Survival rates of breast cancer patients
The survival rate of breast cancer has a great relationship with the early detection. According to the American Cancer Society study, the five-year survival rate for patients with type I breast cancer reaches 88%, while the higher the grade, the lower the survival rate, and the five-year survival rate for type IV breast cancer is only 15%.
Breast Cancer Surgery
There are many types of breast cancer surgery, such as: removal of the surrounding lump (lumpectomy or breast-conserving surgery), the entire breast (mastectomy.) . It is best to discuss the pros and cons of these procedures, and your doctor can decide what is right for you.
Radiation therapy for breast cancer
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It can be used after breast cancer surgery to remove any remaining cancer cells in the tumor site. It can also be used to treat cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Side effects can be fatigue, swelling or a sunburn-like sensation at the treatment site.
Chemotherapy for breast cancer
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells anywhere in the body, and these drugs are usually used in stage IV. Post-operative chemotherapy can reduce the likelihood of cancer recurrence. In patients with advanced breast cancer, chemotherapy helps control the growth of the tumor. Possible side effects include hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and a higher risk of infection.
Hormone therapy for breast cancer
Hormone therapy is an effective treatment for women with ER- or PR-positive breast cancer. These tumors grow very quickly because they can react with estrogen or progesterone. Hormone therapy then blocks this effect. This is the most common way to stop the cancer from coming back after breast cancer surgery. It can also be used to reduce the likelihood of cancer in women at high risk of developing it.
Targeted drugs for breast cancer
Targeted therapy is targeted to kill tumor cells. For example, women with HER2-positive breast cancer have too much of the HER2 protein. Targeted therapy stops this protein from promoting the growth of cancer cells. These drugs are often used in combination with chemotherapy.
Life after treatment
There is no doubt that cancer can change a person’s life. Wearing less during treatment and having more trouble with daily tasks and social activities can lead to feelings of isolation. Friends and family will be very supportive, they help you go help with chores and talk to you, and you are not alone. Many people also choose to join a support group – either locally or online.
Breast reconstruction
Many patients with metastatic breast cancer choose to undergo reconstructive surgery. Resurface the skin, nipple and breast tissue. Have a breast implant or tissue from elsewhere in the body, such as the stomach. Reconstruction can be chosen to coincide with the resection or several months after surgery.
Breast Cancer: Why Me?
The most obvious risk factor for breast cancer is gender. Men will too, but the probability is about 1/100th that of women. other risk factors include being over 55 years old, having a family history, and marrying late. But remember, as many as 80% of women with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
Breast Cancer Genes
Some women have a high risk of developing breast cancer because of an associated genetic predisposition. The most common breast cancer genes are called BRCA1 and BRCA2, and women with mutations in these genes have about an 80% chance of developing breast cancer at some point in their lives. There are other genes that have also been linked to breast cancer.
The main thing is your own control of risk factors
Being overweight, exercising too little, and drinking more than one alcoholic beverage a day can increase your risk of breast cancer. Birth control pills and postmenopausal hormone therapy can also increase your risk. However, the risk is also eliminated when these medications are stopped. A healthy lifestyle has been found to be beneficial among survivors. And recent studies suggest that physical activity may help reduce the risk of recurrence, something that makes it easier to do to prevent breast cancer.