Breast Cancer
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells that can occur in any organ. The cells of that particular organ multiply rapidly, without any coordination. Cancer that arises from the breast is known as breast cancer. If not treated at earlier stages, it can spread to other parts of the body in the form of metastases.
What Are The Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
At initial stages, cancer may not show any symptoms. Breast cancer can be detected much earlier by a mammogram than a self-breast examination. Therefore, it is essential to attend your preventive care appointments on time, as they lead to early detection of certain health conditions, which makes it easier to treat. The signs and symptoms of breast cancer are as follows:
- A lump in the breast that has developed recently
- Changes in the skin of the breast
- Nipple inversion
- Discharge other than milk from the nipple
- Bloody discharge from the nipple
- Change in sizes of both the breasts
- Finding a lump in the underarm
- Flacking or puckering of breast skin
- Breast pain
However, these symptoms do not confirm the diagnosis of breast cancer. You may have breast pain due to hormonal changes, or you may feel a lump in your breast due to any benign cyst.
What Are The Stages of Breast Cancer?
Your healthcare provider would stage your breast cancer according to its spread. It has a total of five stages. The first stage is known as stage 0, and the last one is known as stage 4.
Stage O
In this stage, cancer does not spread to anywhere else. Instead, it remains confined to ducts of the breast only.
Stage 1
In this stage, cancer reaches near the lymph nodes. It is classified as stage 1A and stage 1B according to its spread.
Stage 2
In this stage, cancer reaches to lymph nodes or increases in size up to 5cm. This stage is also further classified as stage 2A and 2B.
Stage 3
In this stage, cancer spreads to axillary lymph nodes, collar bones, or mammary lymph nodes, or increases in size. Stage 3 is classified as stage 3A, 3B, and 3C.
Stage 4
It is the most advanced stage of cancer, in which it spreads to lymph nodes, as well as distant organs like lungs or liver.
What Are The Diagnostic Tests For Breast Cancer?
Your health care provider may perform the following tests for the diagnostic purposes of breast cancer.
- Breast exam
- Physical exam
- Mammogram
- Ultrasound
- Breast biopsy
To confirm the diagnosis of breast cancer, healthcare providers perform a breast biopsy. In this procedure, the doctor will take tissue from your breast and will examine it under the microscope. The microscopic examination gives them an insight into the proliferative pattern of the cells. For getting a biopsy done, you must visit the best doctors in Pakistan.
What Are The Treatment Options For Breast Cancer?
The treatment options for breast cancer are as follows.
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
For getting a surgery done, visit the best breast cancer surgeon in Lahore.
What Are The Risk Factors Associated With Breast Cancer?
The most common risk factors of breast cancer are as follows.
- Increasing age
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Gene mutation
- Menstruation that starts before 12 years of age
- Taking hormone therapy
- Having dense breast tissue
- Having a family history of breast cancer
- Giving birth to a child after the age of 35
- Not having a history of a full-term pregnancy
- Getting menopause after the age of 55
- Not getting pregnant
- Not breastfeeding your child
Conclusion
Breast cancer is a treatable condition if it is detected early. Also, do not panic if you are at risk of having it. What you must do is, get your screening test done on time. Being at risk does not mean that you will get it for sure. Therefore, keep yourself calm, and follow a healthy lifestyle. Cut down excessive alcohol consumption and quit smoking. Moreover, incorporate exercise in your daily routine and maintain a healthy weight. If you feel any lump in your breast, visit the best general physician in Lahore.
