Every year, an estimate of 1 million women worldwide is diagnosed with breast cancer, not to mention the hundreds and thousand of women who died because of it. This makes breast cancer the most common kind of cancer to affect women. But exactly what is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a tumor caused by the uncontrollable growth of cells of the breast. Genes control cell growth. Once genes become abnormal, they can no longer control cell division, thus, cancer cells develop. Gene abnormality may be inherited from a parent, or normal genes can develop an abnormality due to external factors such as toxins and free radicals. These are sometimes called carcinogens.
Tumor can start from the lobules, or the milk-making gland. Or it can begin from the ducts, or the tubes connecting the lobules and nipple, where milk passes through. The most common kinds of breast cancer start from these parts. The less common ones are those formed in the tissues around these parts. Tumor may be confined in the specific part, or it may move or spread to other organs through blood or lymph vessels. If cancer cells have moved to and infected other parts and organs, this is called metastatic breast cancer.
There are many symptoms of breast cancer. Among them are lumps, swelling or dimpling of the skin of the breast, or if the nipple is inverted or facing inwards, or if there are discharges in the nipple. Symptoms can be detected through self-examination, clinical breast exams, and through tests like mammogram and MRI scan. It is advised that women at age 20 should learn how to conduct a monthly personal check. Your doctor can advise you if you need to take these tests.
Showing posts with label breast cancer facts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breast cancer facts. Show all posts
Monday, March 1, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Family history of breast cancer.
People that have been given a prognosis and then come to the realization that they have breast cancer will have a bit of shock to recover from in the initial days. Fortunately this shock wears off, and they seek support. This is a good thing, because support is precisely what a breast cancer patient needs at this crucial time in their life. This support can be given by friends, family, or even a support group.
Breast cancer treatment is a lot better now than it was in the past, fortunately. There are a number of factors that the success of such treatment relies on however, and therein lies the problem. The patient needs to be strong to undergo the prescribed treatments. This means they need to be both emotionally an physically fit.
Cancer is not a unique condition. In fact, everyone may have cancer cells somewhere in their body. There are a few factors that can trigger these cells into activity, one of which is a weakened immune system.
This isn't the only reason that people will contract breast cancer however. As you probably guessed, there are some hereditary reasons as well. For example, it could be something that was passed on from an ancestor. There are treatments of course, but not everyone is as open to treatment as you might think.
Sometimes the breast cancer treatment causes more harm that good. There has been more than one person that ended up with some sort of illness related to treatment itself. Secondary illnesses are quite common, especially when the immune system is weakened after chemotherapy.
There are several alternative treatments for breast cancer that you could look into. Alternative treatments and more traditional ones can be used in concert. These are things that you will need to go over with your doctor at some point.
Your breast cancer could be severe, or it could be less severe, but either way you need to be well informed. You need to know what it is that is happening to your body, and you need to know as soon as possible. Support groups are everywhere, and if you don't want to leave your home you can always use internet support groups. There is always someone that is willing to help, you just have to search for them.
If you wish to be cured of your illness, then you need to take measures to reduce stress in your life and make sure you are healthy. This means you need to be well in every sense of the word. Be at peace, and do not be afraid. This is where the support groups come in, and you will find them to be particularly helpful during this painful time.
The tendency for people to procrastinate only exacerbates the problem of breast cancer. Doing this only hurts you! Don't put it off, and think that the problem will resolve itself. Get the help you need! With proper attention and care, the chances of getting on the road to recovery greatly increase.
Breast cancer treatment is a lot better now than it was in the past, fortunately. There are a number of factors that the success of such treatment relies on however, and therein lies the problem. The patient needs to be strong to undergo the prescribed treatments. This means they need to be both emotionally an physically fit.
Cancer is not a unique condition. In fact, everyone may have cancer cells somewhere in their body. There are a few factors that can trigger these cells into activity, one of which is a weakened immune system.
This isn't the only reason that people will contract breast cancer however. As you probably guessed, there are some hereditary reasons as well. For example, it could be something that was passed on from an ancestor. There are treatments of course, but not everyone is as open to treatment as you might think.
Sometimes the breast cancer treatment causes more harm that good. There has been more than one person that ended up with some sort of illness related to treatment itself. Secondary illnesses are quite common, especially when the immune system is weakened after chemotherapy.
There are several alternative treatments for breast cancer that you could look into. Alternative treatments and more traditional ones can be used in concert. These are things that you will need to go over with your doctor at some point.
Your breast cancer could be severe, or it could be less severe, but either way you need to be well informed. You need to know what it is that is happening to your body, and you need to know as soon as possible. Support groups are everywhere, and if you don't want to leave your home you can always use internet support groups. There is always someone that is willing to help, you just have to search for them.
