Breast cancer

More and more women are being diagnosed with breast cancer. Awareness and early detection are important. People have a lot of questions and concerns that they want to share with their physician. Sometimes they forget or are afraid to ask. Here are answers to some basic questions and concerns that most people have.

What are the common symptoms of breast cancer?

Any lump in the breast swelling, redness, tenderness or pain in the breast enlarged lymph nodes; discharge from the nipple. Consult your doctor immediately if you notice any of these problems.

Must the breast be removed?

Due to the disfigurement that occurs from a mastectomy, this is a real fear and a cause for concern. While the final decision lies with the treating physician, remember that lumpectomy, radiation or mastectomy offer equal survival rates and the physician will be able to decide what is the best based on the individual patient.

What is the best treatment for breast cancer?

Experts agree that traditional treatments like lumpectomy, radiation or mastectomy give patients and equal chance of survival . Lumpectomies avoid the disfigurement that comes with mastectomies. The doctor recommends the treatment that best suits each individual case. This may be followed by chemotherapy or hormonal agents.

What’s this lump in my breast and should I be worried?

If you are regular with your monthly breast examinations, a lump will not take you by surprise and its not necessarily a cause for alarm.

Eighty per cent of lumps are non-cancerous. Having said that , to be absolutely safe and to ensure that you are not in the 20 percentage range, your safest option would be to consult your doctor immediately, as he may want to perform a breast biopsy.

My mother, my sister and my aunt are all breast cancer survivors what are the chances I will get it too?

Typically one in ten women inherits the abnormal gene for breast cancer. It is always best to talk to your doctor about any abnormalities.

What is chemotherapy?

Chemical substances are used in the treatment of cancer. These are administered wither through the veins or as tablets. This is known as chemotherapy.

What are the guidelines for Mammograms?

The American Cancer society guidelines for Mammograms are “ yearly mammograms starting at afe 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.”

Experts from Fred Hutchinson cancer Research Center and its clinical care partner, the Seattle cancer care alliance offer the following tips for cancer screening and early detection.

If you are over 40, get a mammogram done. Early detection of breast cancer offers the best chance of cure.

Where you go matters, choose a mammography expert. Many studies show that doctors who specialize in mammography are more accurate at interpreting the images compared to physicians with less experience. Get your mammogram read by a doctor who specializes in reading them.

Go digital. Centers that specialize in digital mammography are the best for women with dense breast tissues and for women aged below 50. Digital scans can do a better job of detecting cancer in these women than traditional film mammography.

Don’t put off screening because of discomfort. A mammogram should never be painful. Fear that the exam will be uncomfortable is one reason women put off scheduling a mammogram. To reduce discomfort try to schedule mammogram after monthly period when breast tissue is less sensitive. You may benefit by taking an over –the counter an inflammatory such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen before the mammogram. Above all, tell the mammography technologist about any discomfort you may be experiencing. They can work with you to make the experience more comfortable Don’t put off screening because of fear. Most abnormalities found after a mammogram are not cancer. However, in some cases, you may be called back for more tests such as additional mammography or ultrasound screening, to confirm that the area on screening mammogram is normal. That’s why you may be asked to return for a follow-up exam.

Consider getting results while you wait. Particularly for your first mammogram, you may want to schedule your exam so you receive your results before you leave the imaging center.

Know how your breasts feel normally. Your doctor can show you how to do breast self-exam. If you notice a change in your breasts, such as a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, talk to your doctor.

In addition to mammography, have a regular breast exam by your doctor. The American cancer society recommends that women 40 and over should receive annual clinical breast exams. Women in their 20s and 30s should have clinical breast exam as part of a periodic health exam by a doctor at least every three years.

Know your risk. If you have family members who have had breast cancer, especially your mother of sister, and if they had cancer before reaching menopause, Tell your doctor as your risk is higher. Some women at high risk may be recommended to a screening mammogram.

Try an online risk calculator. The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool, designed by the National Cancer Institute is a questionnaire to help women determine their chances of developing invasive breast cancer.