A Cancer-Free 2019

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Wed, 16 Jan 2019 - 09:22 GMT

BY

Wed, 16 Jan 2019 - 09:22 GMT

A Cancer-Free 2019

A Cancer-Free 2019

T here are several myths when it comes to breast cancer, but with it being the most common cancer worldwide in women, accounting for 25% of all female cancers, there is a need to address misconceptions—getting the facts straight could ultimately save a life.

Myth number one is that a biopsy is risky and may lead to the spread of cancer. This is totally incorrect. A biopsy from the breast mass lets us know whether this mass is benign or malignant, and any necessary surgery or treatment are planned accordingly.

Also, breast cancer now is classified into several types and each one has its ideal treatment plan. So according to the biopsy result, the patient may either undergo surgery or be recommended for chemotherapy followed by surgery. Myth number two is that removal of the breast leads to a better outcome than removing the tumor only and preservation of the breast. Proper selection of patients to undergo breast conserving surgery (removal of the tumor with preservation of the breast) has the same cure rates as removal of the entire breast (mastectomy). Myth number three is that antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer.

There isn’t any scientific evidence to support this assumption. With all these misconceptions out there, it’s best to read up on causes and treatments of cancer which is one of the leading fatal diseases among women—recent statistics indicate that 1 in every 8 women runs the risk of developing breast cancer during her life.

And yet only about 10% of cancer cases have a known cause which is linked to genetic mutation where the disease can be run from one generation of a family to another. The remaining 90% don’t have a specific cause, but there are known factors which increase the risk of breast cancer. These factors are associated with increased exposure to female sex hormones, such as early menarche, late menopause, not giving birth or having a first baby after the age of 30. Other sources of increased hormone exposure include taking oral contraceptive pills or hormone replacement therapy over an extended period. Unhealthy lifestyle habits including obesity, smoking and alcohol intake are found to be associated with cancer. When it comes to breast cancer in specific, there are a number of known factors that decrease the risk of having breast cancer, among them giving birth at a young age, multiple pregnancies, breastfeeding and regular exercise.

Luckily breast cancer is one of the cancer types that can benefit from early detection through breast examinations and scans. If detected early breast cancer can have a very high cure rate, meaning treatments such as chemotherapy are not necessary. Breast self-examination can start at the age of 20, while mammography can be done every year starting from the age of 40 or younger if there is a strong family history of breast cancer.

The most common presentation of breast cancer is a breast lump, usually accidentally discovered and painless. Yet it’s very important to take into consideration the age factor, as not every breast lump felt is suspicious or necessarily cancerous. A breast lump in a 20 year old is most likely benign while a breast lump in a 50 year old will most likely turn out to be malignant. Other signs of breast cancer include changes that occur to the breast skin. These comprise inward retraction of the skin, skin thickening to resemble orange peel (what we call peau d’orange).

Also a very important skin sign is that of an aggressive form known as inflammatory breast cancer where there is recent redness of breast skin. This is sometimes mistaken for mastitis which is breast inflammation that is commonly seen. Other signs may include any changes in the shape or direction of the nipple, or inward retraction of the nipple. Though not common breast cancer may be manifested as a lump in the armpit without anything felt in the breast. Breast cancer surgery has undergone major advances in recent years. On coplastic surgery is used to remove the tumor and reshape the breast using plastic surgery techniques to obtain the best cosmetically pleasing outcome possible. Another novel technique in breast cancer surgery is the lipofilling technique which includes performing liposuction from areas of excess fat , then injecting this fat to correct any defect present from a previous breast cancer surgery.

Patients who need to surgically remove their breast can benefit from immediate breast reconstruction to avoid the detrimental psychological impact of losing their breast. This is done by removing all the breast tissue and preserving the breast skin and sometimes also the nipple and areola. The removed breast tissue is then replaced by silicone implants or muscles from other parts of the body such as the back and tummy. Breast reconstruction following mastectomy can also be done at a later stage, but will usually require more than one operation to achieve the desirable cosmetic result.

There are several factors that can influence the outcome of breast cancer treatment. These are called prognostic factors and include tumor stage, tumor size, tumor grade and number of affected lymph nodes, among others. Every patient mustn’t compare herself to other breast cancer patients because each woman has her own prognostic factors that will influence the treatment outcome. As your New Year Resolution, make sure you are aware of any changes in your body. Breast cancer is a potentially curable disease if discovered and treated early, and understanding the possible risk factors, common presentations and methods of early detection can help you live cancer-free.

Dr. Tamer Manie is consultant on surgical oncology and is a member of the European Society of Surgical Oncology.

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