Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common type of invasive cancer, according to modern medicine. Until the 19th century, cancer was rare, despite the fact that the disease has been known since ancient times; due to the increase in life expectancy due to improved sanitary conditions, control of dangerous infectious diseases, cancer cases have become much more frequent. In the 20th century, after the 70s, the number of cases reached 22.9% of cases. Scientists associate rapidly progressing breast cancer with unfavorable environmental conditions, numerous abortions, improper oral contraception, etc. The disease is observed in humans and in other mammals; women are more likely to suffer from breast cancer, but men also have breast cancer.
The content of the article:
Classification by stages of breast cancer
Causes and predisposing factors of breast cancer
Symptoms of breast cancer
Diagnosis of breast cancer
Complications of breast cancer
Breast Cancer Treatment
Prevention of breast cancer
Breast cancer
In essence, breast cancer is a malignant fast-growing neoplasm, which even at the initial stage can metastasize to the tissues of other organs. Modern medicine has studied oncology well enough, but breast cancer is dangerous because it is not always easy to diagnose, symptoms may appear only in the last stages.
Classification by stages of breast cancer
The method of treatment and prognosis for a woman’s life depends on the diagnosis of the stage of breast cancer. Grade 1 cancer is successfully treated, nodular neoplasm is no more than 20 mm, there are no metastases. Grade 2 is characterized by the presence of a tumor up to 50 mm, the penetration of metastases into the regional axillary lymph nodes; if the cancer is detected in a timely manner, treatment is started on time — the prognosis is favorable. Stage 3 is life-threatening due to the number of metastases to internal organs and bones, the size of the neoplasm exceeds 50 mm. Stage 4 is characterized by general exhaustion, cachexia, decreased immunity, penetration of metastases into all organs and systems. In this condition, no more than 10% of patients survive.
The diagnosis of “stage 3 cancer” is automatically made to patients with pseudoinflammatory, diffuse or shell-like form of oncology.
Causes and predisposing factors of breast cancer
The mammary gland of a woman reacts very sensitively to any changes: stressful situations, heavy physical exertion, diets, psychoemotional situations, hormonal disorders do not add to her health. Only the hormonal background changes slightly, and the lesions, although benign, have already appeared. This brings an additional portion of excitement, discomfort, feelings of inferiority into a woman’s life and lays fertile ground for the appearance of malignant formations.
It is impossible to say with certainty what was the root cause of the degeneration of a normal cell into a mutated one, but heredity plays an important role — about 5% of diseases are common in women who are closely related. Women aged 40-65 years are in the most vulnerable position, then the number of diseases goes down. Among the additional reasons, it is worth highlighting breast injuries, mastitis and previously transferred cancer in one gland, early puberty (up to 12 years), the first late childbirth, late menopause. Abortions, a short time of breastfeeding or even its absence, a small number of births, irregular sexual life, chronic diseases of the appendages, malfunction of the thyroid gland, liver and ovaries — these factors can provoke the development of this pathology. Living in a megalopolis, polluted environment, poor-quality water, lack of vitamin D, exposure to ionizing radiation and electromagnetic fields, too bright light, sedentary lifestyle negatively affects the condition and health of the mammary glands. Any of the factors can provoke the inflammatory process of the breast, and their combination greatly increases the likelihood of pathological processes.
Symptoms of breast cancer
Breast cancer is a very insidious disease, its symptoms can appear only in the later stages. With an independent systematic examination, the first manifestations can be detected in the form of a nodule with a dense surface, ranging in size from 5 to 150 mm. The symptoms depend on the form of oncology. For example, nodular and fibromatous forms are characterized by tissue compaction, with a diameter of up to 50 mm. Most often, this dense lump is localized in the armpit. The initial diagnosis — regional axillary lymphadenitis is an indication for the diagnosis of oncological pathology. In the later stages of latent nodular breast cancer, external symptoms are more pronounced: the skin color changes over the affected area, swelling and hyperemia appear in the form of “goose bumps”, retracted foci may form in the center of the affected areas, one breast increases dramatically asymmetrically. Various organs and systems are affected by metastases, the arm on the affected side swells, becomes numb, and the shoulder joint hurts a lot when moving.
The diffuse form is the most difficult to diagnose, as it proceeds very rapidly and has symptoms of erysipelas, gangrene or purulent mastitis. The temperature jumps sharply to 39-40 degrees Celsius, the patient is worried about muscle pain, weakness, swelling and hyperemia of one breast, purulent discharge with blood may appear from the nipples. These symptoms can mislead the doctor, which will lead to an incorrect diagnosis, loss of time and death of the patient.
The shell form of oncology is characterized by diffuse neoplasms that cover the entire breast with a dense crust, rapidly tighten and reduce it.
