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| What is It? |
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| A malignant growth of breast tissue. Breast cancer spreads to nearby lymph glands, lungs, pleura, bone (especially the skull), pelvis, and liver. It may affect males in rare cases. Breast cancer is rare before the age of 30, the peak ages are from 45 to 65. The incidence increases after menopause. |
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| Causes |
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| Unknown. |
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| Signs and Symptoms |
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| No symptoms in early stages, but pre-symptom stages may be detected by mammogram. |
| * Swelling or lump in the breast. |
| * Vague discomfort in the breast without true pain. |
| * Retraction of the nipple. |
| * Distorted breast contour. |
| * Dimpled or pitted skin in the breast. |
| * Enlarged nodes under the arm (late). |
| * Bloody discharge from the nipples (rare). |
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| Risk Factors |
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| * Women over 50. |
| * Women who have not had children or who conceived in the late fertile years. |
| * Family history of breast cancer (especially mother or sister). |
| * Previous benign tumors of the breast (fibrocystic disease). |
| * Early menstruation; late menopause; first pregnancy after 30. |
| * Previous breast cancer in one breast. |
| * Radiation exposure. |
| * Patients with endometrial or ovarian cancer. |
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| Prevention |
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| * Examine breasts monthly for signs of cancer. |
| * Visit your doctor regularly for a professional examination. |
| * Obtain a baseline mammogram between ages 35 to 40. |
| * Have mammograms every 1 to 2 years to age 49 and annually after 50. |
| * Eat a well-balanced diet that is low in fat. (Studies are inconclusive about high-fat and breast cancer risks in humans). |
| * If you are pregnant, consider breast-feeding your baby. Women who have breast-fed have a lower incidence of breast cancer. |
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| Diagnosis and Treatment |
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| General Measures |
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| * Diagnostic tests will include a physical exam, biopsy, and mammogram. After diagnosis, other tests such as ultrasound, bone scan, chest X-ray, liver scan are often performed. |
| * The decision for treatment is very complex, and often confusing. Be sure all options are explained and that the risks and benefits of each are thoroughly understood. It is important for you to be an informed and participating member of your health care team. |
| * Surgery to remove the lump, or breast, lymph glands, and lympatic channels and muscles under the breast (sometimes). |
| * Radiation therapy (sometimes). |
| * Hormonal or chemotherapy (sometimes). |
| Medication |
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| * For minor discomfort during treatment, you may use non-prescription drugs such as acetaminophen or aspirin. |
| * Other drugs that may be prescribed: |
| * Pain relievers. |
| * Anticancer drugs, such as fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, chlorambucil, vincristine, doxorubicin or melphalan. |
| * Hormones (male and female). |
| * Cortisone drugs. |
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| Activity |
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| * After surgery, resume your normal activities gradually. |
| * Exercise for rehabilitation following surgery will depend on how much tissue has been removed and your general physical condition. |
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| Diet |
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| No special diet. Maintain good nutrition. |
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| Possible Complications |
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| * Spread to vital organs if not treated early. |
| * Adverse reactions to anticancer drugs and radiation. |
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| Prognosis |
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| Most breast cancer is curable if diagnosed and treated early. The 10-year survival rate is related to the stage of the disease at diagnosis. |
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