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Breast Cancer - Risk Factor and Treatment
Breast cancer remains the most common form of cancer in women. It is the leading cause of cancer related death in the 15-54 year age group. It has been estimated that 1 out of 9 females may develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. It is most common in women over the age of 50, but one third of the cases are in the 39-49 year old age group.
BREAST CANCER RISK FACTORS
1. Women whose mothers or sisters have had the disease.
2. Women who have never had children.
3. Women who have had their first baby after age thirty.
4. Women with a history of prior breast cancer in one breast.
5. Increased risk in females with fibrocystic breast disease.
6. Women with a history for early onset of menses.
7. Higher socioeconomic groups.
8. Women born in North America, or Northern Europe.
9. Urban versus rural residence.
10. Residing in the northern versus the southern United States.
* Numbers 7, 8, 9, and 10 are for unknown reasons.
OTHER POSSIBLE RISK FACTORS
1. A high fat diet (there is some evidence to support this as a possible cause)
2. Birth control pills (there is some debate over this as a possible cause)
WARNING SIGNS OF POSSIBLE BREAST CANCER
1. A lump that does not go away (including under the arm).
2. Dimpling of the skin over the breast.
3. Any nipple discharge.
4. Retraction of the nipple or changes in the nipple.
5. Any changes in breast shape or contour.
EARLY DETECTION is the most important factor in the successful treatment of breast cancer. Up to 90% of LOCALIZED breast cancer is now curable. The key here is in detecting the disease while it is still amenable to cure. The American Cancer Society recommends self-examination be performed monthly in all females over age 19. Physician exams are recommended every 3 years in the 20-40 age group and annually in those over 40.
YOU ARE THE MOST LIKELY PERSON TO DETECT ANY CHANGE OR LUMP IN YOUR OWN BREAST.
Evaluation of Breast Cancer
Evaluation now includes low dose mammography. This is a special x-ray which can reveal over 90% of all breast cancers. Mammography is now recommended for all women who have suspicious lumps. For general screening, it is recommended that all females between 35-40 years have a baseline study. The American Cancer Society recommends mammography every 1-2 years in females 40-49 years of age and every year in those 50 and older. There has been no evidence to suggest that the mammogram itself increases the risk of breast cancer.
Any suspicious lump will require biopsy (tissue specimen). The lump is surgically excised (totally removed using local anesthesia) and studied under the microscope. Definitive diagnosis of breast cancer requires a positive tissue biopsy.
Treatment of Breast Cancer
Treatment will be based on biopsy findings. If the biopsy is without cancer cells, only regular routine followup will be necessary. Up to 80% of breast biopsies are negative. Positive biopsies will be treated on the basis of the extent of tumor spread, the tumor type, and individual patient needs.
Treatment of breast cancer has two aims: prevention of local recurrence and prevention of spreading outside the breast. Local recurrence is controlled by surgically removing the breast (mastectomy), or in many cases by "lumpectomy" (removal of the lump) in combination with radiation therapy. Prevention of spread to other parts of the body is accomplished by hormone therapy (most commonly with tamoxifen) or by chemotherapy. If surgical removal (mastectomy) of the breast is required, rather than limited surgical excision, breast reconstruction after mastectomy is possible. The Plastic Surgeon or General Surgeon is the expert in this area.
An important part of therapy for any type of cancer is a nutritious diet.
A study is currently underway to determine if the medication tamoxifen has any beneficial effect in the prevention (prophylaxis) of breast cancer in some women.
SELF HELP:
1. Do not smoke.
2. Lower fats in your diet.
3. Perform routine self-examinations.
4. See your physician regularly.
5. Mammography per the recommendations above.
I hope that this article will provide you information about breast cancer.
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