Breast Cancer
The most common cancer among women worldwide is breast cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer death in developed countries after lung cancer. In less developed countries, it is the most common cause of death from cancer. There is an increased risk of breast cancer with age, but no age is immune to it. Before puberty, it is extremely rare. Breast cancer screening and detection
From the age of 40, regular mammogram and ultrasound screening is recommended to detect the disease at an early stage, thereby increasing the chances of successful treatment.
Breast cancer symptoms
There is usually no pain associated with a lump in the breast, but it may be painful at times. Other symptoms include a bloody or watery discharge from the nipple. Some people may also have a lump in the armpit.
Types of breast cancer
Breast cancer does not exist as a singular entity. There are various subtypes identified by IHC (immunohistochemistry) on needle biopsy specimens. Generally, they are divided into:
1.
ER/PR (Estrogen and progesterone
receptor) positive
2.
ER/PR negative
3.
HER2 enriched
4.
Triple negative breast cancers
Best Breast cancer treatment doctor in Delhi
In most cases, breast lumps are benign, however, it is important not to overlook the ones that are cancerous. Consult with a doctor in order to determine whether the lump is cancerous or not.
The diagnosis is usually made with a triple assessment that includes a clinical examination of the lump, imaging with ultrasound and mammography, and a needle biopsy of the lump. There are times when imaging and biopsies do not agree, or where the biopsy results are inconclusive. In such cases, the lump needs to be removed surgically. Once cancer is diagnosed, the next step is to determine what stage it is at, that is, whether or not it has spread to other organs. A blood test, an ultrasound of the abdomen, a chest X-ray,
and a bone scan are conducted for this. To determine a patient's stage, a
PET-CT is performed.