Breast Cancer
What is Breast Cancer
A particular type of cancer that begins in the breast cells is known as breast cancer. It can occur in men and women but is more common in women. The cancer cells can form a tumour, which can be felt as a lump or mass in the breast and spread to other body parts through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. Increased success rates can be achieved with early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
Why does breast cancer occur?
Although the precise causes of breast cancer are not yet fully known, several risk factors have been discovered, including:
Age - the risk of breast cancer increases as a woman gets older.- Alcohol consumption
- Exposure to oestrogen - women who have started menstruating at a young age, gone through menopause late, or taken hormone replacement therapy may have a higher risk of breast cancer.
- Gender - women are more likely to develop breast cancer than men.
- Genetics-specific gene mutations, like those in BRCA1 and BRCA2, can raise the risk of breast cancer.
- Obesity
- Personal or family history of breast cancer
- Physical inactivity
Having one or several of these risk factors does not confirm a breast cancer diagnosis. Additionally, some people may develop breast cancer without any known risk factors.
What are BRCA1 and BRCA2?
The genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 create proteins that aid in preventing the spread of cancer cells. Mutations in these genes can increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. Inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are responsible for a significant percentage of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers. Women who inherit a deleterious BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation are more prone to ovarian and breast cancer than the general population. Testing for harmful mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 can help determine a person's risk of developing these cancers. Making educated choices about cancer prevention, risk-reduction, and screening measures is possible using this information.
How can breast cancer be treated?
Common treatments for breast cancer include:
- Chemotherapy
uses drugs to kill cancer cells. - Hormonal therapy
targeting the hormones that some forms of breast cancer can use as a fuel source. - Radiation therapy
uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. - Surgery
breast cancer excision by a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. - Targeted therapy
uses drugs to target specific proteins involved in the growth and spread of breast cancer cells.
In some cases, a combination of these treatments may be used. The treatment choice will depend on the patient's circumstances, and the healthcare team will work with the patient to develop a personalised treatment plan.