Everything you need to know about breast cancer
Introduction:
In one of the ancient Egyptian papyrus leaves dating back to around 3000 B.C., a Pharaonic doctor talks about 8 cases of breast cancer he tried to eradicate, and then concludes that this disease is untreatable! Today, after 5,000 years of bitter struggle, people still consider breast and other cancers to be a death sentence, and they are often right.
As we have said, the normal cell in the breast turns into an abnormal malignant cell when its genetic material is disrupted as a result of exposure to genetic or environmental cancers, and it is now confirmed that environmental causes play the most important role in the occurrence of breast cancer and most other carcinogens (90% of Causes of cancer, at the top of the list of these environmental causes: smoking, unhealthy food, unhealthy lifestyle, prolonged exposure to estrogen such as early onset of the menstrual cycle, delayed menopause or delayed life expectancy at the first pregnancy, but the genetic causes of cancer do not Over 10%. In the last 20 years, more than 30 genes responsible for genetic cancers have been identified, some of which are oncogenes and some tumor suppressor genes, although most genetic cancers are caused by the absence or defect of the carcinogenic genes, not the Because of the effect of carcinogenic genes. In breast cancer, the most common carcinogenic genes: BRCA1, BRCA2, and the most famous carcinogenic genes: (P53).
Given the seriousness and difficulty of treating breast cancer, especially if it is at an advanced stage, early detection plays an important role in improving the warning of the disease and giving patients greater hope of recovery, so cancer associations and organizations issue periodic recommendations on early detection methods.
Recommendations of the American Cancer Society on screening and procedures for early detection of breast cancer ACS Guidelines for Early Detection of Cancer Breast Cancer:
One of the most important signs and symptoms that may indicate breast cancer is that there is a new severe mass in the breast and some medical references say: Every solid mass in the breast is cancer until proven otherwise!
However, the most important signs to pay attention to are:
• Swelling, immensity or mass in one part or all of the breast.
• Pain in the breast or nipple.
• Shrink or the nipple is inward.
• Blood or serological detachments of the nipple.
• Skin changes such as redness, peeling or cracking.
Sometimes breast cancer has passed on to the axillary lymph nodes, or adjacent organs such as the lungs before any of the previous symptoms appear.
Even with the periodic and routine use of mammography, it remains for clinical examination by a doctor, a self-examination and any symptoms observed by the patient that is of great importance in detecting this disease as early as possible.
When breast cancer is suspected, either through periodic mammogram examination or when any suspicious symptoms appear, you should see the specialist, and to confirm the diagnosis or deny it, the doctor begins a series of procedures starting with the detailed medical story and careful clinical examination, and then moves on to the radial surveys that Echo may include the breast, sometimes ct, and magnetic resonance (MRI) of the breast and chest, and may eventually resort to a biopsy that may be either through a very small needle (FNA) or a mastectomy performed by the surgeon and removes the suspicious mass, leaving a proper safety margin. The tissue removed under a microscope is studied by a pathologist to give the definitive and definitive answer whether this mass is cancer or not.
After confirming the diagnosis, an integrated medical team develops the treatment plan and this treatment varies radically from patient to patient depending on the type of cancer and the extent of its spread, and according to the general health status of the patient, if the tumor is detected at the beginning before it grows in size and spread; Enough on its own in the majority of cases. If the tumor is diffuse and transferred to other organs, surgical treatment is palliative with the involvement of other types of treatments.
Although Surgery and Radiation therapy are the oldest types of it treatments, they are still the primary treatment and most importantly, while other treatments such as Chemotherapy and Hormone therapy (Hormone therapy and Target Target) Therapy) and immunology () still have an auxiliary and supportive role but are not essential, and we leave the detail in these different types and their respective forms to specialists.
Of course, there has been a significant development in recent years in understanding the causes and mechanisms of this disease, early detection methods, diagnostic methods and treatment methods, as well as an important development in women's public awareness of this incurable disease, all of which have led to the recovery rate in the countries. The development is about 90%! Unfortunately, this development is still minimal and limited in the Arab region.
This series of short information, articles, and illustrations presented by The I Believe Science Project this month is an attempt to spread more awareness and knowledge about the most common cancers in women.
Read more about this topic here:
In one of the ancient Egyptian papyrus leaves dating back to around 3000 B.C., a Pharaonic doctor talks about 8 cases of breast cancer he tried to eradicate, and then concludes that this disease is untreatable! Today, after 5,000 years of bitter struggle, people still consider breast and other cancers to be a death sentence, and they are often right.
Breast cancer begins, as with other malignant tumors at the microscopic cellular level, when the living cell is exposed to environmental or genetic mutations sufficiently and long enough, these cancers trigger changes in the cell nucleus at the genetic material level ( DNA and RNA, thus transforming the natural cell into an abnormal malignant cell, and begin to grow and reproduce in an out-of-control way that is contrary to the previously established cellular life cycle and death.
Cancer can begin in any part or component of the breast, but the majority of malignant tumors in the breast begin in ducts, small ducts that transport milk produced by glands to the nipple.
Causes and factors:
As we have said, the normal cell in the breast turns into an abnormal malignant cell when its genetic material is disrupted as a result of exposure to genetic or environmental cancers, and it is now confirmed that environmental causes play the most important role in the occurrence of breast cancer and most other carcinogens (90% of Causes of cancer, at the top of the list of these environmental causes: smoking, unhealthy food, unhealthy lifestyle, prolonged exposure to estrogen such as early onset of the menstrual cycle, delayed menopause or delayed life expectancy at the first pregnancy, but the genetic causes of cancer do not Over 10%. In the last 20 years, more than 30 genes responsible for genetic cancers have been identified, some of which are oncogenes and some tumor suppressor genes, although most genetic cancers are caused by the absence or defect of the carcinogenic genes, not the Because of the effect of carcinogenic genes. In breast cancer, the most common carcinogenic genes: BRCA1, BRCA2, and the most famous carcinogenic genes: (P53).
