Approximately one in 12 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, with approximately 685,000 women dying from them in 2020. What are breast tumors, their symptoms, how are they treated, and what are the ways to prevent them?
It is a very common type of tumor that begins in the cells of the breast. A breast tumor may consist of the proliferation of abnormal cells and may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Breast tumors primarily affect women, but they can also affect men, albeit at a much lower rate. It is worth noting that doctors have recently made significant strides in early detection and treatment.
It should be noted that in the past, detecting breast cancer meant removing the entire breast. Today, such operations are only performed in rare cases, as a wide range of treatments are available, which we will discuss below.
This type grows within the milk ducts. The main problem with ductal carcinoma is that it can increase the risk of developing other types of breast tumors. It is not considered a common type, nor is it life-threatening for the affected woman.
This is the most common type among women, as it begins in the milk ducts and then spreads to breast tissue. It's worth noting that this type can also affect men.
n this type, cancer cells spread from the breast to other organs in the body, such as the brain, bones, and liver. It's possible for it to recur.
Breast cancer in men is rare, even very rare, with an incidence rate of no more than 1%.
It is important to be examined by a doctor when these symptoms are noticed for accurate diagnosis. However, women should be aware that the presence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean breast cancer, and there may be other, less serious causes for these symptoms.
Early detection of breast cancer is one of the most successful ways to treat and overcome breast tumors. Detecting a small tumor can control the tumor and ultimately cure it. Therefore, the American Breast Cancer Association recommends regular screening, especially for women at a higher risk.
It should be noted that in some cases, there may be no clear signs or symptoms indicating the possibility of infection. Therefore, these lumps are detected through screening. In general, the most important methods for screening for breast cancer include the following:
We emphasize in this context that all of these tests help increase the recovery rate from breast tumors by a percentage that may exceed 90% in some cases.
The most important complications of breast cancer include the following:
We emphasize in this context that these All tests help increase the recovery rate from breast tumors, which may exceed 90% in some cases.
Surgical intervention is a procedure in which the tumor is removed from the breast. These procedures may include a lumpectomy, partial mastectomy, or complete mastectomy. The lymph nodes surrounding the breast may also be removed.
Radiation therapy is used after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells and reduce the likelihood of cancer recurrence. Radiation is directed at the area where the tumor was removed and the surrounding lymph nodes.
Chemotherapy aims to control the growth of cancer cells in the body. Chemotherapy is usually given intravenously, but it can also be given in a series of repeated treatments over a specific period of time.
Targeted therapy is a treatment that targets specific genes, proteins, or a specific environment that contributes to tumor growth and survival. This type of treatment for breast cancer aims to prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Immunotherapy, also known as biological therapy, aims to enhance the body's natural defenses and immunity to fight and eliminate cancer cells. It is worth noting that among the drugs used for this type of treatment are atezumab and pembrolizumab.
Methods of preventing the risk of developing breast tumors include the following:
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