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Breast Cancer Treatment Options
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Published: February 15, 2007
No woman wants to test positive for breast cancer and very few women are ever fully prepared to face the challenges of breast cancer. Thankfully, there have been many great advances in breast cancer treatment. According to Dr. Ruth H. Grobstein, a leading breast cancer physician, 98% of stage I breast cancer patients will survive due to early detection.
Breast cancer treatment depends on various factors.
When a mammogram or self examine finds a lump or change in the breast, a biopsy test is done by a physician. The ADAM Health Encyclopedia defines a biopsy as “a procedure that obtains and analyzes a sample of breast tissue for signs of breast cancer or other disorders.” The breast sample may be obtained by a needle or from an incision and may be taken from connective tissue, fat lobules, or milk ducts in the breast.
When a breast biopsy is positive for cancer, additional tests are done to establish as much information as possible about the cancer. These tests determine which breast cancer treatment is most effective. Decisions on the best breast cancer treatment is on a case to case basis.
The treatment for breast cancer relies on the stage and location of the cancer. Breast cancer is categorized in stages. Stage I is the earliest and stage IV is the last. The location shows whether the cancer has spread. Most types of breast cancers are not aggressive. It is important to know that there is time to think over possible breast cancer treatment options. According to Dr. Ruth H. Grobstein, author of “The Breast Cancer Book,” the small lump or thickness in the mammogram test results has most likely been there for a long time. The breast cancer is not dividing every few minutes or hours or even days.
Breast cancer treatment commonly consists of surgery to remove the cancer. Breast cancer radiation treatment and chemotherapy may also be used. The decisions for the best breast cancer treatment are made by the patient and the team of doctors.
The diagnostic team of doctors consists of a radiologist/mammographer, surgeon, and pathologist. The radiologist/mammographer reads the results of the mammogram test. The surgeon and/or a mammographer carry out the biopsy. The pathologist looks at the biopsy specimen and gives the final diagnosis. These three specialists must be well-trained, experienced, and staff members at an excellent hospital. This is very important because they will the ones deciding on the best breast cancer treatment options.
Is it necessary to obtain a second opinion? It is important to be confident about the breast cancer treatment and those working on the case. Everyone has the right to have a second opinion. Do not worry about offending the doctor. In fact, competent physicians appreciate having their opinion confirmed as long as the opinion is acquired from a reputable physician.
Surgery is an effective breast cancer treatment that can remove most cancer in the breast. During surgery all visible cancer cells are removed. However, even if the surgeon removes all the visible cancer during surgery, further treatment may be given to destroy any cancer cells that may still be present.
Breast cancer radiation treatment is done with a large machine called a linear accelerator. This machine produces high-energy radiation that is proven effective in stopping the reproduction of cancer cells. Breast cancer radiation treatment most often does little damage to healthy tissues.
Other treatment options for breast cancer include chemotherapy. Chemotherapy incorporates a combination of drugs used for many cancers to slow the growth of the cancer cells. There is certain drug combinations used for breast cancer treatment. Only a doctor is able to give accurate information on the side effects that are associated with chemotherapy. Common side effects are nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, hair loss, and fatigue. Chemotherapy is treated in cycles followed by a recovery period. The entire process can last several months to a year.
Breast cancer treatment has both physical and emotional side effects. The side effects of breast cancer treatment depends on the person and the severity of the cancer. One woman may have a single surgery to remove one tumor and another woman may have a full mastectomy, chemotherapy, and breast cancer radiation treatment. According to Salynn Boyles, a journalist for WebMD.com, the most often-cited breast cancer treatment effects included fatigue, aches and pains, and sexual dysfunction.
Breast cancer treatment cares for the cancer, not the emotional turmoil. There are many support groups and gatherings that can try to help someone dealing with breast cancer. The best cure is for the soul. Take control of the situation and know that no one has to go through it alone.
Sources:
Boyles, Salynn. "Problems Linger After Breast Cancer Treatment." WebMD Medical News. 2 Mar. 2004. Web MD Inc. 14 Feb. 2007 .
Breast Cancer: Chemotherapy. Web MD. 2006. Web MD Inc. 12 Feb. 2007 .
"Breast Cancer Surgery." Web MD. 17 Nov. 2005. Web MD Inc. 12 Feb. 2007 .
Chan, Md., David. Breast Cancer: Real Questions, Real Answers. New York: Msrlow & Company, 2006.
