Difference between revisions of "Breast cancer"
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==Ways of reducing the risk== | ==Ways of reducing the risk== | ||
Revision as of 16:37, April 11, 2007
Under construction
Introduction
Risk factors
Ways of reducing the risk
Maintaining a healthy weight and a healthy diet reduces the risk.[1] [2]
Breast self-examination carried out every month, ideally one week after beginning a menstrual period, is a common-sense preventive measure, but current research shows that it may not actually reduce mortality. It is still recommended.[3] For women over the age of 40, mammogram screenings are another preventive measure that can detect cancer earlier, when it is easier to treat. However, not all medical authorities agree on whether there is any benefit from having annual mammograms below the age of 50. [4]
Breast-feeding may lower risk. [5] Term pregnancies may reduce risk, as an interruption to estrogen exposure decreases risk compared to women with no pregnancies. [6] However, no one has studied getting pregnant as a method of risk-reduction.
Diagnosis
In the modern era, the majority of breast cancers are diagnosed as a result of an abnormal mammogram and subsequent biopsy. Up to 20 percent of new breast cancers are not detected or visible on a mammogram. MRI is becoming an important diagnostic test in certain situations.[7]
Staging
There are a few different staging schemes. Staging is primarily accomplished surgically. A common current method is "sentinel node biopsy" which identifies the nearest lymph node draining the tumor, avoiding the need for more invasive lymph node dissection. One common staging system follows:
- Early stage
- Stage I: this is defined as tumor <2cm with no positive lymph nodes
- Stage II: <2cm tumor with lymph nodes involved on the same side, or tumor >2cm without positive nodes.
- Stage III: Locally advanced: extensive lymph node involvement, direct extension of tumor outside of the breast
- Stage IV, metastatic disease. Breast cancer cells found outside of the immediate area of the original tumor.
Treatment
under construction
Treatment is based on several factors, including the stage of the disease, age and menopausal status of the patient, and the hormone-receptor status of the tumor. Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy are used alone or in combination.
- Surgery: There are many surgical options, depending on tumor size and lymph node status. For small, localized tumors, lumpectomy followed by radiation is as effective as mastectomy.
- Hormone therapy: really, a subset of chemotherapy, hormone therapy cuts the tumor off from chemicals it needs to grow.
- Chemotherapy: this therapy will kill tumor cells throughout the body.
Prognosis
Under construction
Outcomes in breast cancer depend on the stage of the disease at diagnosis, the hormone receptor status, and a variety of other factors.
References
- ↑ http://society.guardian.co.uk/cancer/story/0,,686105,00.html
- ↑ http://unisci.com/stories/20021/0104023.htm
- ↑ http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/girls/bse.html
- ↑ http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/women/9909/27/bcam.mammography/
- ↑ http://society.guardian.co.uk/cancer/story/0,8150,757869,00.html
- ↑ http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn2570
- ↑ Kriege, M. "Efficacy Of MRI and Mammography for Breast-Cancer Screening in Women With a Familial or Genetic Predisposition." New England Journal of Medicine. July 29, 2004, Vol. 351, No. 5, pp. 427-437.