Review Of Breast Cancer Diagnosis And Treatment

Although older women are much more likely to develop breast cancer, it also affects girls as young as fifteen. The breast cancer causes are unknown even to date, but most medical researchers believe that family history, the age of menarche, genetic predisposition, age all play role.

Even though many women belong to a high-risk group, what is unknown is why some of them develop the disease, while others don't. However, if diagnosed, a woman's life changes dramatically – the outcome of a treatment is never known and there is always chance of recidivation. Surely, the sooner the cancer is revealed and the treatment commences, the higher the chances of survival.

Breast cancer is often diagnosed when a woman finds a lump in her breast, or nipple breast, pain, redness or swelling are experienced. Quite often the breast cancer does not have any of symptoms, and it stresses the importance of regular checkups and mammography. Mammograms are especially important for aged women and doctors would advise women older than forty to have one every year. Although mammograms aren't 100% fool–proof, they are one of the most effective ways to diagnose breast cancer at an early stage, which tremendously increases the chance of overcoming the disease. Younger women should have clinical checkups every three years, while breast self-examination is recommended to women of all age groups. Females that belong to high-risk groups should have both mammography and MRI.

If a lump has been found in one of the breasts, more tests are needed and such tests can be breast biopsy, ductal lavage or aspiration. In order to decide on the appropriate treatment, two more tests are also done and they are the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 test and the hormone status test.

When all the test results are out, the possible treatment options are discussed between the patient and the oncologist, but in most cases, surgery is performed. If the cancer is at an early stage, other treatments might be recommended and quite effective and in the majority of the cases they are hormone blocking drugs like Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen 20mg is also prescribed after surgery. The treatment is done in order to block the hormone estrogen, which influences the development of the breast cancer cells. This drug is one of the most prescribed and has been used for more than thirty years since it has been proven to be effective.

Certainly, no medication or any other form of treatment should be started unless it has been prescribed by medical professional. Early treatment commencement is critical for the outcome of the treatment!

By: Blake K. Pitts

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