Breast Cancer Information

Breast Cancer for Beginners


Introduction
Because of the social changes, which has brought increased number of workingwoman and hence delayed childbearing, there has been a steep rise in the number of breast cancer patients in the last few decades. But as the incidence of the patients has risen so has raised the modality of treatments and the success rates. Also scientists have devised methods by which the cancer can be detected in an early stage and it has been convincingly proved that early detection and treatment bears a better prognosis than the later stage.

Myths
There are many myths attached to breast cancer. Some think that any lump in breast is a breast cancer but to the contrary most of them are benign. Similarly it was a popular belief earlier that breast-feeding decreases one's risk of the cancer but that has been now found to be untrue. Some say that mammography makes the breast cancer widespread but it's not true. Similarly there are many other myths, which need to be cleared in mind of the general mass for the proper detection and management of the tumor.

Early detection
Breast cancer can be detected in an early stage if women are taught to self-examine their breast. In case of detection of any breast lump or of any slightest suspicion, mammography should be done to rule out any tumor. Mammography is a good tool to diagnose this type of cancer.

Statistics
The incidence of breast cancer is increasing at an alarming rate. It is said that every 2-3 minutes one American woman is diagnosed a breast cancer.

Cause
Although the cause is not fully understood but it is hypothesized that there are various factors such as genetic and environmental. The environmental factors are increased age, obesity, smoking and having the first child at late age.

Diagnosis
The findings that denote a cancer are single, non-tender and firm to hard mass with ill-defined margins. This can be later confirmed by mammography and biopsy. After the cancer has been diagnosed staging is done to find out the best treatment option as well as the prognosis.

Management
The management of breast cancer rests basically on two things. The first is the treatment and second is the counseling. The treatment can further be divided into three: medical, radiation, and surgery. The medical treatment consists of drugs such as tamoxifen, which is an anti estrogen, aromatase inhibitors such as aminoglutethimide and monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab. But similar to other drugs they have their own side effects profile. The 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. Generally the radiation and surgery are the modalities, which are needed for the treatment to ward off the body of the cancerous growth.

Counseling
This is one of the most important parts of the treatment both before and after the surgery. The patients are to be taught that this is only another disease, which has treatment available, and persons can lead a normal life after that.

Latest research
Latest research is being done on both the surgery and the medicine. For the surgery, surgeons are trying to find out the best way of surgery so that post surgery the patients have minimal disabilities. Similar medicines with lesser side effects are being researched.

Suresh gupta writes about breast cancer topics.


MORE RESOURCES:

Does Hormone Treatment Predispose Patients To Breast Cancer?
Science Daily (press release) - 3 hours ago
21, 2008) — Breast cancer, the leading cause of death among women in France, is the most commonly occurring cancer in women. Sporadic breast cancer, which ...


TheMedGuru

Psychological Intervention May Improve Survival in Breast Cancer
Cancer Consultants, ID - 1 hour ago
Researchers at Ohio State University have reported that breast cancer patients who receive psychological intervention during treatment experience improved ...
Black women more likely to have ER/PR-negative breast cancer HemOncToday
First Lady Laura Bush's Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness ... EurekAlert (press release)
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Bone Loss in Breast Cancer Therapy May Involve More Than Drugs
MedPage Today, NJ - 1 hour ago
21 -- When assessing bone loss in postmenopausal breast cancer patients, clinicians should look beyond the effects of aromatase inhibitors and other ...
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Study Identifies Causes of Bone Loss in Breast Cancer Survivors
DG News - 21 hours ago
Among 64 breast cancer patients referred to a bone health clinic, 78% had at least 1other cause of bone loss, including vitamin D deficiency, ...
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26.2 With Donna Partners with MapMyRun.Com
MarketWatch - 18 hours ago
We are thrilled to partner with MapMyRun.com to make our cause available to everyone who wants to help end breast cancer." Virtual marathon and half ...


Good News: Breast Cancer Survivor Honored, Needs Your Vote
Local10.com, FL - 1 hour ago
During a recent visit to the Local Ten news studios, breast cancer survivor Andrea Ivory summed up what she's accomplished in a few years with one word. ...


ImClone Systems initiates enrollment for Phase II breast cancer trial
Trading Markets (press release), CA - Nov 20, 2008
... randomized Phase II clinical trial of IMC-A12 in patients with previously treated HER2-expressing locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. ...
ImClone gets drug candidate manufacturing approval Forbes
ImClone Systems' State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility Receives ... MarketWatch
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Silent auction benefits Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
Wicked Local Franklin, MA - 20 hours ago
7, 3 to 6 pm, at Knights of Columbus Hall, 501 West Central St., to benefit the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Pavement Pounders, a local team of people who ...


Breastfeeding reduces risk of breast cancer
Glasgow Daily Times, KY - 2 hours ago
Bowling Green Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Send resume to 807 Campbell Ln. Bowling Green, KY 42104 or email to bgcpc@...>MORE 5 nights a week. ...


Cougar Biotechnology initiates enrollment in Phase I/II breast ...
Trading Markets (press release), CA - 8 hours ago
We look forward to future advancement of the clinical development of CB7630 in breast cancer." Republication or redistribution, including by framing or ...

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