Causes and risk factors:
The exact cause of cancer is not known. Breast cancer is more prominent in females and the risks increases as the age of the patients starts increases. High cholesterol levels and iodine deficiency play a role. Obesity, Genetic factors and a strong family history are the important contributing factors for breast cancer. Drinking alcohol, pregnancy at the elder age, menopause, exposure to radiation, diabetes mellitus and fibrocystic breast changes are certain other predisposing factors. In some cases of cancer the therapeutic procedures like chemotherapy or radiation therapy are unable to completely eradicate the cancer cells. During the initial treatment the cells can get logged or concealed under some healthy cells thus been spared by the radiation therapy. These abnormal cells can then remain passive for a longer time and over a period can become active giving rise to signs and symptoms. the exact cause of this displacement of cells is still not clear.
Clinical presentations:
Affection of one or both the breast which was previously involved is seen. Symptoms appear at the same side of affection. The female revisits the consultant complaining of feeling of a lump or tumor in breast on palpation. The size of the affected breast is large as compared to another, change in color of the breast is seen, the nipple becomes inverted, or retracted peeling or scaling of the skin on the breast occurs. Abnormal discharges from the nipple or discoloration around the nipples is seen. Some other symptoms pertaining to various other systems of the body can also occur in cases of metastasis.
Diagnosis and investigations:
If the doctor suspects that there is recurrence of the cancer, then examination of the breast and certain investigations are advised. Self breast examination by the women points to detection of lump. (Breast self examination technique: Stand in front of the mirror and look at the breast. Notice whether there is any swelling or change in size and shape of the breast. Examine the nipple whether there are any color changes in and around the nipple. Any redness or rash is seen any change in shape and location. The same things must be notice by raising the arms. Each of the breasts should be palpated right from the color bone in lying and standing position also. ) Mammography of the breast, breast ultrasound and MRI scan of the breast are recommended. Fine needle aspiration cytology and biopsy will help in confirming the malignancy. A complete scan (PET scan) of the body along with other investigations can also be recommended for metastasis.
Treatment:
For recurrent breast cancer surgery for removal of the cancerous cells is the main line of treatment. Chemotherapy and radiation are advised. In cases of extensive involvement complete mastectomy is advised. Medications like hormonal therapy is prescribed. Follow up oral chemotherapy is continued for prolonged period in post surgical cases. Outlook for recurrent for breast cancer is not very promising.
Other modes of treatment:
Certain other modes of treatment can also be helpful in coping up the symptoms and preventing the recurrence. Taking into consideration the symptoms in holistic way, homoeopathy can offer a good aid for the relief of the symptoms
Recent updates:
A recent study carried out on stated that Young women who smoke and have been smoking a pack a day for a decade or more have a significantly increased risk of developing the most common type of breast cancer. The study indicates that an increased risk of breast cancer may be another health risk incurred by young women who smoke.
As per the study carried out by the National Cancer Institute Phytochemicals present in green tea change the metabolism of estrogen and can reduce the risk of breast cancer especially in post-menopausal women
Facts and Figures:
As per the WHO statistics most of the women suffering from breast cancer are detected at late stages and every year more than 500,000 women worldwide die due to breast cancer.
