It’s a disease that is every woman’s nightmare, particularly because the risk of getting it is higher than with males. Breast cancer is one of the more widespread kinds of cancer, and affects more than 200,000 women in the US.
Breast cancer 101
Usual symptoms of breast cancer are fluid excretions other than milk coming out from the nipple, nipple tenderness or lumps forming in the breast or underarm, and changes in shape, size, and appearance of nipple or breast (this can include changes in texture, or if a nipple suddenly becomes indented). Watch out for these symptoms especially if you have any of the risk factors, such as previous chest radiation treatments, benign breast lumps or excessive alcohol use. Be especially wary if cancer runs in your family.
Be constantly vigilant by performing self-exams on your breasts, scheduling check-ups with your doctor, and having annual mammograms (for ages 40 and up). Breast cancer is basically undetectable in its initial stages, so it’s better to be prepared.
Recent developments for breast cancer detection and treatments
As scientists and doctors come to understand the disease more, more developments in detection and treatment are also being released. For treatment, there’s mastectomy and breast conservation therapy (BCT). Mastectomy involves removing the whole breast and nipple, while BCT removes only the tumor and a margin of the surrounding tissues. Usually, after BCT comes radiation therapy so that all remaining cancer cells will be eliminated.
For detection, scientists have developed the usual mammography to digital mammography, giving sharper images for a more accurate diagnosis. There’s also computer-aided detection, ultrasound imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging. One more advanced detection technology scientists are looking into is molecular-based detection, which can gauge a person’s risk of having breast cancer through genetic and biological markers.
Breast cancer may have no cure yet, but scientists are surely on their way on helping alleviate the pain the big C’s victims are facing.
