June 28th, 2012 by Hasham

What is Breast Cancer?

 
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. The disease occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get it, too.After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the world. But breast cancer rates have fallen in recent years, though doctors aren’t certain why. Still, for many women, breast cancer is the disease they fear most.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer:

* Swelling of all or part of the breast

* Skin irritation or dimpling

* Breast pain

* Nipple pain or the nipple turning inward

* Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin

* A nipple discharge other than breast milk

* A lump in the underarm area

Sometimes there are no symptoms of breast cancer when it is in the early stages. If you notice a lump, or are experiencing anything unusual, you must report the symptoms to your doctor as soon as possible.

Breast Cancer Causes:

It’s not clear what causes breast cancer. Doctors know that breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin growing abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do. The accumulating cells form a tumor that may spread (metastasize) through your breast, to your lymph nodes or to other parts of your body.

Breast Cancer Remedies:

* Garlic: Eat raw garlic cloves or in powder form as it makes good anti cancer agent.

* Broccoli contains linamarase gene that when present inside cancer cells can breakdown into cyanide and effectively kill the tumor cell.

* Grapes contain a compound that leads to effective treatment of breast cancer.

* Vitamin D intake has been associated with lower risk of breast cancer. This can be found in milk, eggs, cod liver oil but not in cheese and yogurt.

* Prepare herbal green tea by boiling some amount in a glass of water till it reduces to half. This has anti-inflammatory properties and is very effective against breast cancer.

* It is good to have cucumber, carrot, banana, corn, spinach, peas and lentils by a patient suffering from cancer. These can be consumed as soup or lentils as sprouts as they are rich in protein.

* Lignans are present in cashews, strawberries, flax seed, sunflower and peanuts as this slows down the rate of progression of cancer.

* It is important to consume calcium especially in the pre-menopausal period for women. It has been shown to reduce breast cancer risk several times.

* It is advised to cut down on hot dogs, beef, lamb and pork as they contain high amount of saturated fats. Eating less quantities of this red meat will reduce the risk of prostate and colon cancer.

Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast.

The breast is made up of lobes and ducts. Each breast has 15 to 20 sections called lobes, which have many smaller sections called lobules. Lobules end in dozens of tiny bulbs that can produce milk. The lobes, lobules, and bulbs are linked by thin tubes called ducts.Each breast also has blood vessels and lymph vessels. The lymph vessels carry an almost colorless fluid called lymph. Lymph vessels lead to organs called lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped structures that are found throughout the body. They filter substances in a fluid called lymph and help fight infection and disease. Clusters of lymph nodes are found near the breast in the axilla (under the arm), above the collarbone, and in the chest.

The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the cells of the ducts. Cancer that begins in the lobes or lobules is called lobular carcinoma and is more often found in both breasts than are other types of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is an uncommon type of breast cancer in which the breast is warm, red, and swollen.

Breast cancer is sometimes caused by inherited gene mutations (changes).

The genes in cells carry the hereditary information that is received from a person’s parents. Hereditary breast cancer makes up approximately 5% to 10% of all breast cancer. Some altered genes related to breast cancer are more common in certain ethnic groups.

Women who have an altered gene related to breast cancer and who have had breast cancer in one breast have an increased risk of developing breast cancer in the other breast. These women also have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, and may have an increased risk of developing other cancers. Men who have an altered gene related to breast cancer also have an increased risk of developing this disease. For more information, see the PDQ summary on Male Breast Cancer Treatment.

Tests have been developed that can detect altered genes. These genetic tests are sometimes done for members of families with a high risk of cancer. See the following PDQ summaries for more information:

Free treatment for breast cancer patients likely

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) is contemplating free medical treatment for breast cancer patients at the Capital Hospital, as the CDA chairman has directed the quarters concerned to mull over this matter as how to materialise it.

The speakers informed the audience at a symposium on Breast Cancer held at the Capital Hospital on Saturday that on the direction of CDA Chairman Imtiaz Inayat Elahi more than 200 breast cancer patients had been treated at the hospital’s Breast Clinic.

The experts were of the opinion that the deadly disease could be treated if it were diagnosed in early stage and with the best preventive measures.

They deplored the lethargic attitude of the authorities towards the health sector and demanded that the government give it priority in the budget allocation.

Renowned cancer specialists shed light on causes and prevention of breast cancer. At least 200 cases were discussed, which were operated upon at the Capital Hospital. The cancer specialists exchanged views on effective measures to prevent cancer.

Eminent Oncologist Dr Naeem Taj, Dr Tauqeer Ahmed and Dr Israr discussed different aspects of breast cancer. The Capital Hospital has established Breast Clinic, which is functioning in Department of General Surgery.

They said patients of breast cancer and other related diseases will be detected early and level of awareness about the disease could be improved through precautionary measures.

The CDA chairman has directed Capital Hospital’s Executive Director (ED) Hamid Zeb Khan to take measures for provision of free treatment to the patients of breast cancer at the clinic. The ED said he had assigned the task of cancer treatment to Dr Touqeer Ahmed, Head of the Department of General Surgery, who will supervise the clinic along with Dr Naeem Taj.

Treatment & Side Effects

In recent years, there’s been an explosion of life-saving treatment advances against breast cancer, bringing new hope and excitement. Instead of only one or two options, today there’s an overwhelming menu of treatment choices that fight the complex mix of cells in each individual cancer. The decisions — surgery, then perhaps radiation, hormonal (anti-estrogen) therapy, and/or chemotherapy — can feel overwhelming.

Breastcancer.org can help you understand your cancer stage and appropriate options, so you and your doctors can arrive at the best treatment plan for YOU.

In the following pages of the Treatment and Side Effects section, you can learn about:

Planning Your Treatment
What types of treatment are available, the most likely sequence of treatments, treatment options by cancer stage, and fitting treatment into your schedule.
Getting a Second Opinion
Reasons for getting a second opinion about your treatment plan, how to go about getting one, and what to do once you’ve got it.
Surgery
Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), mastectomy, and lymph node dissection, and what to expect from each. Also included: Prophylactic surgery and breast reconstruction.
Chemotherapy
How chemotherapy works, who should get it, different types and combinations, and side effects and how to manage them.
Radiation Therapy
How radiation therapy works, who it’s for, advantages, side effects, and what to expect when you get it.