Cancer. It is a dreaded word as it refers to a group of diseases described by the boisterous growth and spread of abnormal cells. Unchecked, uncontrolled growth can damage surrounding tissue and lead to serious health problems. Many forms of cancer are also life-threatening and can be challenging to treat, making the world a source of fear and concern for those who have been diagnosed with the disease or know someone who has been diagnosed.
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women, and it is a cause of anxiety for many people because it can be life-threatening if not detected and treated early. In addition, treatments for breast cancer, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, can be physically and emotionally challenging. The fear of the unexplored, the fear of losing one’s life or the fear of losing body parts, and the fear of the side effects of treatment can all contribute to the worry associated with a breast cancer diagnosis. However, early detection and advances in medical technology have improved the survival rates for many people with breast cancer. In addition, many resources are available to help those diagnosed with the disease manage their treatment and recovery.
How To detect Breast Cancer ?
Breast cancer is the result of the unchecked proliferation of breast cells. Therefore, it is helpful to understand how cancer might develop to have a better breast cancer experience.
- Mammogram:
An X-ray of the breast tissue that can detect anomalies and signs of cancer. - Clinical breast exam:
A physical examination of the breasts performed by a doctor or nurse to check for lumps or other changes. - Breast self-examination:
Regularly check your breasts for any changes, such as lumps or skin changes. - Ultrasound:
A painless examination that uses sound waves to create images of breast tissue. - Biopsy:
The reduction of a small sample of tissue for laboratory investigation to decide if cancer is present.
Cancer is caused by mutations, or abnormal changes, in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and maintaining their health. This leads to the development of cancer. The nucleus of each cell, which serves as the “control room” of that cell, is where the genes are located. In a healthy body, the cells gradually replace themselves through a systematic process called cell growth. During this process, healthy new cells replace old ones that have died. However, over time, mutations can “turn on” specific genes in a cell while simultaneously “turning off” others. As a result, this altered cell can continue dividing without being controlled or ordered, forming other identical cells and a tumour.
See a doctor if you notice any changes in your breasts or if you are due for a screening mammogram. Early detection is critical to effective treatment and a better prognosis.
steps to perform a breast self-examination
It’s advised to perform a breast self-examination once a month, about a week after your period has ended.
After that, you must see a doctor for further evaluation if you notice any changes.
- 1. Stand in front of a mirror
Look for any changes in size, shape, or appearance of your breasts, such as dimpling, redness, or scaling. - 2. Raise your arms
Look for any changes or asymmetry or if one breast appears lower than the other. - 3. Lie down
Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using the fingers of your left hand, gently feel your right breast in a circular motion, starting from the outside and moving toward the center. - 4. Repeat on the left breast
Lying down with a pillow under your left shoulder and your left arm behind your head. - 5. Feel
Touch for lumps or thickening in the breast tissue and any discharge from the nipples.
See a doctor if you notice any changes in your breasts or if you are due for a screening mammogram. Early detection is critical to effective treatment and a better prognosis.
Two types of tumours are benign (not harmful to health) and malignant (potentially dangerous).
Benign tumours are not considered cancerous since their cells appear close to normal. They develop slowly, do not penetrate the tissues nearby, and do not spread to other body areas. Malignant tumours are malignant. If they are not stopped, cancerous cells will eventually expand beyond the site of the original tumour and into other areas of the body.
The phrase “breast cancer” refers to a tumour that originated from cells in the breast and could spread to other body parts. In most cases, breast cancer starts in either the cells of the lobules, the milk-producing glands, or the ducts, the passageways that drain milk from the lobules to the nipple. Lobules are located in the upper part of the breast. The ducts are located in the lower part of the breast. The stromal tissues of the breast, which include both the fatty and the fibrous connective tissues, are one of the less prevalent locations where breast cancer can occur.
Anatomy of the Breasts
Three primary components comprise a breast: the lobules, the ducts, and the connective tissue. The lobules contain the glands that are responsible for milk production. Next, the milk is transported to the nipple via duct tubes. Finally, everything is surrounded by connective tissue, which comprises fibrous and fatty tissue and keeps everything together. Most breast cancers start in the ducts or lobules of the breast.
Over time, cancer cells have the potential to spread into the neighboring healthy breast tissue and make their way into the underarm lymph nodes, which are small organs that are responsible for filtering the body of any unwanted substances. The lymph nodes provide a passageway for cancer cells to go to other body parts if they can invade them. In breast cancer, the word “stage” describes how far the cancer cells have spread from the original tumour.
A genetic anomaly also referred to as an “error” in the genetic material, is always the root cause of breast cancer. On the other hand, only 5–10% of cancers are caused by abnormalities passed down from either your mother or your father. Instead, 85–90% of breast cancers are caused by genetic abnormalities resulting from natural aging and the “wear and tear” of life in general. These genetic abnormalities can occur in both men and women.
See a doctor if you notice any changes in your breasts or if you are due for a screening mammogram. Early detection is critical to effective treatment and a better prognosis.
Everyone can improve their overall health by taking specific actions, such as quitting smoking, reducing liquor consumption, keeping a healthy diet, consuming a balanced meal, exercising frequently, and maintaining a healthy weight. However, although these things might reduce your risk of developing breast cancer to some degree, they are not enough to eradicate it.
The onset of breast cancer is not anyone’s fault, not your own. Therefore, it is counterproductive to dwell on guilt or to convince oneself that one’s breast cancer was caused by one’s actions or the actions of others.
Breast cancer stages
The term “staging” is often used in the medical community to describe how far along or advanced cancer is in the breast tissue and maybe in other areas of your body.
Once breast cancer has been found, pathologists and other doctors will look at biopsy and imaging results to figure out how far along the disease is.
The procedure is challenging yet essential to finding your cancer type’s most productive course of action. The most popular staging method is called TNM (tumor, node, and metastasis; see more below), and it focuses on cancer’s tumor size, lymph node involvement, and metastatic dissemination. In addition, details about hormone receptors, the protein HER2, and cell growth rate are also considered.
Staging your tumour helps doctors decide how to treat you, including whether or not you need surgery, and gives them a better idea of how far cancer has spread.
The cancer stage is determined by diagnostic testing; therefore, staging may not be complete until all tests have been completed. The characteristics of breast cancer, such as its size and whether or not it possesses hormone receptors, determine its stage. You and your doctor can benefit from knowing cancer’s stage.
- Determine your prognosis or the likelihood that the condition will progress;
- Select the best course of treatment for you.
- Assess whether enrolling in specific clinical trials could be a good choice for you.
Always remember to consult a doctor if you detect any differences in your breasts or if you are due for a screening mammogram. Early detection is paramount to effective treatment and a more satisfactory prognosis.
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“Saral hu Saadharn nhi” (Simplicity is not Ordinary). This phrase encapsulates her entire existence. A woman of few words, a daydreamer, who is certain that there is life beyond stars. An HR professional who began her writing journey when corona knocked on our doors. A Content Writer, Screenplay Writer, and published Author. She is die-hard romantic and that reflects in her quotes, poems and short stories and currently working on her first book. She enjoys cooking, dancing, singing, travelling, and is a huge Bollywood enthusiast. She is a wife, a mother and a friend you can most certainly rely on.
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