Breast Cancer Diary

Currently mammography and ultrasound are basic imaging techniques for detection and localization of breast tumor. Breast Ultrasound is a typically painless medical test that uses reflected sound waves for further evaluation of a breast abnormality or a specific area seen on mammography. Ultrasound can locate and measure abnormalities or changes to determine if a breast lump is solid or filled with fluid. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast which may find tumors that are too small to feel. Women aged 40 to 74 years should have annual screening mammograms to lower chance of dying from breast cancer(2,15).Mammograms are less likely to find breast tumors in women younger than 50 years. This may

Mammograms are breast cancer screenings and are of great importance since they detect if indeed a malignant tumor is present and if so what stage it is in (Stephan, 2010). Cancers can be detected at stages I, II, or IIA (Haas et al., 2008).

There are no symptoms at the early stages of breast cancer which makes early detection even more difficult. When tumors become large there is an obvious breast mass which is mostly not painful. Symptoms of breast cancer include breast thickening, skin irritation, tenderness, swelling, breast scales, distortion, redness tenderness, nipple retraction and ulceration, There may also be abnormal discharge.

Having any of the symptoms in the breast should result in seeing a doctor to fully understand what is going on, and why it is happening.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in American women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). However, regular screening and mammograms can help reduce the mortality rates of breast cancer patients (LaPorta, et al., 2017). Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include lumps, abnormal changes to the nipple, abnormal discharge from the nipple, or change in color of the breast or part of the breast (Asuquo and Olajide, 2015). There are many factors that can put women at risk of developing breast cancer, the two most common being growing older and being female (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). Other risk factors can include things such as a

¨Breast cancer will form a small lump under the breast that will change the shape, dimpling of it. You will also have fluid coming out of your nipple and a small little red patch somewhere on the breast, you also will have a little pain¨ (webMD).

Breast cancer is an unfortunate reality that plagues nearly 12 percent of women in the United States. 1 After being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, the 5 year survival rate diminishes to 22% according the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.2 All types of cancer treatments are associated with certain problematic side effects. In many cases the side effects from the treatments are the main cause for decrease in the overall quality of life and function for the patient. The three most common treatments for breast cancer are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Common side effects from chemotherapy include; cancer related fatigue (CRF), pain, mouth and throat sores, and nervous system effects such as peripheral neuropathy.3 Many of the side effects associated with radiation therapy are similar to that of chemotherapy, but also include skin irritation and burns.4 Upper extremity range of motion and strength deficits are common impairments that follow surgical interventions for breast cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the cancer diseases which can be detected early by looking at its symptoms. Symptoms may include a lump or thickening

Breast cancer may also cause changes in the breast. For example, the nipples may retract or turn inward. The nipples or the skin around the breast may thicken. A woman may also experience nipple discharge. Additionally, the breast may swell. A woman who notices strange changes in her breast will need see a medical

Breast cancer is an extremely common disease, affecting about 12% of women in the United States. That’s why The American Cancer Society recommends that all women get their regular mammograms every year after age 40. On top of that, women are taught to look out for any unusual lumps or bumps. That way, they can notify their doctors right away and try to catch any suspected breast cancers early. Did you know that besides an obvious lump or mass, there are other signs of breast cancer that are more subtle? Here, we share some more subtle signs of breast cancer that all women should be aware of.

It’s pretty simple, right? It’s just cancer of the breast. What if this cancer makes it to another part of the body like the liver? Is it, now, liver cancer? How do I know it’s actually breast cancer? Most likely, you noticed an abnormal lump on your breast when you get out of the shower one day. Alternatively, you could have your yearly mammogram and your physician could notice a change in your breast tissue (“Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer”). Whatever the reason, it would be an urgent need to see your regular physician and have them refer you to a physician who specializes in breast cancer as soon as possible. According to the American Cancer Society, when there is a suspected mass in your breast, your attending oncology physician will ask you to consent to a breast biopsy. With this, they will send the specimen to be looked at by a pathologist. A pathologist is a medical doctor who is specially trained to look at cells under a microscope and identify diseases (“Your Breast Biopsy Results”). Because these pathologists are specially trained to differentiate between each type of tissue, they will know if it is breast cancer by the unique tissue markers it portrays (Hoonakker). Once you get your test results back, it can go one of two ways: it can be benign—where a simple surgery can remove the abnormal mass or it can be malignant—a lot more serious and have the possibility to metastasize to other parts of the body, like the liver. There is a

Three-quarters of all breast cancer patients are not in any of the groups considered at increased risk for breast cancer, indicating that not all risk factors are understood. As a result, doctors recommend that every woman should familiarize herself with the techniques for monthly breast self-examination. X-ray examination of the breasts, a technique called mammography, can detect tumors before they are large enough to be felt and increase the odds for successful treatment. The American Cancer Society recommends that women over age 40

Breast cancer is a very common disease in women. Simply stated, cancer that forms in the breast cells is breast cancer. Breast cancer appears when the breast cells start growing and dividing too fast. The cells begin dividing faster then the normal cells and a lump or mass is formed (Breast Cancer). Some of these tumors, though, are benign; these tumors are not cancerous and do not spread throughout the body. Other tumors are malignant; they are cancerous and able to spread throughout the body (Braddock 3-4).

There are symptoms in your body that you can look for to raise awareness for IDC. Typically, as women we think that the very first and possibly only sign of breast cancer is a lump or knot in the breast. There could also be a mass in the tissue of the breast. Yes, these could be symptoms and should most defiantly be addressed by a physician they are not the only symptoms and signs that you should look for. There could be a thickening of the breast or any changes in your breasts or nipples. Upon any signs or symptoms in which you may suspect an abnormalities in your breast, then, it is time to see a Dr and possibly schedule a mammogram. Once a woman reaches the age of forty it is recommended to have a mammogram. However, it is never too early to be tested. Earlier diagnosis means early treatment.

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of the breast cells as a result of mutations or abnormal changes in the genes that are responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy. In normal healthy cells our body replaces the old dead cells with healthy new ones through a process of cell growth. When mutations occur certain genes can be turned off or turned on resulting in cells that have the ability to infinitely divide without any rhyme or reason. This produces more cells that are abnormal and eventually leads to the formation of a tumor. Tumors can end up being benign or malignant. Benign tumors are not cancerous, their cells are slightly abnormal and they grow slowly and do not spread to nearby tissues or other parts