Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is cancer, which emanates from the breast tissues, normally the lobules, or the milk ducts. The one which starts from the milk ducts are identified as ductal carcinomas whereas the one which starts from the lobules are identified as lobular carcinomas (Saunders & Jassal, 2009). After lung cancer, breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer across the globe. Although it is a women disease, close to 1% of its cases are reported in men.
Pathophysiology and Etiology
The most significant causes of breast cancer include the advancing age and hereditary factors. A woman whose daughter, mother or sister has the cancer is at a high risk of developing the disease. Research has shown that hereditary breast cancer is caused by two genes namely, BRCA1 and BRCA2. About 0.5 % of the women population is known to carry the genes (Scott-Conner, 2011). These genes predispose a woman to the cancer although it is not a vouch that she will suffer from cancer (Saunders & Jassal, 2009).
Age is also another factor because women who are above 50 years are more likely to develop breast cancer compared to the younger women. A greater exposure to the hormone estrogen exposes a woman to the risk of developing breast cancer. Estrogen plays a part in cell division and consequently, more cell division can result in abnormality thus resulting in cancerous cells. Additionally, recent studies have shown that regular drinking of alcohol and obesity can promote the cancer.
Breast cancer can also be caused by environmental factors. A patient who has undergone radiation therapy on the chest is at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Lastly, the use of diethylstilbestrol in preventing miscarriage also increases the risk of getting breast cancer (Saunders & Jassal, 2009).
Breast cancer victims would experience irritation, redness and pain in the breast. Furthermore, secretion of fluid from the nipples and thickening of the skin in their breast or its surrounding will be evident.
Treatment
Several techniques can be used to treat breast cancer. The method to be used is dependent on factors that include but not limited to tumor size, the risks, and the benefits of the treatment (Chillemi, 2008). The methods can either be systemic or local.
The local treatment involves destroying the disease in the breast and its surroundings. The local treatment can either be through surgery or radiation therapy (Chillemi, 2008). The surgery can either be lumpectomy or mastectomy. Lumpectomy involves the removal of the tumor and the tissues around it whereas mastectomy is the removal of part or the whole breast with cancer. Radiation therapy entails the use of high-energy rays to kill the cancerous cells (Scott-Conner, 2011).
The systemic treatment involves destroying the cancerous cells throughout the body. These methods include; chemotherapy, hormone therapy and biological therapy. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill the cancerous cells (Scott-Conner, 2011). The hormonal therapy is the use of drugs in the prevention of hormones such estrogen from supporting the growth of cells that remain after the cancer surgery. Lastly, the biological therapy is the destroying of cancer cells using the body’s immune system.
Patient Prognosis
Prognosis is the estimation of the patient’s survival and the effects of cancer on the patient. In breast cancer prognosis, a number of factors are considered; the stage, the size, and the location of the tumor, the disease recurrence, and the patient’s age (Scott-Conner, 2011). If the stage is higher, then the effects on the patient will be worse. Grading is based on the behavior of the cells. It the cells are closer to normal, their growth will be slower thus a better prognosis while the undifferentiated cells will divide and spread rapidly hence a worse prognosis (Scott-Conner, 2011).
Prognosis in young women is poor compared to older women because at their stage, their breasts are active and diagnosis can be done at the advanced stages. Patients who do not test positive to estrogen and progesterone receptors will not act in response to hormone therapy.
Conclusion
Prevention measure can be taken to reduce the risks of getting breast cancer. These measures mainly include changing lifestyles for example eating a healthy diet and limiting alcohol consumption. Moreover, Frequent checkups and screening should be done to ensure that the cancer is treated early its early stages.
Chillemi, S. (2008). Breast Cancer: Questions, Answers & Self-Help Techniques.
Lulu
Saunders, C. & Jassal, S. (2009). Breast Cancer: The Facts. Oxford University Press
Scott-Conner, C. (2011). Breast Surgical Techniques and Interdisciplinary Management.
Springer
