Breast Cancer is No Longer a Death Sentence

It is true, you are no longer facing a death sentence. But unfortunately there is no way to avoid the shock, pain and fear when you discover that you have breast cancer. The first reaction is one of just being given a death sentence. But things are different today than they were even 20 years ago. Survival rates are continuing to improve especially with greater awareness and early detection. Treatment has also changed, improved with the advancements made in the last decade. For about 200,000 Americans that are diagnosed each with breast cancer, there are many reasons to be hopeful.

Early Detection is Key

The most important factor concerning breast cancer is early detection. A frightening fact is many times there are no symptoms. But sometimes an aware woman can discover a problem on her own, maybe in the form of a painless lump in the breast, or a noted change in size or shape of one of the breast. Sometimes there is a swelling in the armpit and/or nipple changes or discharge. Occasionally there may be some breast pain but this is typically not common.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer is Rare

Inflammatory breast cancer is one of the fast growing types of breast cancers. It does not give the customary distinct lump, instead the breast skin may appear thickened, red and pitted like an orange peel. It might also feel warm to the touch and a rash like appearance.

As stated the earliest detection of breast cancer is best for cure. Detection by mammogram can detect a tumor while it is too small to be felt with self-breast exam. It is recommended by the American Cancer Society that you should have a mammogram yearly beginning at age 40 for women of average risk.

Breast Self-Exams

In the past it was highly recommended that women do self-breast examinations monthly. However, studies show that seems unnecessary as they play a small part in actually finding breast lumps that would indicate cancer. Today's thinking is it is more important to know your breast and notice any changes. Of course, doing self-breast exams is a personal choice and you should check with your physician as to proper technique.

Finding a Lump Does Not Mean Panic!

A whopping 80% of palpated lumps are NOT cancerous. They are usually cysts or just the normal changes that occur with the menstrual cycle. Nonetheless, you should always have them checked out. Let your physician know. They can then order the appropriate testing. Remember early detection is key. If it is cancer, then you have caught it early, if it is not you now have peace of mind.

Different types of breast cancer can be identified. Some breast cancers are fueled by the hormones estrogen and progesterone. About two of every three cancers are hormone sensitive. Medications can be prescribed that keep the hormones from promoting further cancer growth. In about 20% of the diagnosed breast cancer patients there are cells that have too many receptors for HER2, a protein that tends to spread faster than other forms of breast cancer. This is very important to detect early due to the special treatments for this type of cancer.

Cancer Staging Helps the Health Care Team to Determine Treatment Strategy

After the diagnosis has been made of breast cancer, it must be determined how advanced the cancer is, how far it has spread and what stage it is. Doctors use Stages 0-4. This staging describes whether the cancer is localized to the breast, or has invaded nearby lymph nodes or worse has spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs. The staging is important because the health team can now formulate a treatment strategy.

That treatment can include surgical removal of the breast or just the lump. Radiation therapy and Chemo-therapy. Also hormone therapy for the estrogen or HER2 type tumors.

Breast Cancer Survival Rates

Survival is strongly linked to early detection. This cannot be stressed enough. An encouraging statistic of the American Cancer Society is 100% of women with stage 1 breast cancer live at least five years, compared to women without cancer! And many of these women live the rest of their lives cancer free! The more advanced the caner is the chances of survival worsen. By stage 4, the five-year relative survival rate declines to 20%. However it is definitely not hopeless because of the advancements in effective treatments. The only thing guaranteed is you will die of breast cancer is nothing is done. No detection, no treatment, no action at all taken.

Risk Factors in Your Control

There are some factors in your control to prevent cancer. Get our weight into optimal control and get some exercise. Drinking more than one alcoholic beverage a day raises the risk of breast cancer. Birth control pills and some forms of hormone replacement therapy after menopause increases risk. Fortunately after these therapies are stopped the risk goes back to normal. And life style and diet choices have an effect on limiting your chances of cancer.

Women are strong and can stay in control and they should!

So take control of your life and do what you can to prevent this life changing diagnosis from happening. But if it does occur, remain in control and take the necessary action to keep your life your own. Women are now empowered to stay in control of their lives. We are strong.

Source:

WebMD