Social changes in this century has brought increased number of working woman and hence delayed marriage, there has been a steep rise in the number of patients who suffered breast cancer in the last few decades. However, the raising of the modality of treatments and the success rates has been raising right after the incidence of the patients. Scientists have devised methods to detect the cancer cells in an early stage and it has been convincingly proved that early detection and treatment gives a better result than the later stage.
There are many myths about breast cancers. Some might think that any lump in breasts is breast cancer but to the contrary most of them are just fine. Similar way, there was a popular belief earlier that breast-feeding decreases one’s risk of the cancer but that has been now discovered to be untrue. Some say that the mammography makes the breast cancer widespread but that was not true. Similarly there are many other myths, which need to be clearly understand of the general mass for the proper detection and management of the tumor.
Breast cancers can be self-detected in an early stage if women know how to do the self-examine. In case of detection of any breast lump or of any slightest suspicion, mammography have to be done to rule out any tumor. Mammography is a recommended tool to diagnose breast cancers.
The incidence of breast cancer is increasing at the warning rate. It is the fact that every 2-3 minutes one American woman is diagnosed a breast cancer. Although the cause of breast cancer is not fully understood but it is hypothesized that there are various factors such as genetic and environmental surroundings. The environmental factors are increased age, obesity, smoking and having the first child at late age. The target group of breast cancers are single, non-tender and firm to hard mass with ill-defined margins. This can be later inspected by Mammography or Biopsy. After the cancer cell has been diagnosed staging is done, the doctor is able to find out the best treatment option as well as the prognosis.
The management of breast cancers depends basically on two things, treatment and councelling. Treatments can further be divided into three types which are medical, radiation, and surgery. Medical treatments consist of drugs such as tamoxifen, which is an anti estrogen, aromatase inhibitors such as aminoglutethimide and monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab. However, similar to other drugs they have their own side effects profile. It is known that 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. The radiation and surgery are the modalities and needed for the treatment to cure the body of the growth of cancer cells.
Counseling is one of the most important parts of the treatment during the surgery. The latest research is being done on both medicines and surgeries. Surgeons are in progress to find out the best way with minimal side effects. There are also researches about lesser side effects medicines. Breast cancer is only another cureble disease. There are several treatments available and persons can live a normal life after curing it.
Tags: cancer, working woman, breast, lump in breasts, breast lump, breast cancers, disco, cancers, treatments, researches, incidence of breast cancer, Medicine, recommended tool, Breast Cancer, tamoxifen