Have you ever heard about the most beloved bollywood beauty “Mumtaz”? Yes, she is a breast cancer survivor who never gave up her battle. She never surrendered herself to the painful chemo sessions and surgeries. She fought back, stood straight, and is now the inspiration for the breast cancer victims.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in females worldwide. It accounts for 16% of all female cancers and 22.9% of invasive cancer types in females. Breast cancers are more common in developed nations than in developing nations.
Breast cancer usually affects the inner lining of milk ducts. It is malignant (cancerous). A breast cancer that started off in the lobules is called lobular carcinoma, and that which is developed near the ducts is called ductal carcinoma. Lobular carcinoma accounts for 8% of all the presented breast cancer cases, while ductal carcinoma is about 85 to 95% of all the cases.
Less common types of invasive breast cancer:
In early stages, the breast cancer may be asymptomatic, so pain and discomfort are not present. The following symptoms indicate the presence of breast cancer,
Although the causes of breast cancer are not so clear, the major risk factors may include:
Women are diagnosed with breast cancer after a normal screening test or by the signs and symptoms. If you detect any abnormalities in your breast, you must no sooner contact your doctor; he/she will carry out the required diagnosis and tests. Below are the diagnostic tests and techniques for diagnosing the breast cancer
Your doctor would check the breasts for the presence of any lumps and other abnormalities, such as inverted nipples, discharge from the nipples, change in the size and shape. You will be asked to sit and stand in different positions which are routine while performing a breast examination.
MammogramA mammogram is commonly used for breast cancer screening. Its purpose is to find the breast cancer in its early stages, which helps in the easy and successful treatment.
A biopsy is performed as a diagnostic test for confirming the breast cancer; it also helps your doctor to understand if cancer has spread to the other parts of the body. It is also helpful in determining the treatment options.
If you are diagnosed with a breast cancer, many other tests are performed during and after the treatment to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment. Monitoring tests are also helpful in checking the recurrence of the symptoms.
Based on the type and stage of cancer, your doctor would choose the best possible treatment option for you; it may include a local therapy or systemic therapy.
Local therapyThis treatment approach helps in the removal of the cancerous area, such as the breast, chest wall, and the lymph nodes near the armpit. It also prevents the recurrence of cancer. Local therapy includes radiation therapy and surgery to the breast area.
Systemic therapy or adjuvant therapySystemic therapy helps to get rid of the cells that have already spread to different areas of the body. It means drug therapy, which helps to travel throughout the body to kill the cancer cells. This therapy includes chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and targeted therapy. As systemic therapy is also to the breast surgery, it is called as an adjuvant therapy.