Getting a positive breast cancer diagnosis is understandably unsettling. It is natural to have questions about what caused it and what treatment paths lie ahead. Understanding potential risk factors and treatment options can empower patients and their loved ones during this challenging time.
Causes
We know that when the DNA of the cells in the breast tissue changes, the cells start to grow abnormally and don’t die as often. This is when the cells turn malignant. The exact causes of breast cancer often remain a mystery, but researchers have identified several risk factors that can increase the chance of developing the disease.
Following are some of the risk factors for breast cancer:
- Age: Women above the age of 50 are more likely to develop breast cancer.
- Genetics: Inherited mutations in certain genes, like BRCA1 and BRCA2, significantly raise breast cancer risk. Family history also plays a role, with having close relatives with breast cancer increasing your chances.
- Hormonal factors: Exposure to oestrogen over longer periods can elevate the risk. This includes factors like starting periods early, having menopause later, and using hormone replacement therapy after menopause.
- Lifestyle factors: Obesity, particularly after menopause, can influence oestrogen levels and raise risk. Heavy alcohol consumption and certain dietary patterns might also contribute to the development of the disease.
- Reproductive history: Having children later in life or never having children, as well as dense breast tissue, can be associated with increased risk.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to radiation or certain chemicals might be a risk factor for breast cancer, but the evidence is currently limited.
Having a risk factor doesn’t guarantee that one will get breast cancer, and many women with no known risk factors develop the disease. Those at risk often ask questions such as how to prevent breast cancer. It is important to note that while some factors such as lifestyle factors can be controlled, many are uncontrollable. Regular health checkups can help identify the cancer in its early stages.
Breast Cancer Treatment Options
The goal of breast cancer treatment is to eliminate the cancer, minimise its spread, and reduce the chances of it coming back. For the best outlook, patients should report early signs of breast cancer to an oncologist. Some of the most common breast cancer treatments include:
- Surgery
Surgery is a primary treatment option for breast cancer, and the specific surgical approach depends on various factors, such as the type and stage of the cancer.
- Lumpectomy
A lumpectomy, also known as breast-conserving surgery or partial mastectomy, is a surgical procedure commonly used in breast lump treatment during the early stage of the disease. This procedure involves the removal of the tumour along with a surrounding margin of normal breast tissue.
This approach is particularly suitable for smaller tumours relative to the size of the breast. This option can be particularly appealing for individuals who prioritise preserving breast appearance and reducing recovery time.
- Mastectomy
A mastectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of the entire breast. Some of the variations in mastectomy are given below:
- Total Mastectomy: This procedure involves the removal of the entire breast, including the breast tissue, nipple, and areola.
- Modified Mastectomy: In addition to removing the entire breast, the surgeon also removes some of the lymph nodes under the arm (axillary lymph nodes).
- Double Mastectomy: Some individuals, especially those with a high risk of developing breast cancer due to genetic factors, may choose to undergo a double mastectomy, which involves the removal of both breasts. This decision is often made to reduce the risk of cancer development in the unaffected breast. This surgical option is chosen for various reasons, including advanced-stage breast cancer, large tumour size, multiple tumours within the breast, or when a person opts for a more aggressive approach to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
Ofcourse, there are risks with breast cancer surgeries like any other surgical procedures. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of surgery as a treatment for their breast cancer for informed decision-making.
There are other surgeries related to breast cancer treatment as well. For example, a sentinel node biopsy is where some lymph nodes are removed and sent to a pathology lab for examination to confirm the presence of cancer, assess the margin status (to ensure no cancer cells are left at the edges of the removed tissue), and evaluate lymph node involvement. There is also breast reconstruction surgery to help redesign the natural shape of the breast using tissues from your body, implants, or both.
2. Radiation
Radiation therapy is a common and effective treatment for breast cancer. It involves the use of high-energy rays to target and destroy cancer cells in the breast or surrounding tissues.
Radiation therapy is typically employed after breast cancer surgery to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
- External Beam Radiation
In this approach, high-energy X-rays are generated from a machine outside the body and precisely directed towards the targeted area, such as the breast or chest wall. Patients typically undergo daily sessions over several weeks.
External beam radiation is commonly employed after lumpectomy to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence by treating the entire breast or after mastectomy to address the chest wall.
- Internal Radiation
Internal radiation, or brachytherapy, involves placing a radioactive source directly into or near the tumour site. This technique offers a more localised approach compared to external beam radiation.
In interstitial brachytherapy, radioactive seeds or catheters are inserted directly into the breast tissue, while intracavitary brachytherapy places a radioactive source within a balloon or applicator temporarily positioned inside the lumpectomy cavity.
Brachytherapy is often used for partial breast irradiation, delivering radiation to a specific area.
3. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs, administered intravenously or orally, circulate throughout the bloodstream, reaching cancer cells across the body. This systemic approach proves particularly valuable for treating breast cancer that has spread beyond the initial tumour.
Chemotherapy plays a pivotal role in both neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, administered before surgery, aims to shrink tumours, facilitating surgical removal. In the adjuvant setting, chemotherapy is employed post-surgery to eliminate residual cancer cells and mitigate the risk of recurrence.
While highly effective, chemotherapy can induce side effects due to its impact on healthy cells. Common side effects include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and mouth sores.
4. Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy, also known as endocrine therapy, is a standard treatment for certain types of breast cancer. It is particularly effective for hormone receptor-positive breast cancers, where the growth of cancer cells is aided by hormones like oestrogen or progesterone.
In hormone therapy, medicines are used to block hormones related to the cancerous cells in the breast. The duration of this breast cancer treatment, typically spanning several years, depends on the specific characteristics of the cancer and the overall treatment plan.
Often used in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, or targeted therapies, hormone therapy showcases its efficacy in enhancing survival rates and improving outcomes for those with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
5. Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy has revolutionised the landscape of breast cancer treatment, offering precision in addressing specific molecular and genetic factors driving cancer growth.
Particularly impactful in HER2-positive breast cancer, drugs used in targeted therapy specifically target the overexpression of HER2 receptors, curtailing the growth of cancer cells.
6. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising frontier in the realm of breast cancer treatment, particularly for the challenging subtype of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Immune checkpoint inhibitors target proteins like PD-L1, crucial for cancer cells in evading immune responses.
Researchers are actively exploring the effectiveness of immunotherapy through clinical trials in various breast cancer subtypes, including HER2-positive and hormone receptor-positive cancers.
Conclusion
It’s crucial to remember that every breast cancer case is unique, making it essential to get the right diagnosis and treatment. Schedule a consultation with a breast cancer specialist at a trusted hospital in India, where you will benefit from advice by highly experienced doctors, accurate diagnosis and a well-discussed treatment plan, ensuring the best possible care. Do not hesitate to discuss your concerns about the breast cancer treatment options mentioned above.
Disclaimer:
This article has been written for information purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice by a qualified doctor or other health care professional. The author is not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any form of damages whatsoever resulting from the use (or misuse) of information contained in or implied by the information in this article. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis, personalised treatment, and recommendations tailored to your individual health needs.
