What Are The Symptoms & Treatments Of Breast Cancer?

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What Are The Symptoms & Treatments Of Breast Cancer?

 

According to estimates, 30% of new cancer diagnoses among women in 2022 will be breast cancer. As of 2021, breast cancer accounted for 12% of all new cancer cases worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. There were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, and 685 000 women died from the disease. Symptoms of breast cancer and treatment of breast cancer have been addressed underneath.

 

What are the Causes of Breast Cancer?


A female's breasts are composed of fat, connective tissue, and thousands of lobules after puberty. There are glands in there that produce milk. The reason behind breast cancer is that there is DNA damage, or it is a result of genetic mutation. It can be caused by trusted Source estrogen exposure, inherited genetic defects, or inherited cancer-causing genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. If you are healthy, your immune system attacks any abnormal DNA or growths, but if you have cancer, then it does not happen. The result is that breast tissue cells multiply uncontrollably, and they do not die as expected. Excessive cell growth results in a tumor that deprives surrounding cells of nutrients and energy.

 

What are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?


There are different stages of breast cancer. The early symptoms include an area of thickened tissue in the breast, a lump in the breast, or an armpit. Other symptoms include:

  1. Change in the color of the breast skin, including redness on the skin. 

  2. The appearance of a rash around one nipple 

  3. A discharge containing blood from the nipple. 

  4. An inverted nipple

  5. Change in size or shape of the breast

  6. Scaling or flaking of the skin of the breast or nipple


Most breast lumps are not cancerous, but if you notice one, then you should consult oncologist, and for constant follow-ups, you can consult online oncologists.

 

Stages of Breast Cancer


Stage 0


Also known as ductal carcinoma in situ in this, there is no spread of cancerous cells outside of the ducts.

 

Stage 1


The tumor measures up to 2 centimeters (cm) across at this stage. There is no effect on any lymph nodes, or there are chances of small groups of cancer cells in lymph nodes.

 

Stage 2 


At this stage, the tumor is 2 cm and has started to spread to nearby nodes.  In some cases, it is not spreading but the tumor is around 2-5 cm.

 

Stage 3 


The tumor is up to 5 cm across and has spread to several lymph nodes; the tumor is larger than 5 cm and has spread to a few lymph nodes.

 

Stage 4


Cancer is now everywhere and has spread to distant organs, most often the bones, liver, brain, or lungs.

 

How Can You Treat Breast Cancer?


Several factors determine the most effective approach, including:

  1. Stage of the cancer

  2. Type of cancer 

  3. Age of patient 

  4. Overall Health of patient 

  5. The sensitivity to hormones


The treatment options include: 

  1. Hormone therapy

  2. Surgery

  3. Biological therapy

  4. Targeted drug therapy

  5. Chemotherapy

  6. Radiation therapy


FAQs


Q1. What is one of the first signs of breast cancer?


The first sign is a lump in your breast or underarm that won’t go away. 

Q2. Who is most likely to get breast cancer?


Women who are 50 or older are more likely to get breast cancer.

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