At Andromeda Cancer Hospital, we provide the best breast cancer care, combining advanced medical expertise with heartfelt compassion. Our hospital is a beacon of hope and healing, dedicated to supporting patients and their families every step of the way.
Understanding Breast Cancer
Breast cancer originates in the cells of the breast and occurs when these cells grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor. This tumor can be malignant, meaning it has the potential to invade surrounding tissues or spread to other parts of the body. While breast cancer can affect both men and women, it is far more common in women.
Causes of Breast Cancer
The exact causes of breast cancer are not fully understood, but several factors are known to increase the risk:
Genetic Factors: It is inherited where the mutations in genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, are one of the factors that may cause an elevated risk.
Hormonal Factors: Longer interaction of estrogen and progesterone, e. g. during early menstruation, or late menopause, contribute to heightened risk of disease onset.
Lifestyle Factors: Inadequate nutrition without exercise, overindulging in alcohol and cigarettes are means to cancer.
Environmental Factors: Emission of radiation or certain chemicals into the atmosphere can result in the growth of malignant tumors in the breast.
Family History: Having a first degree relatives with breast cancer’s risk will absolutely be the most potential risk of lifestyle.
Age: The probability of breast cancer is found higher as women today are getting older.
Some of the diagnostic methods for breast cancer include mammography, which can detect early cancerous growths before they are visible to the naked eye; biopsy, which involves taking a tissue
from a suspicious area for testing; and imaging studies, like CT, MRI, and PET, to see abnormal tissue relating to breast cancer.
The idea of diagnose breast cancer early can strongly increase recovery conditions. The following methods are commonly used for diagnosis:
The following methods are commonly used for diagnosis:
Self-Examination: One of the most effective methods, how you personally can identify any odd breast changes is through periodical self exams.
Clinical Breast Exam: Provided by a health care provider to discover thickening or nodules on the breasts.
Mammography: Radiographic screening of the breast by means of an x-ray examination for the earliest possible discovery of cancer is one of the most reliable and widespread methods of research.
Ultrasound: It is used to follow up abnormalities in mammography and physical examination.
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging provides highly detailed images and is used for those who are high-risk patients or have unclear mammograms.
Biopsy: A sample of breast tissue is extracted and analyzed under the microscope to verify the presence of cancer cells.
Treatment Options
The type, stage, and patient-related characteristics will determine the treatment for breast cancer. Common treatment options include:
Surgery:
Lumpectomy: Excising of the tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue.
Mastectomy: Removal of one or both breasts, partly or completely.
Radiation Therapy: High-energy rays are directed to kill the cancer cells, which remain after the operation.
Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to kill cancer cells, which is often done before or after surgery.
Hormone Therapy: The drugs target cancers that are hormone receptor-positive by inhibiting hormones that are essential for cancer growth.
Targeted Therapy: Drugs that target specific attributes of cancer cells, like HER2 protein to stop their proliferation.
Immunotherapy: Stimulates the body’s natural defenses to destroy cancer cells.
Clinical Trials: Research studies participation with access to new treatments that are not available to the majority of people