Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops from breast tissue. This is the most common cancer among American women and the second most common cause of death in women after lung cancer.
Every eighth woman in the United States develops breast cancer. The causes of breast cancer are not yet known, although several risk factors have been identified.
There are many types of breast cancer that differ in their ability to spread (metastasis) to other tissues of the body.
Breast cancer can be treated through surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.
Most women with breast cancer have some type of surgery as part of their treatment. There are several types of breast surgery, and this can happen for a variety of reasons, depending on the situation.
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. It is sometimes used after a breast cancer operation to kill any undetectable cancer cells that may remain in the breast or lymph nodes. The drugs used in chemotherapy are capecitabine (Xeloda), carboplatin, cisplatin and many others.
While hormone therapy is a form of systemic therapy, it targets cancer cells almost everywhere in the body, not just the breast. It is advisable for women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer (ER positive and / or PR positive) and does not help women whose tumors are hormone receptor negative and often after a surgery (as adjunct therapy) reduce the risk of cancer return.
Hormonal Therapy Include Those that Block estrogen receptors on breast cancer cells are Tamoxifen, Fulvestrant (Faslodex) While some Drugs Lower Estrogen Level are Letrozole (Femara) , Exemestane (Aromasin), Anastrozole (Arimidex),.
The following are Early Signs Of Breast Cancer to contact the Doctor for a visit:
1. Swelling, hardening, thickening of the breast. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) causes a series of signs and symptoms, of which the fastest developing (within 3 to 6 months) including swelling (edema / swelling) in the skin of the breast.
2. Lumps on or near the chest or armpit.
The swelling of the breasts can be caused by an inflammatory breast cancer, a particularly aggressive form of the disease. Swelling or lumps around the collarbone or underarms can be caused by breast cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes in these areas.
3. Nervousness in the nipple without any other cause.
4. Dilated pores that make the chest look like an orange peel.Changes in the surface can be an indication of cancer. Look at the pores of the chest; If they look like the skin of an orange, it can be a sign of cancer.
5. Inexplicable heat or sensitivity in the breast.
6. Irritated or itchy breasts.
7. Any unexplained changes in color, texture, size or shape of the breasts or nipples.
8. Changes in the appearance of the breast or nipple may contain different diagnosis
9. Inexplicable breast contraction, especially if only on one side.
10. Thickening and reddening of skin around the nipple.
11. A change in the symmetrical shape of the breast especially if it has a shape other than original.
12. Dimpling: A condition called fat necrosis is unrelated to breast cancer and may also cause skin padding. Sometimes fat tissue in the breast can be damaged and die. This can lead to a nodule that could be mistaken for a tumor.This form of cancer causes the blockage of lymphatic vessels in the skin.
13. The nipples swing inward without explanation.
14. Shabby, red or swollen breast or nipples, darker skin around the nipple.
15. Nipple discharge beyond normal lactation.
Note: These are all possible signs of breast cancer in the early stages, you have to pay attention to your body. If you have one or more of these symptoms, it does not mean that you have breast cancer Like Nipple discharge can also be caused by infection.If you have them, Consult Your doctor so that the cause can be found.