By: Adrien Brody
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the United States (other than skin cancer). Each year, in the United States alone, approximately 220,000 women are told they have breast cancer. Upon hearing this unexpected and overwhelming news, a woman is faced with having to make treatment choices within a very short period of time. While curable if detected early, breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women ages 35 to 54.
Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases. Cancer occurs when, for unknown reasons, cells become abnormal and multiply without control or order. All parts of the body are made up of cells that normally divide to produce more cells only when the body needs them. When cancer occurs, cells keep dividing even when new cells are not needed.
There are several types of breast cancer. The most common is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the lining of the milk ducts within the breast. Another type, lobular carcinoma, begins in the lobules where breast milk is produced. If a cancerous tumor invades nearby tissue, it is called invasive cancer.
Cancer cells may spread beyond the breast to other lymph nodes, or the bones, liver or lungs. When breast cancer spreads, it is called metastatic breast cancer even though it is found in another part of the body. For example, breast cancer that has spread to the liver is called metastatic breast cancer, not liver cancer.
Doctors can not always explain why one person gets cancer and another does not. Medical researchers are, however, learning about what happens inside cells that may cause cancer. They have identified changes in certain genes within breast cells that can be linked to a higher risk for breast cancer.
Genetic changes may be inherited from a parent or may accumulate throughout a person's lifetime. Breast cancer usually begins with a single cell that transforms from normal to malignant over a period of time. Presently, however, no one can predict exactly when cancer will occur or how it will progress.
Every woman has some chance of developing breast cancer during her lifetime. As women get older, those chances increase. Overall, a woman's chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer is 1 out of 8. Even though breast cancer is more common in older women, it also occurs in younger women and even in a small number of men (1,300 cases per year in the U.S.).
While there is yet no preventive to stop breast cancer, early detection is vital to surviving the disease. There are three things women can, and should do. Get an annual mammogram (special X-ray screening) after the age of 50; regular (yearly) breast examination by a doctor; and breast self-examination (BSE) at least once a month.
If breast cancer is detected, it is important to remember there is no single treatment that is "right" for all women. As with most medical conditions, there is no "one-size-fits-all" treatment or cure. And all breast cancers are not alike. Breast cancer is a complex disease. Once breast cancer has been found, more tests will be done to find the specific pattern of your particular cancer. This is an important step called staging.
Knowing the exact stage of your disease will help your doctor plan your course of treatment. Your doctor will want to know: the size of the tumor; if the cancer has spread within your breast; if cancer is present in your underarm lymph nodes; if cancer is present in other parts of your body.
There are many options available and you can always ask more than one doctor about your diagnosis and treatment plan. Your best start is to gain as much knowledge about the disease and the treatments as possible. Find answers to your questions and gain assistance in your fight against a terrifying enemy. Remember, there are no "dumb" questions when you are faced with cancer.
Most women who are treated for early breast cancer go on to live healthy, active, productive lives. The best chance of survival is early detection, so plan for mammograms, have yearly visits with your doctor, and use self-examination frequently. Best wishes for years of good health!
About The Author-- Adrien Brody is a business writer specializing in health and beauty products and has written authoritative articles on the industry. To learn more about breast enhancement, make sure you visit http://curvesenhancement.com
Three Basic Options Of Breast Cancer Treatment
The Journey of Breast Cancer
Originally uploaded by Social Butterfly Jewellery (SBJ) by Melissa Ingram
Breast cancer has been deemed as the most common type of cancer among women today. There are many documented cases of men experiencing this condition as well. Normally, this specific type of cancer is related to normal changes that occur within the breast of a female on a monthly basis. While these changes are normal, it is important to understand that the growth, or tumors, that can develop may prove to be cancerous. It is also important to remember that not all growths in the breast area are cancerous.
Cancerous growths that occur as a result of breast cancer can quickly spread to other locations throughout the body. This is why medical professionals stress the importance of conducting basic self-examinations of the breast on a monthly basis. If this disease is discovered in the early stages of development, there are a few basic treatment options available. If it is discovered in the later stages, there is still hope for successful treatment. Here, you will learn about these treatment options.
There are a few basic breast cancer treatment options. Before selecting a treatment for this condition, it is important for you to understand the ultimate goals behind them. The first goal, naturally, is to eliminate all traces of breast cancer in the body. The second is to ensure that the effective steps have been taken to reduce the possibility of the cancer returning. The determination of the treatment normally depends on the extent of the cancer, as well as the areas of the body that are affected.
Surgery is a common treatment option when it comes to breast cancer. Medical professionals will examine the type of cancer that is being experienced, as well as the progression of the disease before suggesting surgery. If a person is suffering from a growth in the breast area that is cancerous, they may need to participate in a surgery that works to save the breast. This type of breast cancer surgery results in the lump, growth, or 'cancer' to be extracted from the breast while the breast is kept in place.
Many individuals who experience breast cancer may have a large amount of cancerous cells in the breast itself. These cancerous cells may be so immense that they are starting to spread to other areas in the body. Many professionals who deal with this type of breast cancer will suggest a 'mastectomy'. This is a surgery that requires the entire breast to be removed from the body. This is normally performed in the advanced stages of breast cancer. However, if it is deemed as an appropriate procedure in the early stages of breast cancer, it will be done then too.
Many medical professionals have found that by providing a person who is infected with breast cancer various types of hormones, the cancer is stopped. This is a very productive treatment when it comes to preventing this type of cancer. As a matter of fact, if an individual has breast cancer surgery, most doctors will implement the treatment of hormone therapy in order to ensure that the cancer does not return. If you suffer from this type of cancer, it is important to discuss this option with your physician.
Radiation is also a common treatment for breast cancer patients. This is an important procedure for sufferers because of the fact that this treatment can effectively eliminate the amount of cells that are cancerous in the body. Many times, this procedure is most commonly used after an individual has had breast cancer surgery. This treatment will work to destroy any lingering breast cancer cells after surgery has been concluded.
As you can see, there are a number of treatment options available for those who experience breast cancer. If you suffer from this devastating disease, it is important that you learn as much as you possibly can about the condition.
You should work closely with your doctor to ensure that you experiment with a treatment that will be most effective for your specific needs when it comes to breast cancer. For individuals with this disease, there is a lot of hope. Most treatment methods are effective, and many will recover from the disease successfully.
About The Author-- Alex Olson is a professional journalist. Many of her articles are written about health issues. If you want to find out some information on cancer and breast cancer in particular, you can find it at in her articles.
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