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Overview for Dietary and Lifestyle or Treatment info
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Breast cancer arises when the division of cells continues to multiply
out of control so that a tumour develops. One of the first potential
signs of breast cancer is usually a lump on the breast. Other indications
include swelling in a certain part of the breast, dimpling or skin
rash and a discharge other than breast milk.
Over 70 percent of breast cancer cases occur in women with no identifiable
risk factors.Thirteen and a half thousand women die from breast cancer
in the UK each year. But the 5 year survival rate for all women diagnosed
with breast cancer is 85%. If the cancer was confined to the breast,
the rate is 95%.
How do you become aware, that you might have a cancer of the breast?
The most usual finding, is the discovery of a lump in this situation.
It is unusual to find it painful to touch. Dependent upon where it
is developing, you may be aware of skin puckering. The nipple may
be retracted inwards or there may be a discharge from the nipple.
It does not follow that having discovered a lump in one breast, that
another has developed in the other.
The most important step to take on discovery, is to make an urgent
request to see your doctor. Do not delay. Ask for the earliest appointment.
If your findings are not proven, the second happiest person will be
your doctor.
It will be of some comfort to you to know, that the lump may not prove
to be malignant. Many turn out to be benign i.e. they are not cancerous;
but they will have to be removed to determine their character, as
even benign lumps can change their character if left in place. Some
turn out to be 'Fibro adenomas', usually found in teenagers and younger
women. When pulpated, they are smooth and rubbery, but should be removed
as a very small proportion can undergo change.
Cysts
Cysts are common; they can be single or multiple. The examining surgeon
may introduce a needle to aspirate cells for examination. These cysts
are invariably removed. Malignant lumps are formal from malignant
cells which are released in the blood and lymphatic systems to spread
to other organs such as the liver or lungs. The lymphatic system,
containing a clear fluid derived from the blood, is concerned with
the body's role in protection against bacterial invasion. By this
route, lymph nodes can be infected and, in the specific case of the
breast, the nodes under the armpits can be involved.
There are a number of risk factors to consider and its presence will
add considerable weight to a presumptive diagnosis of malignancy.
These are:
- If you are in the older age group
- If there is a history in your family of a near relative having
had breast cancer. There is evidence of specific gene mutation,
which is thought to be implicated. There is a considerable probability
that this field will yield important data in the near future
- If your first period came at an early age
- If you have not given birth or, if you did have a chills, he/she
arrived later in life (over 30 years)
- Generally speaking if your life style has involved taking an
unsatisfactory diet that includes regular alcohol
- Overweight. In this respect, obesity affects the breasts and
self palpation may not reveal a lump as early as those who are of
slim build. This gives more emphasis that a self examination should
be started early and continue regularly
- If you are on Hormone Replacement Therapy it appears that there
is a 40% chance of a change in the character of breast cells taking
place but this possibility is much lower if the medication is terminated
within 5 years.
[A definite dietary link has recently been established in regard
to breast cancer].
The Next Step
If you have now confirmed to your own satisfaction that a lump is
almost certainly present, or definitely present, your next move is
to consult your doctor. If his view coincides with yours, he will
then proceed to urgent referral to a surgical colleague, preferably
someone who is experienced in this field. What follows is a stage
of planned investigation. You will, of course, be examined again.
The lump will be defined as to location and a mammogram (an X-ray)
of the area will be carried out.
This type of examination detects cancer at an early stage, even before
a lump has become palpable and that is why it is an important tool
in regular screening programmes. These programmes usually are offered
to women in their 40th year or those under that age who have a family
history of breast cancer.
N.B. In some countries Breast Self Examination is referred to as
BSE, an unfortunate connotation particularly to the peoples of Europe.
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