Common form of
cancer in women of the world is Breast one out of 8 women will develop this
cancer at any stage of their lives and this condition is alarming for every
girl in our society.
Starting symptoms
of that includes a new lump in any part of the breast. The treatment of that
lump is mostly surgery but also other combination of treatments also be followed
like radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Breast cancer disease also develops in Men
but it’s very rare. Each year around 2 male from one 100 are diagnosed and
results was about 1% of all breast cancer diagnoses.
This
disease occurs when breast cells start developing abnormally and there growth
is out of control which form malignant (cancerous) tumor. There also have a
possibility for Breast cancerous cell to spread in other parts of the body via
lymphatic system and it also spread by direct entry into blood vessels. Once if
they can spread then there is possibility of occurring “secondary” cancers.
Majority of new lumps found are non cancerous. 75% of breast cancer occurs in
women above the age of 50 years. Worldwide Breast cancer cases increase in
developed countries from the past 30 years. If a woman has Breast cancer a
probability of having it again increased a lot.
What is Breast
The breast is a
combination of fatty tissue glandular tissue and fibrous tissue and this
combination lie on ribs of chest on a brand of strong muscles. The only
biological function of breast is that it provides milk to babies other then
this it has no biological function.
The shape of the
breast is given by fiber tissue and these tissue also support glandular and
fatty tissue. As women grow the fibrous tissue is replaced with fatty tissue
and this replacement gives the basic structure and shape of breasts.
Glandular tissue
consists of series of lobules. Lobules are very small structure which is
responsible of producing milk when it stimulates with the hormones of female
gender during the time period of pregnancy .The milk produced in lobules pass
through the duct which opens into the nipples.
With in breast
there is lymph node which is small glands which are along with lymph vessels in
which nodes drain and these are a part of lymphatic system. The purpose of this
lymphatic system is to filter infection and prevent these infections entering
into blood stream. Lymph vessels system found in every breast that drains into
a system of 24 lymph nodes in the armpit and these axillary nodes are called
lymph nodes. Behind breast bone there are also lymph nodes called mammary
nodes. These nodes drain into axillary nodes, remaining nodes drain into other
nodes in the chest.
Axillary lymph nodes system
Breast Cancer Causes
The basic cause of
Breast cancer is still unknown but it still known that which women are more at
risk and in which women developing breast cancer causes is more. Risk factors
of breast cancer are:
·
Women over the age of 37 years.
·
Having a history of developing breast
cancer in family – the younger the member the more the chance of developing Brest cancer is more and the risk is greater.
·
If a girl had breast cancer
previously.
·
Having biopsy showing Breast lump or
thickening of breast cancer.
·
If a girl have breast cancer in her
gene (BRCA.1 or BRCA.2).Those women who have Breast cancer gene have a chance
of 50% chance of developing cancer in her breast.
Other factors that increase risk of
breast cancer:
·
An early onset of periods or the late
onset.
·
Having first child after the age of
25 years or a women did not have child throughout life
·
Diet maters a lot in that’s case high
fat diet increase risk factor a lot.
·
Fiber intake is low in diet.
·
Excessive use of alcohol.
·
fruits and vegetables less intake.
·
Taking HRT medication continues for 5
to 7 years.
·
It’s not decisively proven but it
happens when taking the contraceptive pill it increase the risk of breast
cancer to some extent.
·
Having Jewish heritage increase the
risk factor
Breast Cancer types.
There is different type of
breast cancer found. From these types of breast cancer two common types are
ductal breast cancer and lobular breast cancer.Each of these breast cancers can
be either “in situ” or “invasive”.
In Situ: These are earliest stage of breast cancer and they can develop
into enveloping breast cancer or it also raise the risk of developing
enveloping cancer if this can caught at early stage then this is totally
curable.
Ductal carcinoma: This happens where breast
cancer cells are fully contained within the milk ducts and have not spread into
the surrounding breast tissue. It is mostly cured with surgtreated with
surgery (mastectomy) or combined surgery (partial mastectomy) and radiotherapy.
Lobular carcinoma in situ
(LCIS): This is where the breast cancer cells are completely contained
within the milk lobules and have not spread into the surrounding breast tissue.
Often LCIS does not need treatment. Instead, regular breast exams and
mammograms may be used to monitor for the early changes of developing breast
cancer.
Inflammatory Breast cancer and
Medullary Breast cancer are other ordinary types of breast cancer.
Breast cancer Signs
and symptoms.
The first most
common sign of breast cancer is a forming of new lump in breast and the lump forms
is typically pain less.
Additional signs of
breast cancer consist of:
·
Thickness of tissue in the breast.
·
Change in the nipple or nipple
discharge.
·
Dimpling or puckering of the skin of
the breast.
·
Size of breast change.
·
Shape of breast change
While these
symptoms may not be related to breast cancer, it is important to see a doctor
promptly for assessment and accurate diagnosis if any of these symptoms are
present. Early detection is vital in the successful treatment of breast
cancer.
Diagnosis of Breast cancer.
If other symptoms
of breast cancer or a new lump found in breast then you must consult to Breast
cancer specialist for evaluation and specialist will recommend diagnosis. For accurate
diagnosis three step methods are required.
Clinical
examination:
In clinical
examination Doctor start with examining both breasts and lump’s size location
and other individuality like whether it is soft regular or irregular. Doctor
will ask about that lump present in your breast like when it has grown and is
it painful or not and also ask question about family history and previous breat
lumps so that it can know the percentage of risk factors.
Imaging:
A mammogram which is particular breast x-ray show the soft
tissue of the breast and can indicate any doubtful areas. Ultrasound scanning also
used to monitor or image breast tissues using sound waves. Pictures of
any suspicious areas can be taken it also generate a report whether the lump is
fluid filled or solid.
Biopsy:
In biopsies different tissues samples of lump is taken and then sent to
the laboratory for psychiatry.
·
Fine needle ambition method: Its
mostly a first step of biopsy performed using a local anesthetic and inserting
small needle into the lump and taking a small sample of cells or fluid. This sample
later sent to laboratory for assessment. This biopsy technique was guided by
ultrasound technique.
·
Core biopsy method: this method uses
a large needle to take a sample of the lump tissues and /or fluid. A very small
opening made in the skin over the lump.
At laboratory tissues are sliced very carefully and examine under glass
slide.
·
Stereotactic core biopsy method: this biopsy
method performed on a x-ray table allowing 3 dimensional computerized images of
the lump used to guide the biopsy needle into the lump.
·
Excision biopsy method: This is a
minor surgical procedure where part or all of the abnormal area is
removed. It can be performed using a local or general anaesthetic.
If the lump is unable to be precisely located using mammogram or ultrasound
scanning, it may need to be marked by a thin wire called a "hook wire
