Breast cancer has become a leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide, especially in countries in economic development. It is also the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. Early detection of cancer is the cornerstone for the outcome of breast cancer treatment and survival. However, the fact that the early stages of breast cancer is often asymptomatic, so that early detection of breast cancer difficult. It is therefore essential that women of the importance of regular screening to achieve, such as mammography, the presence of cancer at a very early stage to detect.
Here are some of the recommendations of the American Cancer Society to help in early detection of breast cancer in women;
• Women aged 20 and older should begin his BSE (breast self-examination). Any change that results in the chest during the BSE must be reported to the doctor. To learn the proper technique for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE, the technique can be learned from a health professional.
• Women aged 20 and older should receive a CBE (clinical breast exam) every three years.
• Women over 40 should go for a mammogram once a year, despite being otherwise in good health
The symptoms of breast cancer
In many cases, early detection of cancer is not possible and only know of the disease after the onset of signs and symptoms in the body. Some of these symptoms may include:
• lump in the breast or armpit
• Swelling or tenderness
• nipple
• Irritation of the skin of the breast
• Pain or discomfort in the chest
• Change in the size and shape of the breast
It is imperative that all women that detects changes in your chest, signs and symptoms mentioned above, a medical professional immediately for a medical examination.
Treatment
With advances in medical science, there are several treatments available for breast cancer. The method of treatment followed by a patient usually depends on the severity of cancer and the extent to which it has spread in the human body. Some common treatments include:
• Chemotherapy, which involves the use of certain drugs to kill cancer cells. These are given to patients in pill form or intravenously.
• The surgery involves the surgical removal of cancerous tissue
• high energy waves of radiation are concentrated in that part of the body where cancer cells are found to kill cancer cells
• Treatment of hormone therapy that blocks hormones in the body that are needed by cancer cells to grow