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Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the one of the commonest malignancies afflicting
women. In some parts it is the most common malignancy. It is currently estimated that one
in 14 of all female children born will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
Despite extensive investigation into the cause of breast cancer there is still no known
cause.
What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
The exact cause of breast cancer is not known and most likely involves many factors:
Geographical: It is much more common in the
western world.
Genetic: A family history of breast cancer
will increase the risk of developing breast cancer in a woman by three to five times.
Recently, a breast cancer gene (BR CA 1) has been identified. If a woman has this gene
present in her chromosomes, there is an 85% chance of developing either breast or ovarian
cancer, or both in her lifetime.
HorJennal: It appears to be more common in
women who did not bear children. It is also less common in women who have their first
child at early age.
Women who started their menstrual periods before age 12, those who delayed menopause until
after age 55, and those who had their first pregnancy after age 30 have a mildly increased
risk of developing breast cancer (less than two times the normal risk).
What factors have a protective effect?
Pregnancy and breast feeding have a protective effect in preventing breast cancer.
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
Screening:
The prognosis of breast cancer is closely related to the stage of disease at the time of
diagnosis, therefore screening for breast cancer is extremely important. Numerous studies
have confirmed that populations which get screened for breast cancer yield patients having
much smaller tumors with much better prognosis. Currently, mammography and breast
examination serve as the foundation in screening for breast cancer. Mammography is an
x-ray examination of the breast. It has the ability to detect a cancer in the breast when
it is quite small, long before it may be felt by breast examination. Eighty-five to 90% of
all breast cancers are detectable by mammography. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of breast
cancers are not visible on mammography, but can be felt on physical examination of the
breast.
The importance of Breast Self Examination cannot be overstressed. A percentage of breast
cancers is not seen on mammography and it is extremely important for a woman to perform
Breast Self Examinations.
Currently, it is recommended that a woman should have a baseline mammogram between the
ages of 35 and 40 years. Between 40 and 50 years of age mammograms are recommended every
other year. After age 50 years, yearly mammograms are recommended.
Other diagnostic tests and procedures:
Ultrasound: An ultrasound is a test that
uses sound waves to visualize structures inside the body. It is often used to distinguish
between cysts and solid tumors in the breast. Fluid within cysts can be aspirated
(withdrawn with a needle and syringe) for analysis in the laboratory.
Biopsy: It is a procedure which involves
removal of a piece of tissue to analyze under the microscope. Biopsy still remains the
only confirmatory test for breast cancer.If an area of the breast is suspicious for a
cancer, a biopsy is usually performed to confirm or deny the diagnosis.
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