Breast Cancer - Know It to Prevent It

 

Introduction

“Time is shortening. But every day that I challenge this cancer and survive is a victory for me.” (Bergman, I., 2017). Cancer defined as cells that divided abnormally in an uncontrolled way. Some of the cancers may spread to another tissue. There are several types of cancer. In the UK, there are one or two people who will get cancer in their lifetime. (UK, c. r., 2017). 

When cancer began to inhabit the cells, it will build blocks in the body.  Frankly, cancer is not considered one disease only but its several diseases.  This paper seeks to discuss and evaluate breast cancer through definition, causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, complications, and treatment.  

Definition of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is defined as cancer which develops in women’s breast. Cancer of the breast starts when cells began to grow out of control. This cell is a tumor that can be seen in an x-ray. 

This tumor may be benign or possibly malignant.  Breast cancer occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get breast cancer, too.  (Society, A. C., 2016). In addition, breast cancer is the growth of breast cells in an uncontrolled way.  Cancer occurs as a result of mutations, or abnormal changes, in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy. Finally, the term “breast cancer” refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast. (Cancer, B., 2016).

Causes

In recent times, there are not clear causes of breast cancer. Some physicians know that breast cancer occurs when breast cells began to grow abnormally without any control. These cells rapidly growing than healthy cells and continue to accumulate and then forming a mass.  This cell will spread from the breast to the lymph nodes or to the parts of the body. Breast cancer begins with cells producing milk. 

Furthermore, breast cancer also begins in the glandular tissue called lobules. With brief words, most researchers have identified that the most causes are hormonal, lifestyle, and environmental factors which increase the risk factors for breast cancer. Finally, it’s likely that breast cancer is caused by a complex interaction of your genetic makeup and your environment. (Clinic, M., 1998). 

Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer does not show any signs and symptoms in the early stage. In addition, signs and symptoms of breast cancer may appear when the tumor grows large enough to feel that there is a lump in the breast.  There is another health condition which causes the same signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

There are signs and symptoms of breast cancer which include a lump in the armpit, changes in the size of the breast, and changes in the nipple of the breast. On the other hand, there are late signs and symptoms of breast cancer that grows large and spread all parts of the body and these symptoms are a pain in the bone, weight loss, nausea, loss of appetite, jaundice, shortness of breath, cough, headache, double vision, and muscle weakness.

Finally, breast cancer does not show any signs and symptoms but the most common signs are headache, muscle weakness, and cough which may dry or wet.  (Society, C. C., 2017). 

Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

There are tests and procedures used to diagnose breast cancer and these tests are Breast exam, Mammogram which is an X-Ray of the breast, Breast ultrasound, removing a sample of breast cells for testing (biopsy), and Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The best method of these tests is biopsy due to the only definitive way to diagnose breast cancer. On the other hand, there are some tests and procedures which make confirmation that the patient has breast cancer and these tests are Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), Mammogram of the other breast to look for signs of cancer, Breast MRI, Bone scan, Computerized tomography (CT) scan, and Positron emission tomography (PET) scan.

Finally, not all women will need all of these tests and procedures. Some doctors select the appropriate tests based on your specific circumstances and taking into account new symptoms you may be experiencing and also based on the patient's condition.  (Clinic, M., 1998).

Complications of Breast Cancer

There are a lot of complications that occur as a result of breast cancer. Cancer and his treatment can cause several complications which include Pain, Fatigue, Difficulty breathing, Nausea, Diarrhea or constipation, Weight loss, Chemical changes in your body, Brain and nervous system problems, Unusual immune system reactions to cancer, Cancer that spreads, and Cancer that returns. (Clinic, M., 1998).

Treatment of Breast Cancer

Treatment of breast cancer varies depending on the stage or degree at which the disease is developed. There are four stages of treatment of breast cancer. In stages one and two, the tumor in these two stages is usually less than 5 cm in the surrounding area inside the breast with the possibility of infection of the lymph nodes under the armpit.

The treatment is surgical resection of the tumor and retention of the breast with the removal of infected lymph nodes from under the armpit so Chemotherapy is recommended if cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes. In addition, Hormone therapy is recommended, especially if cancer cells are found to be affected by hormonal receptors.  In stage three, the tumor grows to 5 cm or extends to the muscles of the chest or skin with the possibility of lymph nodes infected under the armpit.

The treatment includes chemotherapy should be given before any surgical intervention until the size of the tumor is reduced so the removal of the tumor and the lymph nodes and the preservation of the breast and then follow the rest of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and hormonal.

In stage four, The tumor at this stage has spread to all areas of the whole body and is mostly treated by hormones if the cancer cells affect the hormonal receptors and on the other is a chemical treatment if the hormone receptors negative and ultimately the doctor's decision is the surgical overlap. 

Written By - Samy Samir Gayed Ghoubrous

Edited By - Khushi Prajapati