Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. The cause of breast cancer is unknown.
We all fear the dreaded ‘C’ word – but let’s understand what cancer actually is:
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Therefore, breast cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the breast. In healthy cell division, the body's cells reproduce themselves in an arranged manner so that healthy growth occurs and damaged or old tissues are replaced. Sometimes, cells continue growing into a mass of tissue called which is called a tumour. Tumours can be benign (which means noncancerous) or malignant (which means they are cancerous).
These so-called malignant, or cancerous cells can build up and form a lump or tumour. In some cases, the malignant cells might spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph system. New cancers formed in this way are called secondaries or ‘metastases’.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Fortunately, the majority of breast changes are not cancer, but you absolutely should see your general practitioner as soon as possible if you notice any of these changes when examine your breasts:
- Lump in the breast
- Thickening of the breast skin
- Dimpling of the breast skin
- Discharge from the nipple.
There are certain risk factors that are known to increase your chance of developing breast cancer, and these are:
- Being female (yes, men can get breast cancer too, but compared with women it is a rare occurrence with an incidence rate of about 1% compared with the rate in women).
- Being of increasing age
- Having a family history of breast cancer.
Can you actually prevent breast cancer?
Certainly the earlier that breast cancer is actually detected, the better the chances are of successfully treating it. Nowadays, there are a number of ways to detect breast cancer at an early stage, including:
- Mammography - Women aged 50-69 should have a mammogram (breast X-ray) every two years.
- Having your breasts clinically examined - Your doctor should examine your breasts each year for any lumps or unusual changes.
- Breast Self-Examination - You should examine your breasts regularly (monthly) and see your doctor if you notice any breast changes.
Can breast cancer be treated?
Now, breast cancer can often be treated effectively. There are several different treatments available and these are often used in combination. Possible treatments are:
- Surgery - this could be the removal of the cancer and a small part of the breast surrounding it (lumpectomy) or the removal of the entire breast (mastectomy).
- Chemotherapy - a course of drugs given to kill or control the cancer cells.
- Radiotherapy - course of high energy X-rays to the breast area to kill the cancer or control the cells.
- Hormone therapy - controls the growth of cancer cells that need the female hormone, oestrogen, to grow.
Breast Self Examination
Examining your breasts once a month takes only a few minutes and should be done at the same time each month. In the woman who is still having periods, it should be performed just after her period has finished. Your doctor, women’s health centre, family planning centre or the Cancer Council will be able to give you information on the correct way to examine your breasts.
Source: The Menopause Made Simple Program, Anderson, D. & Graham, V. (2002)
Allen & Unwin, NSW.
Pages 32-34