Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is possibly the
most frightening of all "women's diseases". Although other
diseases may claim higher mortality rates, or strike larger numbers
of women, breast cancer is unique in the heavy toll is often extracts
from even its 'survivors'.
Many diseases are simply over and done with once the patient has
recovered. Others may leave scars, but are otherwise 'invisible'
once they're gone. Breast cancer, on the other hand, not only claims
the lives of 20% of diagnosed patients, but leaves a great many
of the survivors visibly "deformed" after single or double
mastectomies. It's no wonder that many women are more afraid of
breast cancer than almost any other diagnosis.
Breast cancer affects roughly 10% of women in the Western world
at some point in their lives. While there are a number of apparent
risk factors contributing to who does and does not develop breast
cancer, relatively few of these factors are within reasonable control
of the patient, so the single most effective thing you can do to
improve your odds of survival is early detection and breast
cancer treatment. Most US experts agree that regular mammograms
after the age of 40 (every two to three years), and annual mammograms
after 50 are an important preventative step. In the UK, mammograms
every three years after the age of 50 are recommended. Monthy self-exams
and a screening at each annual exam are recommended for younger
women (over the age of 25-30).
For women in higher risk groups, earlier or more frequent screenings
may be recommended, so talk to your doctor if you have one or more
of the following known risk factors:
- Family history of breast cancer - There are two genes known
to greatly increase breast cancer risk: BRCA1 and BRCA2. These
genes are thought to be related to familial breast cancer development.
Women with family history should start regular screening 10 years
earlier than other women.
- Having no children - Nobody recommends having children just
to lower your breast cancer risk, but childless women may want
to schedule earlier or more frequent early-detection check-ups.
- Delaying first childbirth - Women who choose to wait until their
30s or later to have children may increase their risk of breast
cancer.
- Not breastfeeding - Breast feeding is not only healthier for
your baby, but seems to decrease cancer risks in the mother as
well!
- Early menstruation - Girls who started their period at a young
age (before their teen years) may have a higher risk. Consider
teaching your teen daughters about self-exams before they leave
home.
- Late menopause - If you haven't begun menopause by your mid-
to late-forties, you may want to begin your regular mammograms
a few years early!
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) - While HRT for post-menopausal
women reduces risk of osteoporosis, it increases risk of breast
cancer. Discuss your relative risk for each of these diseases
with your physician before deciding whether HRT is right for you.
- Regular alcohol consumption - Some studies show women who drink
two drinks or more daily may have 37% increased chance of developing
breast cancer. You may wish to consider limiting your alcohol
intake, especially if you already have one or more other risk
factors working against you.
- Estrogen-Progesterone combination medications - Whether you're
taking estrogen-progesterone combined birth control, or a combined
hormone menopausal therapy, these dual-hormone medications appear
to increase breast cancer risk enough for an International Agency
for Research on Cancer working group to label them "carcinogenic
to humans."
Cancer risk increases with age, to the point where a woman who
lives to the age of 90 has a 12.5% risk of breast cancer, compared
to the 10% risk of the general female population. However, cancers
found in younger patients are often correspondingly more aggressive,
so young women who notice any of the following warning symptoms
should be sure to schedule a screening with their doctor:
- Inflammation, unusual tenderness or heat in one breast - Inflammatory
breast cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of the disease,
and often does not have a telltale 'lump' to find in a self-exam.
- Redness, itching, bruising or 'orange peel' texture to an area
of skin on one breast - If any of these signs appears for no known
reason, and lasts more than a few days, a doctor's appointment
should definitely be scheduled.
- Sudden or unusual 'retraction' of a nipple, or unusual discharge
- It is often convenient to examine your nipples while taking
a shower or getting ready for bed.
- Any noticeable change in the shape or size of one breast - While
it is normal for women's breasts to be somewhat 'lopsided' or
uneven in size and shape, a sudden change in size or shape in
only one breast is cause for concern.
If a lump or other suspicious symptoms are found through a physical
exam or mammogram, your doctor will schedule a biopsy, so your breast
tissue can be screened for cancerous cells. If the biopsy is positive,
a number of other screenings will be done to determine the stage
of the cancer. In a Stage 1 cancer, the patient can often be treated
with a simple lumpectomy and follow-up radiation therapy, but the
survival rate drops quickly as the cancer progresses up to Stage
4. Early detection and treatment cannot be stressed enough.
Many women live long, healthy lives after lumpectomy or mastectomy
surgeries, so don't lose hope even if a biopsy comes back positive.
One of the best things any cancer patient or survivor can do for
their own peace of mind is to seek counseling or join a breast cancer
support group. Dealing with cancer and the probable surgeries that
will come along with it is difficult for everyone, and having people
to talk to who genuinely understands the issues involved is a great
help. Family counseling to help children and loved ones understand
the patient's situation better can also be invaluable in minimising
unnecessary conflict in the home during treatment and recovery.
Your doctor should be able to recommend therapists and support groups
in your area.
Breast Cancer Links
NHS
Breast Cancer Screening Programme
Breakthrough
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