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BREAST CANCER
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BREAST CANCER
Introduction: Most of the great variety of tumors or growths, which may occur in the female breast, are not cancerous. Nevertheless, it is essential to seek immediate medical attention at the first sign of any suspicious changes or abnormalities in the breast since early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer can be life saving. Breast cancer continues to be the most common form of cancer in women - especially in those between the ages of about 40 to 45 - and claims more than 40,000 lives annually in the United States alone.
Despite massive worldwide research efforts to discover the possible causes of breast cancer in women and to evaluate the best methods of medical and surgical treatment, no major breakthrough or discoveries have been made within the past 50 years. Indeed, great controversy still exists within the medical profession regarding the best method of treating various forms of breast cancer. Certainly treatment methods have improved; and most important, the widespread knowledge of the benefits of early detection and treatment has no doubt saved many lives.
Experts are aware that the risk of breast cancer is highest among unmarried women with no pregnancies and who began their menstrual cycles at a relatively early age. But the obvious suggestion that this is definitely linked to prolonged exposure to high levels of ESTROGENS during menstrual cycles over many years (unrelieved by becoming pregnant) has not been substantiated scientifically. Objective, irrefutable evidence still does not exist that the female hormones contained in oral contraceptives (the "Pill") increase the incidence of breast cancer; indeed what evidence there is suggests that the Pill may possibly even protect against breast cancer. The use of the pill however, is not as widespread anymore since there are many other birth controls options now available. Likewise, women receiving estrogen therapy have not been definitely proved to be more susceptible to cancer of the breast. In both cases, however, these possibilities are still being investigated in long-term research studies.
Causes: What has been shown to be true-even though the reasons are unclear- is that breast cancer is more common (1) in women in the higher socioeconomic classes; (2) in those with a family history of the disease; (3) in those with previous disease of the breast (regardless of the cause); (4) in single women who have not been pregnant; and (5) in those whose first menstrual cycles started at or before the age of 12. For some unexplained reason, breast cancer is also more common among Jewish women than among non-Jewish women. Breast cancer has also been linked to type of diet, the amount of fat consumed in one's diet and being overweight. Breast cancer is also more common in Western women than in Asiatics such as the Japanese. It is relatively rare in women below the age of 25, reaching its highest incidence just before, during, or after menopause.
Among the possible causes of breast cancer which have been extensively investigated is some form of viral infection. (Experiments have clearly demonstrated that certain viruses can cause mammary cancer in mice-animals, which provide an important "model" of the human form of the disease). Another possibility under current investigation is the part played by diet. A popular belief exists among many women that a blow to the chest may be responsible for the subsequent development of breast cancer; this has never been substantiated, however, and it is generally thought that such a cause is most unlikely. (Breast cancer in men is an extremely rare disease).
Warning signs: Among the warning signs of breast cancer are: (1) the appearance of any unusual lump or nodule in either breast (which may or may not be a harmless cyst or other benign growth); (2) changes in the nipple, either by alterations in position or by retraction ("inverted nipples"); (3) puckering of the skin on the breast; (4) bleeding or other discharges from the nipple; (5) an unusual rash on the breast or nipple; (6) an unusual prominence of veins over the breast (however, in pregnant women this is fairly common). Many women may have one or more of these symptoms without having cancer. But because of the rapid growth of many breast cancers, medical attention must be obtained immediately-especially if any unusual lump is evident.
Self-examination: Many experts recommend monthly self-examination of the breasts. This can be performed while standing or sitting in front of a mirror or even while taking a shower. However, it is desirable to observe the shape of the breasts in a mirror in addition to feeling for any abnormal changes in the consistency of the breast tissues. The visual examination should be made first with the arms raised and then with the arms hanging loosely by the sides. The light should fall evenly on the chest from the front, which will aid in recognizing any dimpling of the skin or changes in the size or shape of the breasts. About 95% of all women with breast cancer seek medical attention after discovering some abnormality or suspicious change as the result of self-examination. It is best to conduct this examination on or about the same day each month, preferably when the breasts are softest (after the menstrual period). Note any changes in the shape of your breasts with your arms upstretched, then feel every part of the breasts and up into the armpits for any lumps or changes. Lumps may well be painless but should not be ignored.
Breast cancer may also be diagnosed at an early stage-before any lumps can be detected-by regular screening using x-rays (MAMMOGRAPHY) or infrared imaging (THERMOGRAPHY). At present this form of SCREENING is recommended for women in high-risk groups and for all women aged over 50.
Treatment: Treatment of breast cancer may involve a combination of surgery, irradiation and drug therapy. The choice of therapy will depend largely on the extent of invasion of the breast and surrounding tissues with cancer cells. In some cases it may be possible to remove a small lump or nodule of cancerous tissue without removing the entire breast (a procedure known as a lumpectomy). In other cases, where the cancer cells have spread to involve the lymph nodes of the armpit and surrounding areas, it may be necessary to remove the breast and the underlying muscles, as well as tissues nearby which have become invaded by cancer cells (radical mastectomy). Between these two extremes, it may only be necessary to remove all or most of the affected breast without recourse to removing other tissues (simple mastectomy).
There is no general agreement regarding the best combination of therapy for the treatment of breast cancer. Some experts believe that the possible spread of cancer cells can be controlled following mastectomy by exposure of the tissues to x-rays (irradiation therapy). Other experts at treating breast cancers believe that the use of anticancer ("cytotoxic") drugs may be a possible alternative to radical mastectomy, although the research studies designed to answer that question are not yet complete. The aim of this adjuvant chemotherapy is the destruction of any small "satellites" of cancer cells in the bones, the liver or other organs remote from the breast.
Alternative means of treating breast cancer are currently being investigated, such as the administration of a vaccine ordinarily used for the prevention of tuberculosis. This vaccine, known as BCG (bacille Calmette-Guerin), stimulates the production of antibodies that in some cases are thought to destroy cancer cells. At present, however, such attempts to stimulate the body's immunological defense system (immunotherapy) in the control of breast cancer remain only a possibility.
Summary: The outlook for treatment of breast cancer remains guarded but there are some hopeful trends. Publicity and the growth of screening programs have encouraged women to seek treatment earlier, and the breast tumors removed by surgeons are now on average substantially smaller then ten years ago. The combination of early treatment and adjuvant chemotherapy and new technologies under development should improve the cure rate in the decades to come.
Ultimately, personal vigilance and early detection remain a woman's best weapons in the war against cancer.
Breast Information
Breast Feeding Breast Cancer Breast Cancer Facts Mammograms
Breast Exams Breast Self Exams Breast Health Breast Exercises
Grobust" Bustlines Endow Plus" Bustlines Natural Contours" Bustlines
Sexual History Breasts Breast Implant Alternatives Breasts Under vs Over
Women's Links Lose Weight ORDER HERE Mail Order BustLine Center Home
Disclaimer
This information is not intended to be medical advice or scientific in nature and is based solely on anecdotal research from many sources and is presented as general information for historical purposes only. Anyone considering an option to undergo any type of elective surgery or medical procedure or having any health concerns should perform extensive research and consult with their physician before deciding upon a course of action.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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