سرطان الثدي (Breast Cancer)

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BreastCancer

 

On this page, you will find everything you are looking for regarding breast cancer.

What Is Breast Cancer?

  • Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. It involves abnormal changes in the growth of breast cells, forming masses known as tumors. If untreated, these masses can spread from the breast tissue to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver, or bones. There are several types of breast cancer, depending on which breast cells that grow into cancer. The most common types of breast cancer are:
  • – Invasive ductal carcinoma: This is the most common type. Cancer cells begin in the ducts and then grow outside the ductsinto other parts of the breast tissue. These invasive cancer cells may also spread or metastasize, to other parts of the body.
  • – Lobular carcinoma: Cancer cells start in the lobules (milk glands) and spread from the lobules to nearby breast tissues and other parts of the body.

– Inflammatory breast cancer.

  • What Are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
  • An unusual lump in the breast or underarm, which involves a change in the shape or size of the breast.
  • Thickening or swelling of a part of the breast.
  • Irritation of the breast skin.
  • Changes in the appearance of the nipple, such as inversion.
  • Discharge from the nipple.
  • Peeling, redness, or swelling of the nipple or breast area.

Breast pain.

  • What Causes Breast Cancer?
  • Aging: The risk increases as oneBRCAgets older. Most breast cancer casesBRCAoccur after the age of 50.
  • Genetic mutations: Women who inherit changes (mutations) in certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 are more prone to breast and ovarian cancers.
  • Early menstruation before age 12, and starting menopause afterage 55: Longer exposure to hormones increasesthe risk.
  • A personal history of breast cancer or certain noncancerous breast diseases.
  • Family history of breast or ovarian cancer: Awoman’s risk increases if her mother, sister, ordaughter (first-degree relative) was diagnosed with the disease.
  • Reproductive history: Having the first pregnancy after age 30 and not breastfeeding can increase breast cancer risk.
  • Previous exposure to radiation therapy: Women who underwent chest or breast radiation before age 30 are at a greater risk.
  • Certain hormonalmedications.. 
  • Overweight or obesity.
  • Alcohol consumption.

Lack of physical activity.

How Is Breast Cancer Diagnosed?:

  • The doctor gathersmedical history, conductsa clinicalexamination, andmay request (Ultrasound Scanadditional proceduressuch as:MRI).
  • Imaging tests (mammogram, ultrasound scan, or MRI).
  • Breast biopsy.

Laboratory tests, including blood analysis.

How Is Breast Cancer Treated?

  • Treatment may include:
  • Surgery: Removal cancerous tissues and tumors from the breast.
  • Chemotherapy: Drugs that stop cancer cell growth by killing them or from dividing and spreading. Chemotherapy may be taken orally, injected into a vein or muscle, or delivered directly into the cerebrospinal fluid or the affected organ.
  • Hormonal therapy: Prevents cancer cells from growing.
  • Biological therapy: Works with the immune system to fight cancer or manage treatment side effects.

Radiation therapy: High-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or stop their growth.

How Can Breast Cancer Be Prevented?

  • While no method guarantees prevention, risk may be reduced by:
  • Staying physically active for at least 30 minutes daily.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Avoiding alcohol.

Breastfeeding, as it reduces breast cancer risk.

 

Anxiety and depression: Common among women with breast cancer. 

Importance of Mental Health for Breast Cancer Patients: 

A breast cancer diagnosis affects not only the body but also mental and emotional health, impacting both patients and their families. The challenge effect beyond physical symptoms like hair loss or fatigue, include psychological struggles such as anxiety, depression, stress, and post-diagnosis trauma. Psychological and social support are crucial forrecovery. 

 

Good mental health is linked to better treatment response and higher recovery chances. Women receiving such support adapt more effectively to physical and emotional changes. 

How Does Positive Mental Health Affect Patients? 

  • Positive mental health helps in: 
  • Reducing feeling of isolation: social support network decrease loneliness. 
  • Improving pain management: Stress and anxiety can inten pain. 

 

Enhancing quality of life: better ability to enjoy daily, even during treatment. 

What Are the Types of Psychological Support for Breast Cancer Patients? 

Social support: 

  • Friends and family can help by: 
  • Attending treatment sessions. 
  • Assisting with daily tasks (e.g., meals, childcare). 

 

Listening without judgment. 

Support groups: 

  • Patients share experiences, providing: 
  • A sense of belonging. 
  • Learning from others’ experiences. 

 

Access to helpful resources. 

  • Professional psychological support includes: 
  • Individual psychotherapy: Strategies for managing anxiety and depression. 
  • Group therapy: Shared support from others facing similar issues. 

 

Cognitive behavioral therapy: Changing harmful thought patterns. 

  • Psychosocial services: 

 

Consultations with specialists to help patientsand families adapt to life changes. 

  • The role do family and friends 
  • The psychological impact of breast cancer is not limited to the patient but extends to her family, who may experience feelings of anxiety and fear as well. Thus, it’s important for family members to receive psychological and social support to help them provide effective support to the patient. The role of the family includes: 
  • Emotional support: Showing love and care. 

 

Encouragement: Involving the in enjoyable activities. 

Education: Learning about the disease and treatment to provide effective support. 

  • Common misconceptions 

Numerous misconceptions exist about breast cancer, potentially leading to misunderstandings about the disease, prevention methods, and treatment. Some of these misconceptions and their corrections include: 

  • Myth 1: Mammograms cause or spread breast cancer. 

Fact: Mammograms are safe and effective. Radiation exposure is minimal and harmful 

  • Myth 2: Breast cancer always starts with a lump. 

Fact: Not all cases involve a lump. Symptoms like swelling, skin changes, or discharge may appear first. 

  • Myth 3: Breast cancer never causes pain. 

Fact: Early cases are often painless, but some aggressive or advanced tumors can cause discomfort. 

  • Myth 4: All breast lumps are cancerous. 

Fact: Many lumps benign (e.g., cysts, fibroadenomas). Still, all lumps require medical evaluation. 

  • Myth 5: Men cannot get breast cancer. 

Fact: Men can develop breast cancer, though less commonly than women. 

 

Myth 6: Self-exams aren’t needed without risk factors.

  • Fact: Anyone can develop breast cancer. Regular self-exams and check-ups aid early detection.
  • When Should You See a Doctor?

 

Consult a doctor if you notice symptoms such as swelling, pain, itching, or nipple discharge. Also,see your healthcare provider if you have known risk factors.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When should abreast cancer screeningmammogram be performed?
  • Usually annually starting at age 40. Earlierif you have genetic mutations (BRCA1 orBRCA2), long hormone exposure, a family historyBRCAof breast or ovarian cancer, or aBRCAfirst pregnancy after age 30 without breastfeeding.
  • I found a lump in my breast. Does that mean I have cancer?
  • Not necessarily. Many breast lumps are benign. A doctor will evaluate your medical history and perform an exam to determine the cause.
  • I had X-rays and a CT scan as requested by my doctor for a previous issue. Can these cause cancer?

Repeated high radiation exposure may increase risk, but the low levels from medically necessary scans are not believed to cause cancer.

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