It is not easy to face the truth with a brave heart especially when you heard something unexpected like having breast cancer. This type of cancer is the most common in women and it is at second rank in causing death.
Breast cancer is a slow killer as in the beginning it does not show any symptoms but later on you start to experience symptoms when it has reach to its lat stage. For the treatment of breast cancer it is necessary to keep a track of any unusual change in your body specially breasts. Early detection of breast cancer can save your life as well as the chances of surgery also reduce. Breast cancer is the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of the cells of the breast. It can be spread to other organs causing damage to them thus it is fatal. Early detection is very important in treatment and prevention of breast cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is divided into two parts –
invasive breast cancer or non invasive breast cancer. Though the symptoms are common but cannot be seen during the initial stages. Therefore it is necessary to go for a regular check up to keep a track of unusual changes in body if you are over 40. The primary and well known symptom is a lump in the breast area which is different from surrounding tissues. Almost 90% women find out this symptom on their own. The lumps found in lymph node situated in the armpits or collarbone also shows presence of breast cancer. Some women complain about pain and relate it with breast cancer but you should know that pain in breast cancer can also because of some other diseases. Apart from presence of lump in the breast and the surrounding area, other symptoms include discharge from breast other than milk, change in breast size or shape, skin dimpling and inverted nipples. Though any symptom does not give rise to breast cancer but care should be taken when you notice such symptoms.
Methods of Detection
Early detection of invasive breast cancer is necessary to get treatment on time. There are various techniques available to detect breast cancer. Amongst them, mammogram is commonly used technique for the detection. Mammograms detect breast cancer tumors in early stages because of which treatment is possible and there is considerable reduction in the death rate cause due to breast cancer. Mammogram is just x-ray photograph of your breast. The breast tissues compress between toe plates and x-ray is taken. By observing the x-ray photograph, the doctor will conclude about the situation. However there is chance of get in contact with the radiations used to take a mammogram. However the amount of radiation used to take a mammogram is relatively small. Apart from this, digital mammogram is also in use to detect breast cancer. This similar to mammogram and only difference is the picture appears on the computer screen.
Treatment
As I said earlier, early detection leads to early start of treatment. The treatment of breast cancer usually depends on the type of breast cancer and whether it is spread to other body parts or not. The treatment options include oral medications and in advanced stage of breast cancer surgery followed by chemotherapy is done. The common medication use in the treatment is
Generic Nolvadex. Chemically it is made up of tamoxifen. This belongs to a class of medicine known as anti-estrogen. Generic Nolvadex is use to treat invasive breast cancer. Apart from medicines, when the breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body. The surgical treatments include mastectomy (complete removal of the breast) or breast conserving therapy. Even if your doctor suggests complete removal of breast then also you can get a naturally looking breast with the help of reconstruction method. Breast conservation surgery involves removal of part of breast which is infected. After surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy is given to kill any remaining cancer cells.
