood stream or lymphatic system.
Similarly, in breast cancer, a single cell begins to divide and grow
abnormally. This is the most common kind of cancer in women. Besides being
women, age is the other important factor for developing breast cancer. The
breast is made up of lobes and ducts. Each breast has 15 to 20 sections called
lobes, which have many smaller sections called lobules. Lobules end in dozens of
tiny bulbs that can produce milk. The lobes, lobules, and bulbs are linked by
thin tubes called ducts.
The breast cancer is classified into:
-Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
-Lobular carcinoma in situ
(LCIS)
-Inflammatory breast cancer
-Recurrent breast cancer
The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in
the cells of the ducts. Cancer that begins in the lobes or lobules is called
lobular carcinoma and is more often found in both breasts than are other types
of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is an uncommon type of breast
cancer in which the breast is warm, red, and swollen. Recurrent breast cancer
that has come back after it has been treated. Early detection through regular
breast self-exams and a regular program of mammogram and physical exams show
excellent results in curing it. Breast self exam is the process developed by the
American cancer society for women to examine the breasts monthly. This process
can reveal breast problem. Any swelling or unusual lumps or hardness in the
breast is the indication of breast disease and a reason to rush to your
doctor.
There are various factors, which increases the chance of getting disease as a
breast cancer. Like:
1) Older age
2) A mother or sister with breast cancer.
3) Drinking
alcoholic beverages.
4) Being white.
5) Treatment with radiation therapy
to the breast/chest.
Women who have an altered gene related to breast cancer and who have had
breast cancer in one breast have an increased risk of developing breast cancer
in the other breast. These women also have an increased risk of developing
ovarian cancer, and may have an increased risk of developing other cancers.
Tests related to detect and diagnose breast cancer are:
1) Mammogram - In which X ray is done of the breast.
2) Biopsy - The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a
microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. If a lump in the
breast is found, the doctor may need to cut out a small piece of the lump.
3) Estrogen and progesterone receptor test: A test to measure the amount of
estrogen and progesterone (hormones) receptors in cancer tissue. If cancer is
found in the breast, tissue from the tumor is examined in the laboratory to find
out whether estrogen and progesterone could affect the way cancer grows. The
test results show whether hormone therapy may stop the cancer from growing.
There are different 4 types of treatment option for breast cancer
patients:
1) Surgery- Most patients with breast cancer have surgery to remove the
cancer from the breast.
2) Radiation therapy - Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses
high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells.
3) Chemotherapy -Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop
the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells
from dividing.
4) Hormone therapy - Hormone therapy is a cancer treatment that removes
hormones or blocks their action and stops cancer cells from growing. Hormones
are substances produced by glands in the body and circulated in the
bloodstream.
For latest information about Breast Cancer
please visit medicineworld.org. You can get more information through
dedicated breast cancer message
board, breast cancer support forum at bcancer.com
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