Breast Cancer

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is breast cancer? Breast cancer starts as a tumor (lump) in the female or male breast. Normally, the cells in the breast divide (split) only when needed. Cancer cells grow and divide without control or order, often making too much tissue. This is called a tumor. Breast cancer cells may spread to other parts of the body. Once it has spread, the cancer cells are harder to control. The chances of surviving breast cancer are better when it is found early.

What causes breast cancer? Caregivers do not know exactly what causes breast cancer. You may be more likely to get breast cancer if:

• You had your first menstrual period before the age of 11 or you are still menstruating by the age of 54.
  
  
• You had your first pregnancy after the age of 40.
  
  
• You have a close family member with breast cancer.
  
  
• You have taken female hormone pills in the past.
  
  
• You have not breast fed or you breast fed for only a short time.
  
  
• You eat foods high in fat, such as fried foods.
  
  
• You weigh more than what is suggested by your caregiver.

What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?

• Early stage: During the early stages of breast cancer, there are usually no symptoms. You may have one or more of the following:
  
  
  • Aching or soreness of your breast.
    
    
  • Bleeding or clear discharge from your nipple.
    
    
  • Swelling or a lump in your breast.
    
    
  • One breast may look different than the other.
    
    
    • The skin may look dimpled or pitted like an orange peel.
      
      
    • Your nipple may look like it has been pushed in.
  
  
• Late stage: If the breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body, you may have the following signs and symptoms:
  
  
  • Back pain.
    
    
  • Breathing problems.
    
    
  • Swollen lymph nodes under your arm.

What are the ways breast cancer may be found and diagnosed?

• Breast self exam: You may find breast lumps or changes by regularly doing a breast self-exam. Although most breast lumps or changes are not cancer, always have breast lumps and changes checked by a caregiver. Ask your caregiver for information about how to do breast self-exams.
  
  
• Mammogram: A mammogram is an x-ray of your breasts. It can help find early cancers that are too small to be felt during your breast self-exam. It can also be done to check a lump that was found during a self-breast exam or medical checkup. You should have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years, starting at age 40. After you turn 50 years old, you should have a yearly mammogram. Have your mammogram within the first 2 weeks following your menstrual period.
  
  
• Ultrasound: Sound waves are used to show pictures of your breast and the surrounding area on a TV-like screen.
  
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging: This test is also called an MRI. It allows caregivers to see inside your body in more detail.
  
  
• Biopsy: You may need a biopsy of the tumor or lump in your breast. A biopsy is when all or part of the tumor or lump is removed. The tissue is then sent to the lab for testing.

How is breast cancer treated? Breast cancer is treated differently depending on whether it has spread to other parts of the body. Two or more kinds of treatment will often be used together.

• If the cancer has not spread , the most common treatment is surgery, followed by radiotherapy.
  
  
• If the cancer has spread , you will receive a combination of surgery, anticancer medicines, and hormone medicines.

Where can I go for support and more information? Breast cancer is a life-changing disease for you and your family. Accepting that you have breast cancer is hard. You and those close to you may feel scared, depressed, angry, or sad. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a cancer support group. This is a group of people who also have breast cancer. Contact the following for more information:

• American Cancer Society
  Phone: 1-800-227-2345
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.org
  

• National Cancer Institute
  Phone: 1-800-422-6237
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.gov
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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