Breast Cancer - treatment tips

Unlike other type cancers, women are more concerned about breast cancer as it affects their lives in many aspects - mentally as well as physically.

In some cases of inherited breast cancers (where patient have family history of disease), two genes BRCA1 (BReast CAncer1) and BRCA2 ((BReast CAncer2) which have to function to keep breast cells growing normally and prevent cancer cell growth, undergo mutation or certain abnormalities which leads to breast cancer, whereas there are other factors that contribute to increased breast cancer risk (like any factor that causes other type of cancers).

If breast cancer is detected earlier, patient has high chances of surviving of it, there are some important checks that women should follow which can help them detect cancer:

Breast Self Exam: In this breast exam women should check their breasts each month right after the period ends. They should look/feel for abnormal lumps or changes. Normally women at the age of 20 should include this activity/exam in their routine.

Clinical Breast Exam: Your doctor will perform some medical exams on your breasts. Doctor does not use any equipment but checks breast for lumps/abnormal changes by hand. Although you might feel that there is no difference in Breast Self Exam and Clinical Breast Exam, but an experienced doctor can tell you what you might have missed.

Mammograms: This is the best way to check for breast cancer by taking X-rays of breasts. Women of age above 40 should start getting mammograms once a year.

Even if it is a common understanding that women generally fall prey to breast cancer, it is important to know that cases of breast cancer are found in males also. Once the cancer is detected/diagnosed, the patient has to be careful. There are several type of treatments for breast cancer such as surgery/operation, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Most of the times there are high chances of curing breast cancer if it is found in early stage. There are various stages of breast cancer, which range from Stage I to Stage IV. Stage I and Stage II are beginning and growth stages of cancer cells in breast duct (milk duct) where the breast cells are confined to the duct only and do not spread to the other parts of the body this is also called as non-Invasive carcinoma. In Stage III and IV the cancer cells start growing in huge number and spreads to other parts of the body, this is also called as Invasive carcinoma.

While undergoing treatment, the patient feels pain, fatigue, vomiting and other type of physical problems, but as it is a fact that normally women fall prey to this disease, they undergo mental stress, frustration etc. Women carrying this disease sometimes undergo mental imbalance and they think about the change in their BIG picture and what other people might think about them. Married women might think about the possible change in their partner’s behavior and this can cause problems in their relationship. It is the responsibility of people around the patient to let him/her know/feel that they really care for him/her and there is nothing wrong or its not a sin if the patient has developed breast cancer.

People suffering from breast cancer (or any type of cancer) should follow strict dieting and should obey the instructions given by their physician. They should aim at exercising 4-5 hours a week. It is always good to stay away from smoking, use of tobacco and liquor consumption. Patients should try to stay in an environment where they can fight the stress and pain that is caused by the treatment. Meditation and Yoga surely helps in overcoming the problems of fatigue.