Breast cancer is a type of cancer that begins by targeting the breast tissue. The cancer is far more common in women than men but can appear in both sexes. According to the National Cancer Institute, there are over 194,280 new cases of breast cancer each year and out of that, 1,910 of those are male. The most important parts of overcoming the disease are early detection and proper diagnosis.This is followed by receiving the proper medical treatment in order to eliminate the tumor and cancer cells.
Detection
According to the National Cancer Institute, changes in the breast are quite common.
Early detection starts off at home with a breast self-exam. The exam is a way that someone can physically feel for any changes or abnormalities in the breast, chest, arm and lymph node area. Any type of bump, lump, dip or dimple should be noted and then evaluated by a physician. A physician will then likely perform diagnostic testing that may include an X-ray, Mammogram, PET scan, CAT scan or MRI. He may also choose to have the suspicious tissue biopsied to be further evaluated to diagnose or rule out cancer.
Treatment
The Cancerfacts.com website states breast conserving surgery or BCS is an effective form of treatment for those in the early stages of breast cancer.
Once a breast cancer diagnosis is made, the physician will refer the patient over to a qualified oncologist who specializes in cancer treatment. Treatment may involve just one procedure such as localized treatment or a myriad of treatments referred to as systemic. Cancer in the early stages may not involve any type of major surgery or medicinal treatment. If the cancer is aggressive in nature, treatment options may include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, mastectomy, lymph node surgery or other surgeries to remove parts of the breast or breast tissue.
Prognosis
Mybreastcancernetwork.com states that 88 percent of those diagnosed with breast cancer will survive for ten years.
Once a diagnosis has been made and an evaluation performed to see how the cancer is responding to treatment, a prognosis is generally established. Most are determined off of a number of factors starting with the stage of the cancer. Cancer stages range from 1 to 4 with 4 being the most severe. This is determined by the size and location of the primary tumor, hormone receptor status, if it has metastasized, the rate of its cell division and genetic factors. Most cancers are based on five-year survival rates---this is a statistic that measures if the patient will likely live past five years from the initial diagnosis. Stage 1 has a 100 percent chance, stage 2---86 percent, stage 3---57 percent and stage 4 only a 20 percent chance of living past five years from diagnosis.
Coping
Online support groups like the one at nationalbreastcancer.org can help provide education and emotional support to those who are physically unable to get out and be around people during their illness.
Coping with breast cancer can be difficult. The fear of the unknown combined with treatments and drugs can be overwhelming for some people. The best way to cope is to find community support groups, rely on friends and family and ask your oncologist questions every step of the way about your treatment.
Prevention
The American Cancer Society suggests that all women over 40 should have a mammogram once a year.
The best way to prevent long-term complications of breast cancer is to initially know the warning signs of breast cancer such as changes in the appearance of the breast, pain or discharge in the breast, swollen lymph nodes, fever and a drastic weight loss. Having a close blood related family member such as a grandmother or aunt that has been diagnosed with breast cancer should be discussed with your primary physician. Having a mammogram and physical as directed by your physician will also aid in prevention.
