BREAST cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the breast tissue. It is one of the most common types of cancer that’s affects women, but men can also develop it.
Breast cancer occurs when the cells in the breast tissue start growing uncontrollably and form a tumor. If left untreated, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of breast cancer may include:
• A lump or thickening in the breast,
• A change in size or shape of the breast,
• Nipple discharge, or a change in the skin over the breast.
However, many cases of breast cancer are asymptomatic, which is why regular mammograms and breast exams are recommended for women.
There are different types of breast cancer, including ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, inflammatory breast cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer.
The treatment for breast cancer depends on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health. The most common treatment options for breast cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy.
Surgery is usually the first line of treatment and involves removing the tumor and surrounding tissue. Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells, while hormone therapy blocks the hormones that fuel certain types of breast cancer.
Targeted therapy uses drugs that target specific genes or proteins that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. Breast cancer is a complex disease that can be influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, lifestyles and environmental factors.
Some risk factors for breast cancer include being a woman, getting older, having a family history of breast cancer, having certain genetic mutations, having dense breast tissue.
Prevention and early detection is crucial in the fight against breast cancer. Women should perform regular breast self-exam and undergo regular mammograms and clinical breast exams as recommended by their healthcare provider. Lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol consumption, may also help reduce the risk of breast cancer.
A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray procedure that is used to detect abnormalities in the breast. It is primarily used for the early detection of breast cancer, as it can identify small tumors that may not be palpable during a physical examination. This imaging test has been an essential tool in the fight against breast cancer for several decades and is recommended by healthcare professionals for women over the age of 40.
The benefits of mammography cannot be overstated. Early detection of breast cancer can significantly increase the chances of successful treatment and recovery.
When breast cancer is detected early, there are more treatment options available, and the survival rate is much higher. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is found and treated before it has spread beyond the breast, the five-year relative survival rate is nearly 100 per cent.
Mammograms are also beneficial because they can detect breast cancer before any pain or other symptoms, which is why regular mammograms are so important.
Mammography can detect small tumors that are too small to be felt during a physical examination. Which means that cancer can be detected earlier, when it is most treatable.
There is a need for mammography because breast cancer is a prevalent and serious disease that affects millions of women worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and the most common cancer overall.
In the United States, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Early detection through regular mammograms is critical for reducing mortality rates from this disease.
The American Cancer Society recommends that women at average risk for breast cancer should start getting annual mammograms at age 45.
However, women at higher risk, such as those with a family history of breast cancer, may need to start screening earlier and/or
have more frequent talk to their healthcare provider about their individual risk factors and when they should begin screening.
In conclusion, mammography is a vital tool in the early detection of breast cancer. The benefits of regular mammograms
include early detection, a greater variety of treatment options, and a higher survival rate. Women should talk to their healthcare
provider about when to start getting mammograms and how often to get them, based on their individual risk factors.
By getting regular mammograms, women can take an important step in protecting their health and detecting breast cancer. Not
only that, here at Oceania Hospitals we care for our patients and provide such services which our Customers can take advantage of and get early diagnosis.
- FARZANA MURTHY is the team leader radiology at Oceania Hospitals Pte Ltd. The views expressed are the author’s and do not reflect the views of this newspaper.
