Breast Cancer in Women
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, and is also the leading cause of cancer deaths, especially among women age 40 to 59 (Komen). This type of cancer accounts for one of every three cancer diagnoses in women (Komen). A tutorial on The Komen Foundation’s website has also said that this year, approximately 216,000 cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women, while over 40,000 women will die from breast cancer.
The cause of breast cancer is still unknown. The greatest risk factor, according to the Mayo Clinic’s website, is being a woman. And, even if a woman has no family history of breast cancer, she may still get the disease. In fact, according to the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization, more than 70 percent of all women with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
These are reasons why breast cancer is such an important issue for women to learn about. Because of these grim facts, it is vital that a woman know her risk factors, signs and symptoms of the disease and how to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. It is also extremely important for breast cancer patients to know what treatment options are available to them, how to talk to others about the disease and how to cope with breast cancer from day to day. Because I am a woman myself, and know breast cancer survivors and patients, I thought it crucial to educate not only myself, but others as well.
While the cause of breast cancer is still unknown, it is clear that breast cancer results from the out-of-control replication of abnormal cells that form a lump, called a tumor. Although breast cancer can strike a woman even if she has no family history of the disease, having a mother, sister or daughter with the disease can double a woman’s risk of breast cancer (American Cancer Society). Older women also must know that their risk is greater. The ACS website says that 8 of every 10 breast cancers are found in women over 50, and that if women have experienced menopause after the age of 50, their risk is slightly increased. This website also says that while caucasian women are at greater risk of developing breast cancer, African-Americans with the disease are more likely to die from it.
Other factors the ACS says have a positive relationship with breast cancer risk include: having a previous experience with breast cancer, beginning menstrual periods before the age of 12, and not having children or having the first child after the age of 30. On the other hand, breast-feeding, limiting alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy weight decrease the risk. Knowledge of risk factors can translate into early detection and survival.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer may help save a woman’s life, according to the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic also says that while most breast lumps are not cancerous, a breast lump is also the most common sign of breast cancer. Other symptoms of breast cancer can include: a clear or bloody discharge from the nipple, retraction or indentation of the nipple, a change in the size or contours of the breast, a flattening or indentation of the skin over the breast, or redness or pitting of the skin over the breast (Mayo Clinic).
Early detection is important. Therefore, a woman should visit her doctor regularly and have a routine mammogram. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breasts and can show many cancers before they are felt (Y-Me). A mammogram can help save a woman’s life because it finds a cancerous lump when it is small, and curing the cancer becomes easier (FDA). The FDA also says annual mammograms are recommended for women over the age of 40 and for younger women who have a history of breast cancer or who are at high risk. In addition, all women should perform monthly breast self-exams. The Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization and the FDA report Mammograms and Breast Cancer offer helpful tips on how to perform one.
If a cancerous lump is detected, it is important for a woman to know her treatment options. If the cancer is confined to the breast and lymph nodes under the arm (Stage I, II and IIIA breast cancer), the cancer.gov website suggests treatment options such as breast conserving surgery to remove only the cancer and some surrounding breast tissue, and modified radical mastectomy to remove the breast, lymph nodes and tissue covering the chest muscles. A journal article titled Breast Conservation Surgery: surgical and adjuvant considerations has said that there is little difference in survival rates between women who have undergone breast conserving surgery and those who have had a mastectomy (2). Early detection, the article says, has been correlated with an increase in BCS and decrease in mastectomy rates. Also, for women with metastatic breast cancer (meaning the cancer has spread to other places in the body), there is evidence that monochemotherapy (in which only one drug is used) is a valid option (Biganzoli 4).
It is crucial for a woman to understand how to cope with breast cancer, and learning how to talk about the disease is important. The Y-Me Organization suggests being open and honest and telling others when you just need someone to listen. Also, a woman must not assume that others know what she needs. A Y-Me publication also suggests taking time to talk with a spouse and children about the disease as well as taking time to be alone with thoughts (Green Bananas 6)
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, and is also the leading cause of cancer deaths, especially among women age 40 to 59 (Komen). This type of cancer accounts for one of every three cancer diagnoses in women (Komen). A tutorial on The Komen Foundation’s website has also said that this year, approximately 216,000 cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women, while over 40,000 women will die from breast cancer.
