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What is Breast Cancer and how common is it?:Breast cancer is a malignancy of the breast, usually involving the tissues involved in milk production. A small amount of breast cancers tend to run in families. These cancers can be caused by mutations in particular genes, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2. In some cases, genetic syndromes involving other cancers also include an increased risk of breast cancer. Breast cancer is hard to catch in it's earliest stages since it usually causes no pain and there are no symptoms to go off of. As breast cancer moves forward the warning signs and symptoms include lump(s) or thickening in or near the breast; a change in the size or shape of the breast; nipple discharge, tenderness, or retraction (turning inward); and skin irritation, dimpling, or scaliness. It's important to note that these symptoms don't always mean you have the onset of breast cancer. There is no need to panic, but definitely make an appointment with your doctor and start investigating what might be causing these symptoms. Breast cancers caused by inherited gene mutations tend to occur earlier in life than noninherited cases and are more likely to involve both breasts. Every year, over 200,000 cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed in women in the United States. Of those cases, 5 to 10 % are hereditary. I have even heard of extreme cases where young women who have a genetic history of breast cancer in their families getting a double mastectomy to avoid the whole thing.
Breast Cancer Awareness:In the last decade there have been many local and national events springing up to help get the awareness of breast cancer out to all men and women. There are breast cancer walks, ribbons you can buy, foundations you can join, bracelets you can wear, and much more. The word has spread that breast cancer "kills" if it is not diagnosed early enough. The odds that your mother or sister develops some form of breast cancer is 1 in 7. That in itself is a startling statistic and is evidence enough that mammograms and self examinations need to be done on a regular basis to help stop this deadly killer. The "Race for the Cure" Susan G Komen sponsored breast cancer walk comes through Portland each year and we participate. You can find out more at Komen.org. You are never to young to get a second opinion if you feel a lump or bump in one of your breasts. Get to a doctor and have it checked out immediately.Breast Cancer Symptons/Risk Factors:The earlier breast cancer is found and diagnosed, the better your chances of beating it. Breast self-exams should be part of your monthly health care routine. Women over 40 or those at a high risk for breast cancer need to get an annual mammogram and physical exam by a doctor. Diagnosis can take weeks and involve many different kinds of tests, so you need to be patient. Since women continue to get breast cancer in records of numbers, many people are calling on the research institutes to come up with a test that would give women a heads up that breast cancer may be in the future for them and get treatments early. Why wait until your 40's to get a mammogram done each year? Perhaps mammograms should be offered by insurance policies in the 30's and more often than once a year. Changes can happen fast and even though one mammogram was negative, 6 months later you could have a cancerous growth show up. When it comes to race, caucasian women get breast cancer more often than others, but African American women have a higher rate of death associated with breast cancer partially because their tumors are more aggressive in nature and when found have already done too much damage to the system. Become educated on symptoms and see if you fall into the risk factor categories that could increase the likelihood of you having breast cancer at some point in your lifetime.
Breast Cancer Treatment:Most women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer will undergo some form of treatment for the disease. The most favorable course of treatment will depend on a number of factors, including the size and location of the breast tumor, the stage of the cancer, and results of other laboratory tests. The majority of women with breast cancer will undergo surgery as part of their cancer treatment. The standard types of breast surgery include: lumpectomy and mastectomy. Beyond surgery, some women will receive additional treatment to stop cancer growth, spread, or recurrence. These include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and drug treatments. There are times when a women may be treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or drugs without having breast surgery. Your doctor and specialists will go over the treatment options and help you decide what is best for your situation.
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