Symptoms and Treatments Associated with Breast Cancer in Females

Breast cancer is caused due to the development of cancerous cells in the breast. Mostly known to occur in females, it is considered to be one of the most commonly occurring cancer variants and is known to affect a sizable portion of the worldwide cancer patient population.

Breast cancer is commonly characterized by the formation of a number of skin abnormalities on and around the breasts. Here are some early tell-tale signs of breast cancer to watch out for -

• Formation of dimples
• Fluid oozing out of the nipple
• Strange lumps or inflammations appearing
• Change in the overall shape of the breast
• Growth of red scaly patches of skin
• Sensation of irritation and itchiness

These symptoms are often followed subsequent occurrences of pain in bone, swelling of lymph nodes, fatigue, or yellow skin.

This condition is responsible for a number of health debilitating effects on the body. Commonly occurring in women between the ages of 40-70, breast cancer is known to cause multitudes of health debilitating effects. Here are some of them –

• Changes in physical appearance

Being affected with breast cancer is responsible for a number of alterations in physical appearance. From rampant hair loss, to changes in skin color and texture, to growths and formations of lumps all over the body, these changes are evident of breast cancer.

• Body ache

Breast cancer is responsible for swelling and intense muscular pain throughout the body. This causes great discomfort and leads to negative psychological and emotional effects.

• Fertility inhibition

A common effect of breast cancer is creating problems associated fertility. A woman’s child-bearing ability is known to be greatly inhibited by this condition. In addition, the child may also develop susceptibility to breast cancer due to genetic modification by the cancerous cells.

• Fatigue and loss of sleep

Women suffering from breast cancer are known to suffer from frequent cases of fatigue and be out of breath. She may also suffer from insomnia and be unable to get an adequate amount of rest.

• Depression and emotional stress

With body ache and fatigue being a known symptom in breast cancer, negative emotions such as fear, sadness, anger, and shock are bound to develop gradually. This takes a toll on the mind and the patient falls into the pit of emotional stress and depression.

• Menopause issues

Many vaginal side-effects and subsequent menopause issues are known to arise from breast cancer. Issues affecting the heart, blood vessels, reproductive system, bones, etc. are known to common occur.

Cases of breast cancer are debilitating and may even result in fatality. Here are some treatments and measures to get relief from breast cancer –

Surgery – Surgical treatments ensure that the cancerous cells in the affected tissue are completely eliminated and ensure that the condition is cured. Here are some surgical techniques to treat breast cancer –

1. Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) – The surgeon surgically removes the tumor along with a small amount of infected tissue surrounding it. This surgery stops cancerous growth in the preliminary stages of the cancer
2. Mastectomy – Mastectomy involves the surgical amputation of the entire breast. This is done in cases of Cancer affecting the entire breast. In some cases doubt mastectomy is opted for and both breasts are removed. The patient may undergo another subsequent reconstruction surgery to regrow it.
3. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) - In this surgical procedure, the affected lymph nodes under the arm are removed to prevent the cancer from spreading.
4. Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (ALND) – Here all the cancerous lymph nodes are removed from under the arm.

Non-surgical treatments and therapies – In case the patient does not prefer to undergo surgery, she can opt for a non-surgical therapy or treatment. Here are some non-surgical therapies -

1. Chemotherapy – The cancer cells are killed through medicinal drugs implanted directly into the bloodstream. Sometimes, the chemicals and the drugs may be transplanted through the spinal fluid.
2. Radiation therapy – Rays of intense radiation are applied to the affected breasts, in order to kill the cancerous cells. This also controls the growth of cancerous tumors and the spread of cancer to other tissues.
3. Hormone therapy – The body cells are outfitted with receptors. When 2-3 of the breast cancer hormone receptors are positive, the estrogen hormones in the body attract protein molecules. This expedites the spread of cancer throughput the breast. Hormone therapy prevents this by either lowering estrogen levels, or by preventing them from attaching to the receptors of the cancer cells.

India is known to among one of the countries with the most advanced cancer treatment facilities. Through an assortment of highly advanced anti-cancer treatments, all manner of cancer treatments including treatments for breast cancer are carried out here. Hence breast cancer treatment in India, is highly advanced and recommended to be carried out in slightest case of breast cancer symptoms in women.