The cause of breast cancer is still unknown. The greatest risk factor, according to the Mayo Clinic’s website, is being a woman. And, even if a woman has no family history of breast cancer, she may still get the disease. In fact, according to the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization, more than 70 percent of all women with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
These are reasons why breast cancer is such an important issue for women to learn about. Because of these grim facts, it is vital that a woman know her risk factors, signs and symptoms of the disease and how to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. It is also extremely important for breast cancer patients to know what treatment options are available to them, how to talk to others about the disease and how to cope with breast cancer from day to day. Because I am a woman myself, and know breast cancer survivors and patients, I thought it crucial to educate not only myself, but others as well.
While the cause of breast cancer is still unknown, it is clear that breast cancer results from the out-of-control replication of abnormal cells that form a lump, called a tumor. Although breast cancer can strike a woman even if she has no family history of the disease, having a mother, sister or daughter with the disease can double a woman’s risk of breast cancer (American Cancer Society). Older women also must know that their risk is greater. The ACS website says that 8 of every 10 breast cancers are found in women over 50, and that if women have experienced menopause after the age of 50, their risk is slightly increased. This website also says that while caucasian women are at greater risk of developing breast cancer, African-Americans with the disease are more likely to die from it.
Other factors the ACS says have a positive relationship with breast cancer risk include: having a previous experience with breast cancer, beginning menstrual periods before the age of 12, and not having children or having the first child after the age of 30. On the other hand, breast-feeding, limiting alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy weight decrease the risk. Knowledge of risk factors can translate into early detection and survival.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer may help save a woman’s life, according to the Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic also says that while most breast lumps are not cancerous, a breast lump is also the most common sign of breast cancer. Other symptoms of breast cancer can include: a clear or bloody discharge from the nipple, retraction or indentation of the nipple, a change in the size or contours of the breast, a flattening or indentation of the skin over the breast, or redness or pitting of the skin over the breast (Mayo Clinic).
Early detection is important. Therefore, a woman should visit her doctor regularly and have a routine mammogram. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breasts and can show many cancers before they are felt (Y-Me). A mammogram can help save a woman’s life because it finds a cancerous lump when it is small, and curing the cancer becomes easier (FDA). The FDA also says annual mammograms are recommended for women over the age of 40 and for younger women who have a history of breast cancer or who are at high risk. In addition, all women should perform monthly breast self-exams. The Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization and the FDA report Mammograms and Breast Cancer offer helpful tips on how to perform one.
If a cancerous lump is detected, it is important for a woman to know her treatment options. If the cancer is confined to the breast and lymph nodes under the arm (Stage I, II and IIIA breast cancer), the cancer.gov website suggests treatment options such as breast conserving surgery to remove only the cancer and some surrounding breast tissue, and modified radical mastectomy to remove the breast, lymph nodes and tissue covering the chest muscles. A journal article titled Breast Conservation Surgery: surgical and adjuvant considerations has said that there is little difference in survival rates between women who have undergone breast conserving surgery and those who have had a mastectomy (2). Early detection, the article says, has been correlated with an increase in BCS and decrease in mastectomy rates. Also, for women with metastatic breast cancer (meaning the cancer has spread to other places in the body), there is evidence that monochemotherapy (in which only one drug is used) is a valid option (Biganzoli 4).
It is crucial for a woman to understand how to cope with breast cancer, and learning how to talk about the disease is important. The Y-Me Organization suggests being open and honest and telling others when you just need someone to listen. Also, a woman must not assume that others know what she needs. A Y-Me publication also suggests taking time to talk with a spouse and children about the disease as well as taking time to be alone with thoughts (Green Bananas 6)
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