How Breast Cancer is Treated

  Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women, and its incidence is increasing year by year. Patients usually visit the clinic when they unintentionally find breast pack fast. Some patients have a better prognosis due to timely detection and treatment. In some cases, the best time for treatment is missed and the prognosis is poor. Therefore, it is especially important to master the correct method of breast self-examination for early detection.  Breast self-examination methods: Breast self-examination is best done one week after each menstrual period. If you are menopausal, check on the first day of each month. Stand in front of the mirror in various positions (arms relaxed at the side, bending forward or hands raised behind the head) to compare whether the bilateral breasts are symmetrical, whether there is nipple invagination and whether there are skin abnormalities. Then, in different positions (lying on the back of the bed, with the arms on the side of the body and behind the head), the fingers are placed flat on the breast and the lumps are checked from the outside to the nipple in a circle; then the lymph nodes in both axillae are checked for enlargement; finally, the nipple is gently squeezed with the thumb and index finger to check for overflow; any suspected abnormality is promptly seen.  Breast cancer is mainly treated by surgery, supplemented by chemotherapy, radiation, hormone, immunotherapy and other comprehensive treatment measures. Before surgery, you should keep your mood relaxed, build up confidence to overcome the disease, and face the disease and treatment with a good attitude. Family members can prepare some high-protein, high-calorie food rich in vitamins and dietary fiber to create favorable conditions for postoperative wound healing.  After the operation, the drainage tube under the flap should be left in place routinely, and the drainage tube should be fixed and kept open to maintain the effective negative pressure; the upper limb on the affected side should be elevated with a soft pillow for 3 days to avoid abduction; when you need the support of others to get out of bed, you can support the upper limb on the healthy side, but not on the affected side. Your nurse-in-charge will formulate an effective and reasonable functional exercise program for you after surgery, so you must implement it carefully.  Functional exercise: 1-2 days after radical breast cancer surgery, start active and passive finger activities, such as fist clenching, finger extension, wrist flexion; 3-5 days after surgery, move your elbow and do elbow flexion exercise; 5-6 days, touch the ipsilateral auricle with your hand; 7 days, touch the contralateral auricle with your hand; 1 week after surgery, climb the wall with your fingers and comb your hair with the affected hand; 10-14 days, you can do rope-sliding exercise, circle exercise and bar-lifting exercise. This will help restore the function of the upper limb on the affected side.  Discharge instructions: Avoid lifting and extracting heavy objects with the affected upper limb for one year. Pregnancy should be avoided for five years to avoid tumor recurrence. Avoid eating high-fat meals.  Patients who have undergone mastectomy may wear prosthetic breast and underwear should not be too tight to meet the needs of self-image. Adhere to chemotherapy or radiotherapy as prescribed by the doctor. Insist on monthly breast self-examination and seek medical consultation if there is any abnormality.