|
Breast cancer is an uncontrolled potentially deadly division of cells in the breast. In the United States of America, breast cancer is the most common woman’s cancer. According to the American cancer society and National Cancer Institute, an average of 1 American woman in 8 will develop breast cancer during her life. Woman in Africa and Asia have lower risk of breast than woman in North America and Europe. A small number of males also develop breast cancer 
A painless lump in the breast is the most common symptoms of the breast cancer. Doctors advise woman to examine their own breasts for lumps every month. A breast x-ray called the “Mammogram”, can detect many cancers before they can be felt. Most doctors recommend that woman begin having annual mammograms at age 40 to 50. Doctors usually begin treatment of breast cancer by surgically removing the tumor. The breast is then treated with radiation to kill stray cancer cells. If the cancer is large, the entire must often be removed.
To determine the best treatment, doctors some cancer cells to see if female hormones make them grow. If the cells respond, doctors may prescribe the drug Tamoxifen to block the action of these hormones. If the hormones have no effect, or if the patient still has menstrual periods, doctors may use chemotherapy. Both of the drugs reduce risks of cancer returning.
|
|
|