Breast
cancer is one form
of cancer that is extremely treatable by surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy,
or hormonal therapy. The best prognosis, is when it is detected in the early
stages. Use of mammography
is best for the early detection of breast cancer. The therapy used is based on
the health and age of the patient, stage of the disease, results of the pathology,
and information from the tumor such as the presence of tumor necrosis, size of
the tumor, estrogen-receptor and progesterone-receptor levels in the tumor tissue.
Patients who are overweight may have a poorer prognosis. Prognosis varies
by race. African-Americans and Hispanics usually have a poorer prognosis
than Caucasians. Female
relatives may be at a higher risk of also producing the disease. It is recommended
that they be screened. Please, consult a doctor for recommendations.
Approximately
1 in every 100 cases of breast cancer occur in men. Hormonal
contraceptives are known to increase the chances of breast cancer a small amount.
The risk does go down over time and appears to be gone after 10 years. Cancer
diagnosis may be confirmed by a biopsy with a needle. If the tumor tissue is surgically
removed, part of it will be processed for estrogen-receptor and progesterone-receptor
levels. Some
studies suggest that perioperative blood transfusions impairs survival in breast
cancer patients. It is best to limit the transfusion of blood to breast
cancer patients whenever possible. A modified radical mastectomy rarely requires
a transfusion, even when combined with submuscular insertion of an implant for
reconstruction. If the breast is to be reconstructed using a tissue flap following
a modified radical mastectomy, the need for blood transfusions will probably be
necessary. The patient should plan on donating their own blood ahead of time in
case a blood transfusion is necessary.  Studies
show that periodic follow-up with bone scans, liver sonography, chest x-rays,
and blood tests of liver function do not improve the chances survival any more
than a routine physical examination. These tests permit earlier detection
of recurrent disease, but the patient's survival appears to be unaffected.
Therefore, the usual follow-up for patients with no signs of the disease after
their treatments of stages I-III breast cancers should be a physical examination
along with annual mammography. If
a recurrence happens after a lumpectomy followed by radiation, the best cure is
usually a mastectomy. The disease-free survival rate at 5 years is 58% and
at 10 years it is 50%. HRT
is generally not used for menopause because estrogen is a proven growth factor
for most breast cancer cells. However, the prognosis of women who took HRT before
developing breast cancer appears better. This could be because of increased office
visits and physicals that lead to an earlier detection of tumors. |
