Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women worldwide. Pollution, unhealthy lifestyle, exposure to radiation, genetics, and other factors are responsible for the rise in breast cancer cases every year. With the advancement in treatment options and increased awareness, more women survive

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women worldwide. Pollution, unhealthy lifestyle, exposure to radiation, genetics, and other factors are responsible for the rise in breast cancer cases every year. With the advancement in treatment options and increased awareness, more women survive this cancer than before.

About the Treatment

What are the Signs and Symptoms?

Women's breasts experience many changes over the years, from puberty to menopause. The factors affecting these changes are mainly hormonal such as pre-post pregnancy or pre-post menopause period. Thus, it is more important to identify signs associated with a cancerous growth in breasts. These symptoms include:

• Presence of lump or lumpiness, particularly in one of the breasts

• Discharge from nipples

• Change in nipples such as redness

• Change in shape or size of the breast(s)

• Constant and unusual pain

• Change in the skin such as redness, rash, dimpling of the skin, also called orange peel skin

• Unusual thickening in some area of the breast   

How is it Diagnosed?

Do not worry if you notice any such changes at first, in most cases will not be due to cancer. However, it is better to get it checked by your doctor. 

First, a physical examination will be done to check the presence of any abnormal growth or lump.

Next, your doctor will conduct a mammogram to study details of breast tissues. It is a breast X-ray known as magnetic resonance imaging).

Based on the tests, your doctor may order a biopsy wherein a small sample of affected breast tissue is collected and sent to the laboratory for further analysis.

If the result of these tests is positive, your doctor will refer you to an oncologist (cancer specialist) for further treatment.

What are the different stages involved?

The stage of cancer ranges from 0 to IV (4). These stages are indicative of whether the cancer is confined to breasts or has spread to other organs.

Stage 0: Carcinoma in situ or in other words, no cancer cells only abnormal growth.

Stage I: This is an early stage, small-size tumor in confined area

Stage II and III: Large sized tumor and cancer has spread to lymph nodes and nearby tissues.

Stage IV: Metastasis cancer indicates that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

What are the treatment options available?

There are many treatment options available and based on the following factors, your doctor will recommend how aggressive treatment is required:

• Stage of cancer

• How quickly the cancer is spreading

• Hormone receptor test

• Your age and health status

Surgical approach

1. Lymph nodes removal

The presence of cancer in lymph nodes increases the risk of spreading it to other parts. Depending upon the size and growth of cancer, your doctor will remove one or more nodes. 

2. Breast conservation surgery (lumpectomy)

The aim of this surgery is to retain the maximum breast part while removing only cancerous growth. 

3. Mastectomy

Mastectomy is the surgical removal (partial or complete) of one or both breasts for the invasive stage of cancer. This is performed to prevent any recurrence of cancer in the future, particularly for BRCA (BReast CAncer gene) – positive patients.

4. Chemotherapy

This treatment approach involves the use of anti-cancer drugs given in specific dosages and at specific intervals. The dosage and time interval between the dosages is decided by medical oncologists based on your age, health status, body weight, and growth of cancer.

5. Radiation therapy

This is a type of targeted light therapy wherein energy in the form of heat or light is used to kill cancer cells. 

6. Hormonal therapy

This is used in case of hormonal sensitive cancer and it can effectively control the growth and progression of cancer cells. Hormonal therapy is often given as an adjuvant treatment to prevent the recurrence of cancer in the future.

What is the Procedure?

Your doctor will consider all the factors, including the size of the tumor, how far the cancer has spread, what is Estrogen Receptor (ER) status, the number of infected lymph nodes, and accordingly, the treatment plan is devised. Stage I requires surgery followed by radiation therapy, and chemotherapy is optional. For stage 2 and 3, a combination of chemotherapy and other treatments are recommended. Same in case of stage IV, wherein doctors may suggest targeted therapy if you are HER2 positive.  

Your oncologist will consider all the factors and recommend a suitable treatment option or combination of two or more treatments suitable for you.