Breast cancer

Is there a cure for breast cancer?

A question often arises; is breast cancer curable? A decade ago, the answer would have been in the negative, few years ago, the answer would have been an indefinite ‘maybe’. However, the advanced breast cancer research and treatment options in the current times have made a full recovery a possibility rather than an unheard of incident.

A number of factors can put a woman at risk of developing breast cancer. Early menarche (onset of menstruation), family history of breast cancer, previous case of breast cancer, no pregnancies or having the first child at a later age can considerably increase the risk.

Breast cancer is defined as the cancer arising in the breast tissue due to abnormal growth pattern in the cells. It was among the most feared diseases in the past mainly due to its mortality rates and drastic consequences. According to the National Cancer institute, there were 200,000 newly diagnosed cases and more than 40,000 deaths due to breast cancer in 2009, the majority occurring among the 50s age groups. About 1% of men can also develop breast cancer.

Breast cancer symptoms occur at a later stage when the disease has spread. These include changes in the texture of the skin, abnormalities in nipple and/or breast structure, pain, redness, etc. The most effective way to deal with breast cancer, or any cancer for that matter, is opting for an early screening, especially if someone is at risk. Various tests are available in order to verify and confirm the diagnosis. Mammogram is one such test that is commonly used. For more information on breast cancer, visit Cancercarevilla.blogspot.com.

Breast cancer: an overview

No cancer is more feared by women than breast cancer, and for good reason. It remains by far the most common cancer in women worldwide with an estimated 1.38 million new cases diagnosed in 2008 (23% of all cancers), and ranks second overall (10.9% of all cancers). Incidence rates vary from 19.3 per 100,000 women in Eastern Africa to 89.7 per 100,000 women in Western Europe, and are high (greater than 80 per 100,000) in developed regions of the world (except Japan) and low (less than 40 per 100,000) in most of the developing regions.

The range of mortality rates is much less (approximately 6-19 per 100,000). Due to this, this cancer ranks as the fifth cause of death from cancer overall, but it is still the most frequent cause of cancer related deaths in women in both developing and developed regions, where the estimated 189 000 deaths is now almost equal to the estimated number of deaths from lung cancer (188 000 deaths).

According to the definition of breast cancer, it is a malignant tumor developing from uncontrolled growth of cells in the breast. It occurs as a result of mutations, in the genes responsible for regulating cell growth.

Development of cancer in the breast can be linked to a number of risk factors that increase the likelihood. Age (increased risk after age 30 years), positive family history of breast cancer, menstrual history (early menarche, late menopause), pregnancy (null parity, late pregnancies) are some of the major factors while prolonged exposure to exogenous estrogens, oral contraceptives, ionizing radiations, obesity and high fat diet are less established factors, but exist nonetheless.

This cancer usually spreads through lymphatic and/or hematogenous channels and can involve almost any organ in the body. However the progress is slow, with metastases often appearing years after the initial diagnosis. Prognosis depends on tumor size, degree of metastasis, lymph node involvement, carcinoma grade, growth rate and abnormal DNA content (aneuploidy).

Diagnosis is established through a thorough medical history, clinical breast exam (CBE), breast self exam (BSE), imaging tests (including mammograms, MRIs, ultrasounds, ductograms and newer emerging scintimammography and tomosynthesis), biopsy and evaluation of the prognostic factors. An early diagnosis and prompt treatment can lead to a complete cure.

The management is mainly by surgery (mastectomy often followed by breast reconstruction surgery), in addition to or followed by chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiation. More information on treatment can be found on healthcarevilla.com.

Preventative measures include regular screening (mammography every 2-3 years for women aged 50 and above, self breast exams, genetic screening, ultrasound and MRI), maintaining a healthy weight, physical activity and breastfeeding by mothers. Prophylactic bilateral mastectomy may be considered in people with genetic mutations.

New breast cancer research and treatment strategies are currently being studied in order to make the management more efficient. Various awareness campaigns/programs are carried out worldwide in order to fight and lower the incidence. October is recognized as the awareness month by many governments and media. A pink ribbon universally symbolizes the awareness. Numerous charity organizations are involved in providing support and treatment, educating public and funding research. All working towards a common goal: a breast cancer free world.