Breast cancer may develop in the bones, lungs, liver, brain, and even the eyes. Some women experience bone pain when the cancerous cells spread to these areas. Other women may experience pain in their breasts, but these symptoms are not the same as breast cancer. In this article, we will discuss the symptoms of breast cancer and how to detect them.
The latest statistics from the National Cancer Institute indicate that nearly one in eight women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. Estimates suggest that 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. by 2022. The number of women diagnosed with noninvasive breast cancer is estimated to be 51,400 in the same period. Although breast cancer can occur at any age after puberty, the number of women diagnosed with this disease will increase as they approach their 40s.
Biological agents such as chemotherapy are used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer. These drugs target the cancer cells’ ability to grow and divide. If these drugs are given after surgery, they are called adjuvant chemotherapy. Hormone-blocking therapy is another treatment option for estrogen-sensitive breast cancer. This form of chemotherapy is used to prevent the cancer cells from recurrence after surgery. This treatment is sometimes used only in people who are not good candidates for a hormone-blocking drug.
MRIs are another test used to detect breast cancer. They combine several images of the breast. MRIs are also used as follow-ups to mammograms and ultrasounds. These tests are also useful in screening women at increased risk for breast cancer. Further testing may include fine needle aspiration, which is a needle-like procedure used to obtain a sample of breast tissue. For some women, a local anesthetic may be necessary for comfort. For others, a MRI or CT scan may be used to detect the cancer.
The next step is lymph node biopsy. Lymph nodes are part of the lymph nodes located under the arm. This procedure can be performed in either an invasive or in situ fashion. An image-guided biopsy can also help the doctor determine the type of tumor. The type of tumor, whether it is lobular or ductal, and its margins, can all be measured and compared. The hormone receptors in the tumor will inform the doctor whether progesterone or estrogen make it grow. This will determine the treatment options for your cancer.
Surgical procedures for breast cancer include lumpectomy or mastectomy. A lumpectomy may be the best option when the tumor is small and cannot spread to other areas of the body. A mastectomy can remove the whole breast or a portion of it. Some forms of mastectomy also remove lymph nodes in the chest wall and may involve the removal of some of the breast’s fatty tissue. If the cancer has spread to lymph nodes, radiotherapy may be necessary after the surgery.
