Treatment and Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Summary - Breast cancer is a highly common cancer in women, that develops in the breast tissue. This article discusses the treatment of breast cancer and the importance of a good cancer care team for prolong relief.

Breast Cancer: Treatment Options

There are many treatment options for breast cancer, which may be prescribed by doctors specializing in the different areas of cancer treatment. These options range from surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, which may be prescribed after a thorough diagnosis of the stage of cancer, its size, and type.

Many experts work together to offer a patient a comprehensive treatment plan that combines the various treatment for breast cancer to ensure effectiveness and cure.

Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Upon experiencing symptoms of cancer, such as pain, weakness, lump like formation in the breast that is tender to touch, retracted Nipple, skin irritation and swelling on the breast, one must consult an expert who can help diagnose and stage cancer. Diagnostic tests are performed to confirm the prognosis. Early detection of breast cancer can aid the treatment of the same and ensure comprehensive cure. Hence, after the age of 30 women are encouraged to routinely test for lumps and undergo breast cancer screening at health care centres.

Breast Cancer Treatment Options

The extent, behaviour of the breast cancer affects the breast cancer treatment that may be suggested by experts. Some cancerous tumours are smaller but grow fast, while others are large but grow at a slower pace. Thus, breast cancer Treatment options and recommendations must be taken from expert oncologists who have experience in the treatment of breast cancer and a positive review from patients.

Generally, the breast cancer treatment will be specifically tailored for the treatment of each patient the general treatment for breast cancer in the early or advanced stage is,

In the treatment of breast cancer, doctors generally recommend breast cancer removal surgery to extract the tumour. To ensure the entire tumour is removed, the surgeons also get rid of a small area of healthy tissue surrounding the tumour. The purpose of the breast cancer surgery is to remove all the signs of visible cancer, in many cases, microscopic cells may be left behind. Thus, patients may require another surgery to remove the remaining cancer cells.

In cases of large tumours, doctors may recommend breast cancer treatment which is first aimed at shrinking the tumour with chemotherapy or hormonal therapy before breast cancer surgery.

Inoperable cancer is the stage in which breast cancer surgery is not possible, doctors then recommend chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and/or hormonal therapy to shrink the tumour growth.

Adjuvant therapy

After breast surgery, the treatment plan is followed by treatment aimed at lowering the risk of relapse and eliminating any remaining cancer cells. Treatment for prevention after breast cancer surgery is called adjuvant therapy. Adjuvant therapies include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and/or targeted therapy.

Adjuvant therapy lowers the risk of reoccurrence, however, does not eliminate it completely.

Patients must take time and learn about the treatment options and be sure to clear their doubts by addressing the same with the experts handling the case. One must talk to the doctors about all the available breast cancer treatment options, the outcome from each treatment and the associated side effects.

Breast cancer treatment is vital upon diagnosis of the condition; hence one must ensure they invest their time in finding the best doctors and teams, to help formulate a systematic breast cancer treatment plan to ensure comprehensive and long-term relief from the recurrent and life-threatening ailment.