BREAST CANCER- A SERIAL KILLER

           Cancer can be sympathy gaining if it has affected any of the people we know. But it can be devastating if we or our closed ones are affected. Obviously, only reading will not prevent the occurrence but it will surely help in early detection and treatment.

Breast Cancer:

          Breast cancer is basically abnormal growth of breast tissues/cells. Having someone in our close relations or we ourselves getting affected with cancer can be horrifying and stressful, too. But it can he manageable if the causes are known and right symptoms are identified in time.

Causes:

          There is only one main cause of any type of cancer is the mutation. There can be other contributing or risk factors that may increases the chances of cancer.

Mutation in BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes:

These two are the genes that are responsible for production of cancerous cells. These are usually kept in control by our body but due to mutation (changes), these genes become dominant and lead to increase in the number of breast cell (hyperplasia).

Hereditary factors:

If there is family history of cancer, specifically breast cancer, there are chances of you having cancer.

No pregnancy:

The female who is not able to conceive a baby (nulliparous sterile women) is always at a high risk of breast cancer.

Previous history of cancer:

When a person has previous history of cancer, there are chances of it relapsing due to the spread of infection (metastasis).

Lifestyle factor:

Due to adaption of many ill habits just for the sake of modernization i.e. alcohol consumption, cigarettes' smoking, drug consumption, etc. there are high chances of mutation in the genes.

Symptoms:

Symptoms may vary from person to person regarding the perception of pain, but there are few warning signs that can be seen in a person suffering from breast cancer:

• New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
• Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
• Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
• Pain in any area of the breast.

Types:

Breast cancer is not only a single dimensional disease, it has different types to it.

        A. Non-invasive breast cancer:

These are the ones which are only limited to a particular area, mostly milk duct of the breast. These are usually referred as "carcinoma in situ" It includes:

Ductal carcinoma in situ.

Lobar carcinoma in situ.

     B.  Invasive breast cancer:

In this, the infection spreads out from the lobes and ducts to the surrounding breast tissues. It include:

Invasive ductal carcinoma

Invasive lobular carcinoma

Paget’s disease of the nipple

Inflammatory breast cancer

Phyllodes tumors of the breast

Locally advanced breast cancer

Metastatic breast cancer

Stages of Breast Cancer:

Breast Self Examination (BSE):

            As I said in the start itself, only way to get away with breast cancer is through early detection. Breast self examination or BSE is an essential part of detection as our body should be checked by us first and then, if any abnormality seen, it should be reported to physician.

These steps should be repeated once in a month.

For women who has timely menstrual cycle, it should be done 7 days after menses every month.

For men, menopausal women and women those have irregular menses , it should be done on any one selected of the month.

Treatment:

There are three treatment modalities used for treating any cancer:

1. Chemotherapy.
2. Radiation therapy.
3. Surgery.

These therapies are used in combination to treat.

But here we need to talk about the stigma of surgery.

Usually MASTECTOMY is done.

It is removal of breast tissue or complete breast to treat cancer and to prevent it from spreading.

The women usually have disturbed body image due to removal of breast.

To prevent this stigma there are various BREAST CONSERVATION SURGERIES (BCS) that are done.

These surgeries include:

• Lumpectomy.
• Quadrectomy.
• Breast implant.
• Fat grafting.
• Flap procedure
• Oncoplastic surgery:
• Areola reconstruction
• Nipple reconstruction
• Metallic Breast

These surgeries may sound highly complicated to one and they may think that the chances of success of this surgeries are low but there are people who have done this surgery and also have survived with it. To take the example of actress LISA RAY.

Here's an article by her, that shows how cancer has affected her life

https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/lisa-ray-cancer-has-redefined-my-life-but-i-am-still-processing-that-on-some-level-1639878-2020-01-24  

Institutions for BCS:

By names itself, the surgeries may feel expensive, but there are institutions where these services are available at lower or free of cost.

One such hospital in Mumbai is TATA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, PAREL.

Partner Counselling:

Having breast cancer is not only disturbing for the individual affected but also to the close ones, especially spouse/partner. 

This sudden change in life is mostly shared by the spouse majorly and it is important for them to be mentally strong. 

This can be done by the physician at the time of informing about diagnosis and also professional counselling can be done.

Prevention:

Best way to avoid this stress and stigma of breast cancer is by doing the things that can prevent it. It includes:

• Weight management.
• Exercise.
• Eat healthy.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking.
• Nursing mother? Breastfeed!
• Avoid hormonal therapy.
• Screening.