WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
The first sign of breast cancer
is usually a lump or a spot seen on a mammogram. Like all
cancers, the disease is the result of unrestrained
multiplication of cells. Normal cells divide in a planned way,
creating more cells only when needed. Cancerous cells grow and
divide without control or order, often making excess tissue
that becomes a tumor. Cancer cells may grow into nearby healthy
tissue, or they may break away from the tumor and travel
through the blood stream or lymphatic system to other parts of
the body. For this reason, breast cancer often spreads into the
lymph nodes in the armpit, chest, and collarbone
area.
Causes
There is no known cause, but certain factors increase the
odds of the disease. A woman is more susceptible
if:
-
She is more than 45 years old
and has not gone through menopause.
-
She did not become pregnant
before age 30.
-
Her mother, sister, or
daughter had breast cancer, especially before menopause and
especially in both breasts.
Signs/Symptoms
There are usually no symptoms during the early stages of
breast cancer; only a mammogram can detect it. Later, however,
you may notice:
-
Swelling or a lump in the
breast
-
An achy or uncomfortable
breast
-
One breast that looks
different from the other
-
Breast skin that is dimpled
or pitted like an orange peel
-
A nipple that looks as though
it had been pushed in
-
Bleeding from the
nipple
In advanced breast cancer you may also
experience:
-
Swollen lymph nodes under
your arm
-
Bone or back pain
-
Difficulty breathing
If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, you
may have other problems as well.
Care
To find out what stage the cancer is in, your doctor will
measure the lump, check to see if the cancer has spread, and
perform tests such as another mammogram, a biopsy, and body
scans. The results of the tests will help you and your doctor
decide on a treatment plan.
There are many different ways to treat
cancer. Often doctors use two or more types of treatment
together. Treatments may be given in a clinic, doctor's office,
or hospital. The major options include:
-
Chemotherapy: Often called "chemo," this type of
therapy uses drugs to kill new tumor cells or shrink lymph
nodes that contain cancer cells. Once the tumor is smaller,
you may have surgery to remove the rest of the cancer. Some
forms of cancer can be completely cured with drugs alone.
Many different chemo medicines are
available. They may be taken as a pill, as a shot, or in an
IV. You will probably need frequent blood tests to
determine how your body is doing and how much chemo you
need. The drugs can produce many side effects, and may
leave you susceptible to infection for a while.
-
Hormone Therapy: Natural hormones such as estrogen
sometimes promote the growth of cancer cells. Special drugs
are available to block the estrogen and slow the cancerous
growth. In most cases, you can take this medicine by mouth.
In some cases, it may also be necessary to surgically
remove sources of estrogen such as the ovaries or adrenal
glands.
-
Radiation: X-rays or gamma rays can kill cancer and
help prevent it from spreading. They can also be effective
in reducing pain, controlling bleeding, and shrinking
cancerous tumors. Doctors also use this type of therapy on
cancerous lymph nodes. Radiation and chemotherapy are often
used together. Radiation is also used after surgery to kill
any cancer cells that may have been missed.
-
Bone Marrow Transplant: In this form of therapy,
diseased or damaged bone marrow is replaced with healthy
marrow, usually from a donor. (Your own marrow may be used
if it can be collected while your cancer is in remission.)
The transplant is given in the hospital through an IV.
Although the treatment can cure cancer, it may lead to
other very serious health problems, including severe
infections. You may have to stay in the hospital for a
month after the procedure.
-
Surgery: Depending on the stage of your breast
cancer, you may need surgery to remove the lump, a part of
the breast, or the entire breast. You may also need to have
some lymph nodes taken out to help prevent the cancer from
spreading to other parts of your body.
Risks
Left untreated, cancer eventually will spread. Almost all
forms of cancer therapy have unpleasant side effects, and may
fail to halt the spread. However, treatment---especially when
performed early enough---usually improves your
chances.
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