Breast Cancer
Cancer occurs when there are changes or mutations in genes and these changes stimulate cell growth. These mutations allow cells to divide and reproduce uncontrollably. Breast cancer occurs when mutations occur in the lobules or ducts. The lobules are the milk producing glands and ducts that lead the milk to the nipple. Cancer will also occur in fibrous connective tissues in the breast. If the symptoms of breast cancer are not detected in the early stages, it can spread to healthy tissues or fibrous connective tissues in the breast. Cancer spreads through the lymph nodes, which happens to be the main route of the disease.
Breast cancer treatment involves doctors and various medical specialists working together to create a treatment plan that manages the various stages of breast cancer. Surgeons and specialists work together to cure the disease and prevent further spread.
Prevention of breast cancer:
Although there may be many risk factors that you cannot control, you can follow a healthy lifestyle that includes healthy and nutritious food, avoid alcohol and smoking, and maintain a regular exercise regimen. .
Go for regular mammography screenings, because breast cancer cannot be detected in the early stages. Mammography helps to reduce the chance of it not being detected.
Some women are at risk of developing breast cancer due to genetic factors. For example, if your mother or father has a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, you are at high risk of breast cancer. If you are at risk for a gene mutation, talk to your doctor about preventive measures and diagnostic measures. Prevention steps will include prophylactic mastectomy.
Symptoms of breast cancer:
Breast cancer does not have many symptoms in the early stages. In most cases, the tumor may be too small to be felt, but if there is an abnormality, it can be detected by performing a mammogram. If a tumor is evident, the first symptom is usually a lump in the breast that can be felt and was not there in the past. Some common symptoms of breast cancer include:
The breast lump has grown and thickened and feels different from the surrounding tissue.
breast pain
Pitted and inflamed skin in the entire chest area
Inflammation in parts of your breast
Abnormal nipple discharge, other than breast milk
Bloody discharge from your nipple
Flaking, peeling, or flaking on your nipples
A sudden change in your breast size
Inverted nipple
The difference in the appearance of your breast skin
A lump under the arm
Now, it is important to understand that if you have any of these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that you have breast cancer. Sometimes the lump can be a benign cyst. However, if you see a lump, see an oncologist right away to get a proper diagnosis.
Stages of breast cancer:
Breast cancer can be divided into stages based on the size of the tumor and the speed of its spread in the body. Cancers that are large and have spread to most parts of the body are classified at higher stages. To decide the stage of breast cancer, oncologists and other medical professionals must consider:
(Whether the cancer is invasive or non-invasive) Tumor size
Lymph nodes are used as a route
Cancer has spread to nearby organs or tissues
make a decision
There are five stages of breast cancer – from 0 to 5:
stage 0-
This stage is where the cancer cells remain in the ducts of the breast and have not yet spread to the surrounding tissues. This stage is also known as DCIS.
Step 1-
1A shows that the primary tumor is two centimeters in size and the lymph nodes have not yet been used.
1B is when the cancer is found in the lymph nodes and the tumor is smaller than 2 cm.
Step 2-
Stage 2A cancer is when the tumor is smaller than two centimeters and has effectively spread to 1/3 of the surrounding lymph nodes, or it can be two to five centimeters and has not spread to any lymph nodes.
Stage 2B is when the tumor is between 2 and 5 cm and has spread to 1/3 of the axillary lymph nodes.
Step 3-
3A is when the cancer has spread to most of the lymph nodes and the tumor is large enough to be felt as a lump in any of the breast nodes.
3B is when the tumor has invaded the chest wall and more than 9 lymph nodes.
3C is when the cancer has spread to ten or more axillary lymph nodes near the collarbone or internal mammary nodes.
Step 4-
This stage includes a tumor of any size, and cancer cells have spread to distant organs and spread to almost all nearby and distant lymph nodes.
The tests your specialist performs will help them understand your stage and develop a treatment plan that will work best for you.
Breast cancer diagnosis:
To determine whether your symptoms are caused by a breast tumor or a benign breast disease, your specialist will perform a physical exam, along with a thorough breast exam. Your doctor may order more than one diagnostic test to understand the cause of your symptoms.
The following tests help diagnose breast cancer:
Mammography – This imaging test is the most common way to see below the surface of the breast. Most women between the ages of 40 and 60 tend to have an annual mammogram to check for signs of breast cancer. If your specialist suspects your existence