Article Navigation

Back To Main Page


 

More Articles

Breast cancer for beginners


by: Mansi gupta

Introduction
Because of the social changes, which has brought increased number of workingwoman and hence delayed childbearing, there has been a steep rise in the number of breast cancer patients in the last few decades. But as the incidence of the patients has risen so has raised the modality of treatments and the success rates. Also scientists have devised methods by which the cancer can be detected in an early stage and it has been convincingly proved that early detection and treatment bears a better prognosis than the later stage.

Myths
There are many myths attached to breast cancer. Some think that any lump in breast is a breast cancer but to the contrary most of them are benign. Similarly it was a popular belief earlier that breast-feeding decreases one’s risk of the cancer but that has been now found to be untrue. Some say that mammography makes the breast cancer widespread but it’s not true. Similarly there are many other myths, which need to be cleared in mind of the general mass for the proper detection and management of the tumor.

Early detection
Breast cancer can be detected in an early stage if women are taught to self-examine their breast. In case of detection of any breast lump or of any slightest suspicion, mammography should be done to rule out any tumor. Mammography is a good tool to diagnose this type of cancer.

Statistics
The incidence of breast cancer is increasing at an alarming rate. It is said that every 2-3 minutes one American woman is diagnosed a breast cancer.

Cause
Although the cause is not fully understood but it is hypothesized that there are various factors such as genetic and environmental. The environmental factors are increased age, obesity, smoking and having the first child at late age.

Diagnosis
The findings that denote a cancer are single, non-tender and firm to hard mass with ill-defined margins. This can be later confirmed by mammography and biopsy. After the cancer has been diagnosed staging is done to find out the best treatment option as well as the prognosis.

Management
The management of breast cancer rests basically on two things. The first is the treatment and second is the counseling. The treatment can further be divided into three: medical, radiation, and surgery. The medical treatment consists of drugs such as tamoxifen, which is an anti estrogen, aromatase inhibitors such as aminoglutethimide and monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab. But similar to other drugs they have their own side effects profile. The side effects associated with tamoxifen are increased vaginal bleeding, endometrial cancer and cataracts. The aromatase inhibitors have the side effects of leg cramps, jaundice and weight gain while the monoclonal antibodies may cause sterility or certain birth abnormalities.
Generally the radiation and surgery are the modalities, which are needed for the treatment to ward off the body of the cancerous growth.

Counseling
This is one of the most important parts of the treatment both before and after the surgery. The patients are to be taught that this is only another disease, which has treatment available, and persons can lead a normal life after that.

Latest research
Latest research is being done on both the surgery and the medicine. For the surgery, surgeons are trying to find out the best way of surgery so that post surgery the patients have minimal disabilities. Similar medicines with lesser side effects are being researched.





Latest Cancer News:



FDA panel votes against Xgeva for prostate cancer


A panel of cancer experts voted against a new use for Amgen's Xgeva in prostate cancer on Wednesday, saying the drug's ability to slow the spread of the disease did not translate into meaningful benefits for patients Breast cancer kills older women more often


NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Breast cancer is often considered more deadly among younger women, but a new study shows older women are actually more likely to die of the disease. Researchers found that among women who had been diagnosed with a certain type of breast cancer, those over 75 years old were 63 percent more likely to die of the cancer than women younger than 65. "I suspect it's ... Breast cancer charity chases Komen defectors


As a prominent breast cancer researcher and activist, Susan Love is no stranger to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Love runs a breast cancer research foundation that bears her name, and she organized the Army of Women , more than 360,000 women to whom breast cancer researchers can blast out requests for subjects. But the Komen Foundation is so entrenched in the world of breast cancer fundraising ... A Better Way to Spend Breast Cancer Funds?


We must move breast cancer advocacy to the next level, beyond screening for cancers that are already there, even beyond the cure, to finding the cause, writes Dr. Susan Love. Cancer-hit cricketer Yuvraj vows to return stronger


India's cancer-stricken World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh has vowed to return "stronger than ever" to competitive cricket, saying he was responding well to treatment in the United States. Doxil/Caelyx (Ovarian Cancer) - Analysis and Forecasts to 2020


NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2012  /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue: Doxil/Caelyx (Ovarian Cancer) - Analysis and Forecasts to 2020 http://www.reportlinker.com/p0657184/Doxil/Caelyx-Ovarian-Cancer---Analysis-and-Forecasts-to-2020.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=PathologyDoxil/Caelyx ... Triple Analysis: Lung Cancer, Angiogenesis and Cancer Vaccines


NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2012  /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue: Triple Analysis: Lung Cancer, Angiogenesis and Cancer Vaccines http://www.reportlinker.com/p0284988/Triple-Analysis-Lung-Cancer-Angiogenesis-and-Cancer-Vaccines.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Drug_and_MedicationThis ... Marian Regional Medical Center Receives CEO Cancer Gold Standard Accreditation


The CEO Roundtable on Cancer recently accredited Marian Regional Medical Center with the CEO Cancer Gold Standard? recognizing the hospital?s efforts to reduce the risk of cancer f Breast Cancer Drug May Weaken Bones, Study Finds


TUESDAY, Feb. 7 (HealthDay News) -- A drug used to prevent breast cancer in women at high risk for the disease appears to cause bone loss in some postmenopausal women, a new study finds. Marc Garnick Answers 6 Key Questions about Prostate Cancer


Marc Garnick Answers 6 Key Questions about Prostate Cancer Breast cancer kills older women more often - Fox News


