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Know about BREAST CANCER

BREAST CANCER

Breast cancer is the second most cancer effecting women.Breast cancer usually presents as a palpable lump, but around 20 %cancers usually present as locally advanced cancers.

Risk factors for breast cancer

The risk of breast cancer increases with age.

Genetic mutations: women with mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA 2 genes are at higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer

Early menarche,nulliparity,child birth at age more than 35 years,delayed menopause ,hormonal therapy are at increased risk of breast cancer.

Family history of breast cancer in first degree and second degree relatives have increased risk of breast cancer.

Previous treatment of using radiation therapy for hodgkins lymphoma have higher risk of breast cancer

Elder women with obesity have higher risk of breast cancer than normal women.

Hormone replacement therapy that includes both oestrogen and progesterone have higher risk of breast cancer.

Symptoms of breast cancer include

Lump in the breast which is hard and may or may not be fixed to skin or underlying tissues,skin changes in the breast,invertednipple,retraction of nipple,blood stained or clear discharge from the nipple.

Types of breast cancer include

Infiltrating ductal carcinoma

Ductal carcinoma in situ

Infiltrating lobular carcinoma

Lobular carcinoma in situ

Triple negative breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer

Pagets disease of breast

Investigations of breast cancer

Mammogram, USG breast, core needle biopsy, MRI breast for young and dense breast .In advanced cancers USG abdomen and pelvis,CT abdomen and pelvis, bone scan,PET scan.

Treatment of breast cancer 

Early breast cancer treatment includes Breast conservation surgery which consists of excision of the primary tumour,followed by whole breast irradiation with a boost to the tumor site.However the recurrence within the irradiated breast may be as high as 20percent in those women surviving for 10 years after surgery.It may also be combined with clearance of axillary nodes.

Locally advanced breast cancer treatment includes  chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.In addition neoadjuvant chemotherapy may allow few selected patients to undergo breast conservation surgery.

Metastatic breast cancer treatment includes palliative therapy