Breast Cancer and Radiotherapy - Essay Example

The term metastatic is used when breast malignancy spreads to additional sections of the body (National Cancer Institute, 4). When 15 -20 percent of the tumors show a strong presence of the HER2, the condition is referred to as HER2-positive breast cancer. When this cancer is not treated, then extremely poor prognosis which leaves a fast time to lapse or progression compared to HER2 negative breast cancer. Breast cancer happens to be the most common and prevalent cancer among women in the entire world (Hoffmann, 2). About 1.5 million cases are reported every year. These are new cases, leaving a chance for other million of cases that go unreported. Men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer although in extremely rare cases. Breast cancer among men accounts for less than 1 percent of the world.

Breast cancer has got many risk factors. The majority of cases of breast cancer are reported among women who are above 50 years. The cancer is known to occur in families with a history of cancer (National Cancer Institute, 4). It is also common in the late cases of the first pregnancy and among kinsfolk with a history of benign breast ailments and diseases. A long menstrual life, which leads to prolonged exposure to hormones, is classified as a risk factor for this devastating disease. Furthermore, the use of hormone replacement therapy which occurs often after menopause is viewed as another way of exposing the body to the hormones making it vulnerable to breast cancer (Hoffmann, 2).

Lifestyle risk factors are viewed as weighty reasons, which when checked can help control the disease. They include physical inactivity and high alcohol intake. Being obese or overweight after menopause and having a high-fat diet are classified as lifestyle risk factors. To identify these risk factors, there are many epidemiological research studies. However, having one or several risk factors does not mean that one has the disease. These are cases where the victims of breast cancer fail to show any risk factors (National Cancer Institute, 4).

In the early stages of breast cancer, there are no symptoms. However, some of the known symptoms include changes in the nipple. This can lead to the unusual secretion of discharge (National Cancer Institute, 4). This can also be accompanied by rashes around the nipple area. Another symptom is the change in shape or size of the breast. The most commonly known symptom is a hard lump that develops in the armpit of the breast. This lump occurs on one side of the breast or the armpit (National Cancer Institute, 4). Changes in the skin are also common symptoms. This may lead to redness, dimples, and puckering.

There are several treatments associated with breast cancer (Hoffmann, 2). They include radiotherapy, surgery, hormonal therapies, and chemotherapy. The use of these therapies is not standardized. They can be used alone or combined depending on the stage of breast cancer. The surgery includes a mastectomy or lumpectomy. This is the best option or treatment among patients whose cancer has not spread to other body parts. Some of the most vulnerable parts, when cancer begins to spread included the lungs and chest walls.

Radiotherapy is therapy with radiation that is directed to the place of the tumor, and it may be used on top of surgery. The effect of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is to lessen the probability of recurrent cancer. The treatment given after surgery is known as adjuvant therapy. Neoadjuvant therapy is a situation when both radiotherapy and chemotherapy are before surgery. The effect of this treatment is to shrink the tumor. This is supposed to improve the outcome of the surgery. Radiotherapy is also used in cancer victims with advanced, metastatic breast cancer to assist in symptom alleviation.

In conclusion, it is estimated that 226,001 women may end up becoming diagnosed with this illness and that 39,001 of them will be overcome by the end of the year 2012. This is based on NCI cancer statistics. Between the years 2005-2009, 61 years were the median age of the diagnosis of breast cancer. By that period, a 0percentt of breast cancer cases were reported by women under the age of 20. There is an increasingly sizeable number of women who are voluntarily going from breast cancer screening. Read More