Breast cancer is the most common cancer
among women worldwide. The prevalence of the condition can be attributed to the
invasive cancer cells that grow and develop within the woman’s breast/s and
have the possibility to spread elsewhere. Here, WebMD provides that “Breast cancer develops in the breast
tissue, primarily in the milk ducts (ductal carcinoma) or glands (lobular
carcinoma)” (1). The development of breast cancer begins when deposits and
lumps are formed within the woman’s breast. It is important to note that the
breast cancer growth depends on each patient. One might take years while others
spread quickly (WebMD, 1). As far as causes are concerned, doctors remain to be
uncertain to point out exactly what influences this condition. However, there
are studies that correlate genes, hormones and racial descent with breast
cancer. In seeking then to familiarize further with the condition, it is
important to identify diagnosis, treatment and preventive strategies related to
the condition.
In seeking to diagnosis and treatment,
there are different ways that women can determine if they have breast cancer or
not. It is good that women can have themselves check if they have possible
symptoms of breast cancer. A good way to diagnose this would be breast
self-exam or a clinical breast exam which is also referred to as mammography
(WebMD, 1). In doing a breast self-exam, one must be keen to feel if there are
unusual lumps around the breast area. For women who are 40 years and above, it
is recommended that they continue to have mammography examinations in order to
detect the onset of breast cancer since these are the period where they are at
risk of getting this disease (Indiana Health University, 1).
After gathering official mammography
results, the physician can then determine the appropriate diagnosis. In order
to determine if a woman has breast cancer, there are specific processes that
would allow the doctors to rule out other conditions. Specifically, WebMD
provides that “the only way to confirm cancer is
to perform a needle aspiration or a biopsy and to test the tissue sample for
cancer cells” (1). Likewise, the
use of imaging tests such as MRI and CT scans can also help determine the
extent of the cancer as well as if there is a necessity for an operation
procedure to be made.
In the administration of treatment,
physicians would first determine the overall health condition of the patient.
After this, specific approaches would be chosen and presented to the patient to
help address the problem. The treatments utilized by doctors to address breast
cancer are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or
combination of various therapeutic approaches (Living Beyond Breast Cancer, 1).
In the administration of surgery,
physicians would always look into how much cancer has spread to the breast.
Here, both doctors and women have options to consider. There is of course the
standard surgery. Specifically, WebMD mentions that “the standard surgery for breast cancer was once modified radical
mastectomy -- removal of the entire breast and lymph nodes in the breast and
under the arm” (1). On the other hand, if the cancer is detected early, then
the lump can be removed and then the woman can undergo a combination of therapy
in order to destroy other cancer cells that are present inside.
As far as
therapy is concerned, the most common for breast cancer is chemotherapy. The
process involves burning the group of cancer cells in a specific portion of the
body and preventing it from growing back (Cancer Council, 27). Similarly, the
same procedure is used for patients who already have a large cancer tumor and
cannot be necessarily undergo operation immediately.
“Chemotherapy or endocrine
therapy may also be given as the main treatment for women whose cancer has
spread to parts of the body outside of the breast and lymph nodes” (WebMD, 1).
Radiation therapy is also another feature in breast cancer treatment. Here,
radiation therapy also targets the cancer cells in a specific portion so that
it would not regenerate or go back (Cancer Council, 26). Equally, this part is
also important in complementing surgical procedures that are also associated
with breast cancer treatment. Other therapies can also be given to women and
are specifically based on the patient’s requirements.
The
administration of treatment against breast cancer also brings forward side
effects to patients. In particular, these can be particularly observed among
those who have undergone chemotherapy. The most common side effect of
administering breast cancer treatment is hair loss. This is because
chemotherapy allows the rapid dividing of cells and thus people lose their
hairs in the process (Living Beyond Breast Cancer 1). There are also side
effects associated with breast cancer treatment. Examples of these include
insomnia, fatigue and menopausal symptoms. Arguably, these can be properly
addressed provided that the patient understand why it is happening and what can
be done to respond to this issue (Living Beyond Breast Cancer 1).
There are
also other side effects apart from the physical manifestations in the body.
Emotionally, breast cancer treatments can be difficult and challenging. That is
why family members are expected to show their continued support. They should be
able to recognize the patient suffering and offer ways to alleviate the pain.
Here, continued engagement and support coming from physicians and family
members can be critical in helping patients toward recovery (Cancer Council,
28).
Recognizing the current need to address the
issue of breast cancer, research and tests remain to be continuous in order to
determine alternative methods for treatment. This part examines the different
factors that influence the development of the disease and try to figure out
solutions for each one. Examples of these applications include areas in:
administration of laboratory testing, different treatment methods such as
radiation treatment and new drugs that would aid chemotherapy (American Cancer
Society 1). Equally, new therapeutic approaches are carefully looked into by
researchers in order to assess its value particularly in disease prevention or
control. A good example for this is the Vitamin D therapy. Here, American
Cancer Society contends that “A study found that
women with early-stage breast cancer who had low levels of vitamin D were more
likely to have their cancer come back in a distant part of the body and had a
poorer outlook” (1). Arguably, all these remain to be essential in helping
advance the level of detection, treatment and therapies critical to patients.
In seeking to promote prevention, individuals need to
consider addressing specific risk factors that cause the problem. Since
physicians continue to be speculate on what approaches need to be made, the
most viable solution would be live a balanced life. This means that individuals
must have proper exercise and eat a healthy diet. Likewise, doctors also advise
continued interaction to determine early onset of breast cancer among patients
to help facilitate the appropriate treatment and responses (WebMD 1)
Works Cited
American Cancer Society. What’s new in breast cancer research? 2013 Web Available from
<http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/overviewguide/breast-cancer-overview-new-research>
Cancer Council. Understanding Breast Cancer: a guide for people with cancer, their families
and friends. 2009 Web Available from <http://www.lifehouserpa.org.au/uploadedFiles/Lifehouse/Content/Home/Understanding_cancer/Cancer_types/Breast/Breast_cancer/Understanding_Breast_Cancer_July09.pdf>
Indiana Health University. Understanding Breast Cancer. 2013 Web Available from
<http://iuhealth.org/cancer/breast-cancer/>
Living Beyond Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer Basics. 2010. Web Available from
<http://www.lbbc.org/Understanding-Breast-Cancer/Breast-Cancer-Basics>
WebMD. Understanding Breast Cancer – Diagnosis & Treatment. 2009 Web Available from
<http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/understanding-breast-cancer-treatment>
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