Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a disease whereby cells in the breast begin to grow and change in an abnormal manner. The cancer can take many forms - lumps, tumors, or a massive amount of cancer cells.

Thus, if a lump is located in one’s breast, it may or may not be cancerous. Tests are performed to determine its type - either a cyst or a lump. In many cases, a lump that is found may turn out to be a cyst that is benign, that is, non-cancerous. This cyst is filled with fluid and can be extracted and tested.

If, on the other hand, the lump is solid, then tissue is removed from the lump and outlying lymph nodes to determine if there are cancer cells present or not. If the results are positive, the lump would be removed as well as any adjoining tissue that is affected.

Treatment for cancer requires that the initial lump is removed and radiation or chemotherapy is utilized to kill any remaining cells.

In cases where the cancer has metastasized (this means that the cells from the lump have broken away and have begun to spread), a more aggressive course of treatment is prescribed.

While studies have shown that small lumps are less likely to metastasize, it is the aggressive nature of the cancer that determines this factor. While a large lump may not begin to spread because the cancer cells are not as aggressive, there is still a possibility that a smaller lump may do so due to the nature of its increased cell pattern.

Studies have also indicated that the immune system plays a large role in whether or not the cancer cells are activated. For example, one may have cancer cells that have remained dormant due to the immune system’s ability to control them.

However, it is when the immune system can no longer control these cancer cells that they reveal themselves and begin to spread.

Here are the three most common types of breast cancer:

* Ductal carcinoma in situ, which is when the cancer is found in the gland that produces milk, but has not yet spread to other areas. This type of cancer is considered to be the earliest state of cancer, affecting 20% of women. Moreover, the cure rate is 100%.

* Invasive ductal carcinoma, which occurs in about 80% of women. With this type, the cancer breaks through the wall of the duct and settles around the fatty tissue. This type of cancer can spread to surrounding lymph nodes and blood vessels.
* Invasive lobular carcinoma, which affects approximately 10% of women. The term “invasive” means that the cancer will spread to the lymph nodes and blood due to the fact that the cells have penetrated the lobule. A lobule is the gland and ducts that produces milk.

Breast cancer awareness is important for all women to research and understand. There are a myriad of organizations and online websites that offer both comprehensive information and the latest information available on the advances made within the scientific community, to help eradicate this disease once and for all.

A mammogram is a procedure whereby x-rays are taken of both breasts to detect any lumps or changes in the breast tissue.

While women perform self-examination on their breasts regularly, it is the mammograms that can readily detect any abnormality which may or may not require further investigation. Currently, mammograms are the best method for detecting breast cancer.

In cases where there is a detection of an abnormality, the doctor may request an ultrasound of the breast as an added precaution. An ultrasound offers a clearer picture of the breast tissue (much like an ultrasound of the heart), and can offer a much deeper analysis of the breast tissue that relates to the original abnormality found. Once this test has been examined by a radiologist and depending upon the results, further investigation may be required.

One type of procedure that the doctor may require is to insert a needle into the lump and remove the fluid. If the lump turns out to be a cyst, the fluid will dissipate the cyst. However, if there is solidity of the lump, then the cells within the lump are withdrawn and examined.

If, after this procedure, there are no definitive results, a biopsy may be called for to determine if the lump is benign or malignant. A biopsy is a test where a small piece of tissue is excised from the lump as well as the area surrounding the lump. The tissue is then sent to a laboratory where it can be determined if the tissues shows sign of cancer.

Once the results are forthcoming, and if it is determined that the lump is cancerous, an operation to remove the lump and adjoining lymph nodes (if they are affected), is followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation.

Mammograms can be a life-saving or life-altering procedure. While the breasts are routinely checked during a gynecological exam as well as in self-examinations performed at home, it is the mammogram that will confirm if there is a problem.

Annual mammograms are necessary. They can literally save lives and prevent the spread of cancer if detected early.