The Canadian cancer society issued new guidelines for breast cancer patients about examination of their breasts. They no longer need to follow monthly self examination of breasts but they should understand their breasts and alert doctors if they detect any changes. Women should need to be aware of the normal breast tissue and they seek medical advice when they find any changes. Monthly systematic examination of breasts actually does not decrease breast cancer deaths and regular self examination of breasts is associated with a high rate of false positives. Role of Mammogram: But mammogram screening is useful as it can detect a lump that is just millimeters in size. Canadian Cancer society recommends a mammogram every two years for women aged 50 to 69, while women over 40 should have a clinical breast examination by a trained medical professional at least every two years. Women aged 40-49 are urged to discuss risk factors with their doctors. Large lumps or puckering in the skin in your breast tissue when you move your arm are some common signs that identify a tumour inside a breast. Obesity increases the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer and alcohol consumption is another risk factor associates with breast cancer risk. Women who control their weight by regular exercise can decrease breast cancer risk by 40% in the below 50 age group and by 25% in the above 50 age group. Breast cancer prevention:If we can give drugs to women who are at risk of breast cancer in the above 50 age group, we can prevent 50% deaths. Eating diet rich in vetables and fruits, oily fish, less meat and junk food will decrease cancer risk.Regular exercise, healthy diet habits, staying away from Smoking and alcoholism can prevent 50% of breast cancer cases. Women should not use Hormone replacement Therapy for more than 8 years. Prevention will play vital role than treatment for breast cancer in the coming days. … [Read more...]
Breast cancer – Causes and prevention
All the tumours in the breast may not be cancers. The benign once are called “Fibroids”. Incidence of breast cancer: In India: 1 in 30 women. In Western countries: 1 in 10-15 women. Causes of Breast cancer: 1. Heredity: Women with family history of breast cancer are high risk patients. 2. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):Women under HRT may prone to breast cancer due to oestrogen hormone. 3. Early Menarche: Early menstrual cycles. 4. Late Menopause: High risk for breast cancer if it is beyond 50 years of age. 5. If the cancer occurs in one breast, the other breast may be affected. 6. Late marriages 7. Women who do not breast feed their babies. Points to be observed: 1. Unless there is emergency, hormones therapy cannot be prolonged. Prevention: 1. Self examination of breast – Every month. 2. Mammography – Every year. Follow the natural rules of female life like marriage (appropriate time) and breast feeding, we can decrease the breast cancer cancers. These are preventable cases. Good news: Breast cancer cases are in decline in western countries. Bad News: Breast cancer cases are rising in developing countries. … [Read more...]
MRI-High risk Breast Cancer cases
American Cancer society issued new guidelines to the women who are at risk of developing Breast Cancer. 1.4 million US women (Breast cancer risk cases) should get annual MRI as well as mammograms as per new guidelines. Women who have cancer diagnosed in one breast should get an MRI in the other breast. Reason: MRI scans revealed cancers in the opposite breast that were missed by ordinary Mammograms in 3% of cancer survivors. MRI should be done for the following women along with Mammogram: 1. symptomless women age 30 and older who have a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes 2. Those who were treated for Hodgkin's disease 3. Those with a strong family history of the disease, such as women with two or more close relatives who had breast or ovarian cancer or who have a close relative who developed breast cancer before age 50. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): It makes more detailed images with a magnet and radio waves but without radiation. MRI detects cancer better than mammogram in women with dense, non-fatty breasts. MRIs are better at showing increased or abnormal blood flow in the breast, a sign of early cancers not visible on a mammogram But MRI screening is not being recommended for most women. One reason is the test's error rate, which can lead to unnecessary biopsies. Another is the high cost. While a mammogram costs roughly $100 to $150, an MRI can cost $2,000 or more at some medical centres. Mammography: Mammography is the usual screening test used by doctors for detecting breast masses or tumours. Mammograms spot calcium deposits in the breast better than MRIs do. Breast MRIs should be done at places that do biopsies as well. Biopsy is the confirmatory test. Only downside is MRI gives more false positive results than Mammogram that will result in more economical and psychological burden on the patient and her family. Conclusion: Women at high risk of developing Breast cancer should have done their MRI along with Mammogram. … [Read more...]