Breast Biopsy. ADAM Health Encyclopedia. Net Wellness. 31 Oct. 2005. University of Cincinnati. 12 Feb. 2007
Grobstein, M.d., Ph.D., Ruth H. The Breast Cancer Book. New Haven & London: Yale UP, 2005.
National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc. 1991-2007. 12 Feb. 2007 .
Breast cancer treatment depends on various factors.
Related Articles
When a breast biopsy is positive for cancer, additional tests are done to establish as much information as possible about the cancer. These tests determine which breast cancer treatment is most effective. Decisions on the best breast cancer treatment is on a case to case basis.
The treatment for breast cancer relies on the stage and location of the cancer. Breast cancer is categorized in stages. Stage I is the earliest and stage IV is the last. The location shows whether the cancer has spread. Most types of breast cancers are not aggressive. It is important to know that there is time to think over possible breast cancer treatment options. According to Dr. Ruth H. Grobstein, author of “The Breast Cancer Book,” the small lump or thickness in the mammogram test results has most likely been there for a long time. The breast cancer is not dividing every few minutes or hours or even days.
Breast cancer treatment commonly consists of surgery to remove the cancer. Breast cancer radiation treatment and chemotherapy may also be used. The decisions for the best breast cancer treatment are made by the patient and the team of doctors.
The diagnostic team of doctors consists of a radiologist/mammographer, surgeon, and pathologist. The radiologist/mammographer reads the results of the mammogram test. The surgeon and/or a mammographer carry out the biopsy. The pathologist looks at the biopsy specimen and gives the final diagnosis. These three specialists must be well-trained, experienced, and staff members at an excellent hospital. This is very important because they will the ones deciding on the best breast cancer treatment options.
Is it necessary to obtain a second opinion? It is important to be confident about the breast cancer treatment and those working on the case. Everyone has the right to have a second opinion. Do not worry about offending the doctor. In fact, competent physicians appreciate having their opinion confirmed as long as the opinion is acquired from a reputable physician.
Surgery is an effective breast cancer treatment that can remove most cancer in the breast. During surgery all visible cancer cells are removed. However, even if the surgeon removes all the visible cancer during surgery, further treatment may be given to destroy any cancer cells that may still be present.
Breast cancer radiation treatment is done with a large machine called a linear accelerator. This machine produces high-energy radiation that is proven effective in stopping the reproduction of cancer cells. Breast cancer radiation treatment most often does little damage to healthy tissues.
Other treatment options for breast cancer include chemotherapy. Chemotherapy incorporates a combination of drugs used for many cancers to slow the growth of the cancer cells. There is certain drug combinations used for breast cancer treatment. Only a doctor is able to give accurate information on the side effects that are associated with chemotherapy. Common side effects are nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, hair loss, and fatigue. Chemotherapy is treated in cycles followed by a recovery period. The entire process can last several months to a year.
Breast cancer treatment has both physical and emotional side effects. The side effects of breast cancer treatment depends on the person and the severity of the cancer. One woman may have a single surgery to remove one tumor and another woman may have a full mastectomy, chemotherapy, and breast cancer radiation treatment. According to Salynn Boyles, a journalist for WebMD.com, the most often-cited breast cancer treatment effects included fatigue, aches and pains, and sexual dysfunction.
Breast cancer treatment cares for the cancer, not the emotional turmoil. There are many support groups and gatherings that can try to help someone dealing with breast cancer. The best cure is for the soul. Take control of the situation and know that no one has to go through it alone.
Sources:
Boyles, Salynn. "Problems Linger After Breast Cancer Treatment." WebMD Medical News. 2 Mar. 2004. Web MD Inc. 14 Feb. 2007 .
Breast Cancer: Chemotherapy. Web MD. 2006. Web MD Inc. 12 Feb. 2007 .
"Breast Cancer Surgery." Web MD. 17 Nov. 2005. Web MD Inc. 12 Feb. 2007 .
Chan, Md., David. Breast Cancer: Real Questions, Real Answers. New York: Msrlow & Company, 2006.
Breast Biopsy. ADAM Health Encyclopedia. Net Wellness. 31 Oct. 2005. University of Cincinnati. 12 Feb. 2007
Grobstein, M.d., Ph.D., Ruth H. The Breast Cancer Book. New Haven & London: Yale UP, 2005.
National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc. 1991-2007. 12 Feb. 2007 .
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