Written by Joanne Gailius, October 2018
Breast Cancer. 1 in 8 of us women in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer in our lifetime. No one can imagine hearing those words. Beyond the initial shock, there is a steep learning curve as well as great hope. So, let's take a deep breath, dive in and learn together. Breast cancer is diagnosed when a malignant tumour grows within the cells of the breasts. It can appear in the milk ducts, the lobules (which produce milk), the lymphatic system and/or within the surrounding breast tissue. Early detection has resulted in earlier diagnosis and treatment. Treatment may include surgery, raditation, chemotherapy, targeted therapies and hormonal therapy. In addition, physios may have special training to help women with the challenges that occur in movement, posture, alignment, lymphatic function, bone health, pelvic health and heart health. Yoga therapy also provides help in breathing, stress management and restorative practices. Creston has these options, along with a group of women who meet monthly to support each other through this journey. What factors make it more likely for us to develop breast cancer? Living in Canada with a relatively high income puts us at risk. If we're between 50 and 69 years old, are Caucasian, have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, family genetic mutations (to the BCRA 1 or BCRA2 gene or a few other specific genetic mutations), have dense breasts, began menstruation at a young age (menarche) and/or late onset of menopause (after age 55), have never been pregnant, already had radiation therapy to the chest area, previously had breast cancer, used hormone replacement therapy for a long time and/or used oral contraceptives for more than 10 years, drink more than one alcoholic drink per day, are obese, are physically inactive and smoke, we're at a higher risk. A great deal of research has shown that deodorants, antiperspirants, tight bras and breast implants are not related to any rise in breast cancer statistics. The important thing to remember is that some of the breast cancer risk factors are not in your control. Breast cancer can simply appear in your life without you having caused it, done anything, inherited anything……it just is. But you can affect so many of these factors by keeping a healthy weight, exercising, quitting smoking and reducing your alcohol consumption on a daily basis. Mammograms. If we're over 50, we can have a mammogram every 2 years in BC. It is a low level radiation picture of your breast. A radiologist will look for any growths, note your breast density and compare to your last mammogram. Your personal monthly breast self examination is important. You know your body and your breasts best. Pay attention if you feel a lump, a swelling/change in size or shape, see skin redness/discolouration, find dimpling/thickening or puckering of the skin, nipple changes/retraction/discharge or enlarged lymph nodes in your armpits. Many breast changes are notcancer, but if your notice one or more of these symptoms that doesn't go away within two weeks, visit your doctor. What happens if you find a lump? Your doctor will usually start with a mammogram. From there, if there is continued concern, you'll have an ultrasound. If concerns continue, you'll have a biopsy which can be of three kinds: surgical (remove part of or all of the lump), fine needle or core biopsy (extracted fluid and cells from the tumour are removed) or a sentinel lymph node biopsy (a radioactive tracer and dye are injected into the tumour so the surgeon can follow the dye to find the lymph nodes connected to the tumour itself). The removed tissue is sent away to a pathology lab for testing. In Breast Cancer 201, we'll talk about: Numbers and Letters: No two breast cancers are alike, but we use Stages (I to IV) and the letters A and B to help us understand the type and stage of cancer that has been found. This guides our treatment options from the day of diagnosis as well as along the treatment road. Treatment Options: Surgery (breast conserving, total/simple mastectomy, radical mastectomy and reconstructive options. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and targeted pharmacological/drug therapies. And more.
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