Diagnosis of breast cancer
A woman herself can not miss invaluable time and timely detect any changes in the mammary glands. Self-examination should be carried out after menstruation. Standing in front of a mirror, it is necessary to examine the breast for symmetry, for the absence of pits, bumps, rashes, redness. Next, by palpation, check the breast for the absence of seals, bumps, discharge from the nipple. It is impossible to delay if at least one symptom is detected. If cancer is suspected, it is necessary to be examined by an oncologist. Mammography is a mandatory diagnostic method. It allows ultra-precise examination of glandular tissue. To obtain additional data, the breast ultrasound technique is used. If there are signs of malignancy, a puncture of cell sampling is performed for histological examination. At an early stage, tests for cancer markers are carried out, which confirm the mutation of genes.
Breast cancer can also be diagnosed in a pregnant woman. Diagnosis is difficult, since symptoms can be associated with discomfort in pregnant women. Breast cancer treatment is used as usual, as for non-pregnant women, but radiation radiation is avoided. Abortion should not be done, it will not increase the likelihood of a cure.
In the future, after diagnosis, all groups of lymph nodes, liver, kidneys, genitals, intestines, pancreas are diagnosed; blood tests, fluorography, FGDS are examined.
Complications of breast cancer
Breast cancer is insidious with its secrecy, weak symptomatology, rapid development and metastasis to organs and systems. With the flow of lymph, cancer spreads to the second breast, metastases penetrate into the lungs, bones, and brain. There is a necrotic disintegration of the tumor, metastases in the organs lead to the death of the patient.
Breast Cancer Treatment
Breast cancer is removed surgically in combination with various types of optimal treatment. Depending on the degree of lesion and the size of the tumor, the choice of surgery takes place. If earlier, when a malignant pathology was detected in a woman, the entire breast was completely removed, now they are trying to preserve the pectoral muscles, if they are not damaged by the oncological process.
In the early stages of the disease, if the tumor is small, a partial mastectomy is performed in combination with radiotherapy, which gives a favorable prognosis for the full recovery of the patient. To reduce the likelihood of relapse, lymph nodes are removed. After that, they are examined for the presence of cancer cells. If metastases are detected, patients are prescribed a course of radiation therapy, in cases where there is a risk of cancer cells entering the bloodstream, chemotherapeutic treatment is additionally prescribed. To prevent the occurrence of relapses, hormone-dependent cancer is blocked for a long time with hormone therapy.
After surgery and the use of radiation, chemical and radiological methods, a long period of rehabilitation follows to restore the immune system and prevent relapses. At the request of a woman, prosthetics can be performed. After the operation for 10-15 years, the patient must be registered at the oncologist’s dispensary, undergo mammography of a healthy breast every year.
At stage 4 of breast cancer, surgical intervention is impractical, treatment is reduced to anesthesia and providing proper care for a patient who is dying.
Prevention of breast cancer
Breast cancer prevention begins with a monthly self-examination. It is necessary to write in a diary all changes in the mammary glands, lymph nodes; any peeling of the skin, dimples on the chest, a retracted nipple, discharge from it should alert a woman so as not to miss the onset of the disease. The primary symptoms of breast cancer are so insignificant that women do not even pay attention to them, they tend to drive away thoughts about the occurrence of oncology. At the slightest doubt, it is necessary to urgently contact an oncologist, gynecologist or surgeon.
Specific methods of breast cancer prevention include correction of hormonal disorders during menopause. If mastopathy or other benign changes are detected, it may be more expedient to remove them.
Cancer and bad habits are incompatible, since smoking (especially early or intense) and alcohol have a toxic effect on the female body, provoke hormonal disorders. It is necessary to exclude to a minimum a woman’s stay in the sun, a visit to the solarium.
It must be remembered that carcinogenic substances, stress, breast injuries, abortions also do not add to a woman’s health. Irregular sexual contacts, short-term breastfeeding, pathological changes in the genitals contribute to the development of cancer.
A natural method of cancer prevention is a full rest, at least 8 hours a day. After all, the production of the hormone melatonin during sleep has a beneficial effect on the fight against cancer cells.
Patients faced with a malignant breast tumor should adhere to a proper diet. It is necessary to limit the consumption of meat, fats, sweets, completely exclude alcohol, spicy, fried, salted, smoked products, add more vegetables, cereals, sea fish and seafood, low-fat dairy and fermented milk products to the diet. It is recommended to drink more liquids, preferring good quality water and special herbal preparations.
Women with breast cancer experience their illness in different ways. Not to lose heart, to feel the sincere support of loved ones, to believe and hope for recovery is the main weapon against this insidious disease. We must not forget that cancer is not a sentence, it is being treated.