If you wish to be cured of your illness, then you need to take measures to reduce stress in your life and make sure you are healthy. This means you need to be well in every sense of the word. Be at peace, and do not be afraid. This is where the support groups come in, and you will find them to be particularly helpful during this painful time.
The tendency for people to procrastinate only exacerbates the problem of breast cancer. Doing this only hurts you! Don't put it off, and think that the problem will resolve itself. Get the help you need! With proper attention and care, the chances of getting on the road to recovery greatly increase.
Breast Cancer Detection- Identify Early Symptoms of Breast Cancer.
A cancer is caused when a number of cells start growing abnormally in any portion of the body. The breast is also was not about to such an abnormal occurrence happening, and that is the reason why, breast cancer is known to be one of the most common cancers occurring in women. In fact, some scientific studies and research has shown that one out of every 10 women suffer from breast cancer. Well, I did not know that! And that is the reason why, it is extremely necessary that we know all the tell-tale symptoms, warning signs, and treatments of breast cancer.
Nearly everybody who has suffered from breast cancer may say that it started up with a small lump, which was felt in the breast or under the armpit. After that, a discharge was noticed from the nipple and this symptom look so abnormal, and unusual that the doctor was consulted immediately. She immediately suggested a mammogram. That means she recommended an x-ray of the breast to see if there was any sort of abnormal growth in that particular area. She may have even suggested a breast biopsy. That means a little piece of the breast tissue was taken for more thorough testing.
If you are lucky, she is going to give you an all clear sign, saying that the mammogram did not show any occurrence of breast cancer. On the other hand, she could easily tell you that your breast biopsy test tested positive for breast cancer.
Now, here are some common symptoms of breast cancer.
1.Did you notice a lumpy growth in your breast or under the armpits?
2.Do you find some swelling, which was not explained in the breast area?
3.Did you notice that the color of the skin around the nipples or on the breast had changed to red?
4.Did you notice some abnormal puffiness and scaliness in the region around your nipple?
5.Did you find an unexplained lump under the underarm?
Do you find your breasts or your nipples paining with no perceptible cause or reason?
Well, these symptoms can presage the onset of breast cancer. On the other hand, you do not have to panic without a complete diagnosis. They might even be symptomatic of some non-cancerous conditions like breast cysts, or breast infections. Nevertheless, it is extremely necessary that you go in for a complete checkup. The warning signs are there; you need to act on them immediately so that the doctor can check and nip the problem right at the beginning itself.
There is a good percentage chance of your surviving breast cancer, if it is treated properly to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. On the other hand, if it has managed to spread to the other parts of your body, as well as the lymph nodes, your doctors may need to take even more drastic treatment steps, like surgery. But you do not have to worry, the idea of removing a breast is the last option; it can be treated and is often cured when caught in the early stages. These treatments are going to include chemotherapy and radiotherapy, prescribed according to the metastasis (spread) of the cancer.
Nearly everybody who has suffered from breast cancer may say that it started up with a small lump, which was felt in the breast or under the armpit. After that, a discharge was noticed from the nipple and this symptom look so abnormal, and unusual that the doctor was consulted immediately. She immediately suggested a mammogram. That means she recommended an x-ray of the breast to see if there was any sort of abnormal growth in that particular area. She may have even suggested a breast biopsy. That means a little piece of the breast tissue was taken for more thorough testing.
If you are lucky, she is going to give you an all clear sign, saying that the mammogram did not show any occurrence of breast cancer. On the other hand, she could easily tell you that your breast biopsy test tested positive for breast cancer.
Now, here are some common symptoms of breast cancer.
1.Did you notice a lumpy growth in your breast or under the armpits?
2.Do you find some swelling, which was not explained in the breast area?
3.Did you notice that the color of the skin around the nipples or on the breast had changed to red?
4.Did you notice some abnormal puffiness and scaliness in the region around your nipple?
5.Did you find an unexplained lump under the underarm?
Do you find your breasts or your nipples paining with no perceptible cause or reason?
Well, these symptoms can presage the onset of breast cancer. On the other hand, you do not have to panic without a complete diagnosis. They might even be symptomatic of some non-cancerous conditions like breast cysts, or breast infections. Nevertheless, it is extremely necessary that you go in for a complete checkup. The warning signs are there; you need to act on them immediately so that the doctor can check and nip the problem right at the beginning itself.
There is a good percentage chance of your surviving breast cancer, if it is treated properly to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. On the other hand, if it has managed to spread to the other parts of your body, as well as the lymph nodes, your doctors may need to take even more drastic treatment steps, like surgery. But you do not have to worry, the idea of removing a breast is the last option; it can be treated and is often cured when caught in the early stages. These treatments are going to include chemotherapy and radiotherapy, prescribed according to the metastasis (spread) of the cancer.
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