News Image
Daily Mail

News Image
Breast cancer kills older women more often
Fox News
Print Email Share Comments Recommend Tweet Breast cancer is often considered more deadly among younger women, but a new study shows older women are actually more likely to die of the disease. Researchers found that among women who had been diagnosed ...
Breast cancer kills older women more often: studyReuters
Older women at breast cancer death riskTimes of India
Breast cancer screening 'no longer justified' and causes 7000 women a year to ...Daily Mail
ABC News -Tempo
all 100 news articles »
Insight: Komen charity under microscope for funding, science - Reuters


News Image
Los Angeles Times

News Image
Insight: Komen charity under microscope for funding, science
Reuters
By Sharon Begley and Janet Roberts | NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Susan G. Komen for the Cure charity defines its mission as finding a cure for breast cancer. In recent years, however, it has cut by nearly half the proportion of fund-raising dollars it ...
Komen Board's Wisdom Lost on Scott WalkerHuffington Post (blog)
Komen foundation shouldn't give any money to Planned ParenthoodBaltimore Sun
Komen executive quits as questions persistLos Angeles Times

all 3,873 news articles »
FDA panel votes against Xgeva for prostate cancer - The Associated Press


News Image
USA TODAY

News Image
FDA panel votes against Xgeva for prostate cancer
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) ? A panel of cancer experts voted against a new use for Amgen's Xgeva in prostate cancer on Wednesday, saying the drug's ability to slow the spread of the disease did not translate into meaningful benefits for patients The Food and ...
Amgen Fails to Win Advisory Panel Backing for Expanded Use of Cancer DrugBloomberg
FDA questions Amgen drug for prostate cancerUSA TODAY
FDA Panel Votes Against Expanding Use Of Amgen Drug XgevaFox Business

all 87 news articles »
Pa. woman gets probation for fake cancer claims - USA TODAY



News Image
Pa. woman gets probation for fake cancer claims
USA TODAY
(AP) ? A Pennsylvania woman who submitted nearly $100000 worth of fake cancer treatment insurance claims for herself and her husband must repay the money while she serves nearly nine years on probation. The Observer-Reporter of Washington, ...

and more »
program takes cancer patients on Road to Recovery - Chicago Daily Herald



News Image
program takes cancer patients on Road to Recovery
Chicago Daily Herald
By Elisabeth Mistretta Kathy Miller of Arlington Heights sat inside Northwest Community Hospital near her home two years ago, feeling beaten down from radiation and chemotherapy treatments to treat her stage-four throat cancer.
Winter adds to ordeal of cancer patientsSTLtoday.com

all 2 news articles »
Slow-Growing Prostate Cancer Is Still 'Real Cancer' - Medscape



News Image
Slow-Growing Prostate Cancer Is Still 'Real Cancer'
Medscape
February 8, 2012 ? Low-grade low-volume prostate cancer often grows very slowly, and men presenting with this diagnosis might never experience morbidity or mortality as a result of the condition. However, hearing the emotionally charged term "cancer" ...
Ask Dr. K: Hot flashes in men are caused by low testosteroneGreenville Daily Reflector

all 3 news articles »
DNA sequencing helps identify cancer cells for immune system attack - Washington University in St. Louis News


News Image
Washington University in St. Louis News

News Image
DNA sequencing helps identify cancer cells for immune system attack
Washington University in St. Louis News
By Michael C. Purdy DNA sequences from tumor cells can be used to direct the immune system to attack cancer, according to scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The research, in mice, appears online Feb. 8 in Nature.

and more »
Montblanc Announces Unprecedented Partnership With Texas Children's Cancer Center - Sacramento Bee



News Image
Montblanc Announces Unprecedented Partnership With Texas Children's Cancer Center
Sacramento Bee
Montblanc and Texas Children's Cancer Center have joined together to support excellence in patient care, research and education to enhance the health and well being of our nation's children. To show personal commitment to this cause, Montblanc has ...
Texas Children's partners with Montblanc to raise fundsHouston Business Journal

all 8 news articles »
Breast cancer claims Purdue astronaut Janice Voss, 55 - Journal and Courier


News Image
RedOrbit

News Image
Breast cancer claims Purdue astronaut Janice Voss, 55
Journal and Courier
Astronaut Janice E. Voss, a Purdue University graduate and one of the few women launched into space, died Monday in Scottsdale, Ariz., after a battle with breast cancer. She was 55. Voss was part of five space shuttle missions, spending a total of 49 ...
Cancer Claims Five-Time Shuttle AstronautDiscovery News
Janice Voss, Shuttle Astronaut, Dies of Cancer at 55ThirdAge
NASA Astronaut Janice Voss Loses Battle Against Breast CancerRedOrbit
WIFR -French Tribune -Boston.com
all 190 news articles »
Roche Breast Cancer Drug Pertuzumab Gets FDA Priority Review - Fox Business


News Image
Insciences Organisation

News Image
Roche Breast Cancer Drug Pertuzumab Gets FDA Priority Review
Fox Business
VX) experimental breast cancer drug pertuzumab, opening the way for a launch as early as 2012 for a product the Swiss company hopes can contain damage from lost sales when top seller Herceptin loses patent protection in a few years' time.
Roche breast cancer drug gets FDA priority reviewMarketWatch
FDA rewards Roche with priority review for blockbuster cancer drugFierceBiotech
FDA will speed up review of Roche cancer drugCBS News
PMLiVE -HemOncToday
all 53 news articles »

 



Home | Resource Links | Contact Us
Copyright © 2006 CancerAdvice.org