Some of the criteria for genetic cancer include:
- Repeat the same condition in relatives: breast cancer in mother, daughter, and sisters.
The appearance of the tumor earlier than usual: breast cancer under the age of 30.
Cancer occurs on both sides: breast cancer in both breasts.
The incidence of cancer in the sex least affected: breast cancer in males.
The appearance of cancer in multiple organs: breast, bone and brain cancer in the event of a defect of the gene (p53).
Qualified factors or risk factors are anything that increases the likelihood of a person developing cancer;Cancer is its own risk factors and the most important risk factors for breast cancer:
- Being a woman: Women are 100 times more likely to develop breast cancer than men.
- (Getting older): Most cases of breast cancer are diagnosed over the age of 55.
- Possession of certain inherited genes: 10% of breast cancer is caused by carcinogenic genes (BRCA1) and BRCA2).
- Family history: Having a first-degree relative with breast cancer increases the risk of infection threefold.
- White race: Carries a slightly higher risk of breast cancer than Africans.
- Hormone therapy menopause: Estrogen therapy has been used for many years in postmenopausal women to relieve symptoms that may occur at this age, but studies have subsequently shown that it is an important risk factor for breast cancer.
- Radiation: Exposure to the breast or chest is an important risk factor for breast cancer.
- Start the monthly cycle (menstruation) before the age of 12, or delay menopause beyond the age of 55.
- Infertility or delayed pregnancy (first child) beyond the age of 30.
- Lifestyle: Smoking, alcohol, unhealthy food, obesity and lack of daily physical activity are mentioned.
Early detection of breast cancer:
Given the seriousness and difficulty of treating breast cancer, especially if it is at an advanced stage, early detection plays an important role in improving the warning of the disease and giving patients greater hope of recovery, so cancer associations and organizations issue periodic recommendations on early detection methods.
Recommendations of the American Cancer Society on screening and procedures for early detection of breast cancer ACS Guidelines for Early Detection of Cancer Breast Cancer:
- All adult women should have sufficient awareness and knowledge about breast cancer and its causes, about the appearance, appearance, and feel of the breast, about mammogram imaging and methods of breast self-examination, and should see a doctor in case of any suspicious changes or signs.
- Women between the ages of 40 and 44 are preferred to perform a mammogram annually.
- Women between the ages of 45 and 54 must perform a mammogram annually.
- Women over 55 must perform a mammogram every two years.
- Mammograms continue to be performed as long as the woman is healthy and has a life expectancy of more than 10 years.
- Women with a family history of breast cancer or qualified genetic factors should then include MRI with mammograms, and in special cases, additional surveys can be performed according to the doctor's opinion.
Symptoms and diagnosis:
One of the most important signs and symptoms that may indicate breast cancer is that there is a new severe mass in the breast and some medical references say: Every solid mass in the breast is cancer until proven otherwise!
However, the most important signs to pay attention to are:
• Swelling, immensity or mass in one part or all of the breast.
• Pain in the breast or nipple.
• Shrink or the nipple is inward.
• Blood or serological detachments of the nipple.
• Skin changes such as redness, peeling or cracking.
Sometimes breast cancer has passed on to the axillary lymph nodes, or adjacent organs such as the lungs before any of the previous symptoms appear.
Even with the periodic and routine use of mammography, it remains for clinical examination by a doctor, a self-examination and any symptoms observed by the patient that is of great importance in detecting this disease as early as possible.
When breast cancer is suspected, either through periodic mammogram examination or when any suspicious symptoms appear, you should see the specialist, and to confirm the diagnosis or deny it, the doctor begins a series of procedures starting with the detailed medical story and careful clinical examination, and then moves on to the radial surveys that Echo may include the breast, sometimes ct, and magnetic resonance (MRI) of the breast and chest, and may eventually resort to a biopsy that may be either through a very small needle (FNA) or a mastectomy performed by the surgeon and removes the suspicious mass, leaving a proper safety margin. The tissue removed under a microscope is studied by a pathologist to give the definitive and definitive answer whether this mass is cancer or not.
Treatment of breast cancer:
After confirming the diagnosis, an integrated medical team develops the treatment plan and this treatment varies radically from patient to patient depending on the type of cancer and the extent of its spread, and according to the general health status of the patient, if the tumor is detected at the beginning before it grows in size and spread; Enough on its own in the majority of cases. If the tumor is diffuse and transferred to other organs, surgical treatment is palliative with the involvement of other types of treatments.
Although Surgery and Radiation therapy are the oldest types of it treatments, they are still the primary treatment and most importantly, while other treatments such as Chemotherapy and Hormone therapy (Hormone therapy and Target Target) Therapy) and immunology () still have an auxiliary and supportive role but are not essential, and we leave the detail in these different types and their respective forms to specialists.
Is there hope?
Of course, there has been a significant development in recent years in understanding the causes and mechanisms of this disease, early detection methods, diagnostic methods and treatment methods, as well as an important development in women's public awareness of this incurable disease, all of which have led to the recovery rate in the countries. The development is about 90%! Unfortunately, this development is still minimal and limited in the Arab region.
This series of short information, articles, and illustrations presented by The I Believe Science Project this month is an attempt to spread more awareness and knowledge about the most common cancers in women.
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