| Basic Information |
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| Description |
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A malignant growth of breast tissue. Breast cancer spreads to nearby lymph
glands, lungs, pleura, bone (especially the skull), pelvis and liver. Breast
cancer is rare before age 30, and the peak ages are from 45 to 65. The incidence
increases after menopause
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| Frequent Signs and Symptoms |
- Swelling or lump in the breast
- Vague discomfort in the breast without true pain
- Retraction of the nipple
- Distorted breast contour
- Dimpled or pitted skin in the breast
- Enlarged nodes under the arm (late stages)
- Bloody discharge from the nipple (rare)
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| Causes |
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Unknown
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| Risk Increases With |
- Women over 50
- Women who have not had children or who conceived in the late fertile years
- Family history of breast cancer (especially mother or sister)
- Previous benign tumors of the breast (fibrocystic disease)
- Early menstruation; late menopause; first pregnancy after age 30
- Previous breast cancer in one breast
- Radiation exposure
- Patients with endometrial or ovarian cancer
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| Preventive Measure |
- Monthly self-examination of breasts for signs of cancer
- Obtain professional examinations regularly
- Obtain a baseline mammogram between ages 35 to 40. Have mammograms every
1 to 2 years to age 49 and annually after 50
- Eat a well-balanced diet that is low in fat. (Studies are inconclusive
about high-fat and breast cancer risks in humans)
- If you are pregnant, consider breast-feeding your baby. Women who have
breast-fed have a lower incidence of breast cancer
- A drug, such as tamoxifen, may be prescribed for women at high risk for
breast cancer
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| Expected Outcome |
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Breast cancer is curable if diagnosed and treated early. The 10-year survival
rate is related to the clinical stage of the disease at diagnosis
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| Possible Complications |
- Spread to vital organs if not treated early
- Adverse reactions to anticancer drugs and radiation
- Postsurgical complications (wound infection, limited shoulder motion)
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| Treatment/Post Procedure Care |
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| General Measures |
- Diagnostic tests will include a physical exam, biopsy, and mammogram.
Following the initial diagnosis, ultrasound, bone scan, chest x-ray, liver
scan are often performed
- The decision for treatment is very complex, and often confusing. Be sure
all options are explained and that the risks and benefits of each are thoroughly
understood. It is important for you to be an informed and participating
member of your health care team
- Surgery (mastectomy) to remove the lump, or breast, lymph glands, and
lymphatic channels and muscles under the breast
- Other treatment options include radiation therapy, hormonal or chemotherapy
and bone marrow transplant (still experimental)
- Additional information available from: American Cancer Society, 1599 Clifton
Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329, telephone (800) ACS-2345; web site www.cancer.org
- National Cancer Institute Cancer Information Service at (800) 4 CANCER,
web site www.nci.nih.gov
- Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization Hotline (800) 221-2141
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| Medication |
- For minor discomfort during treatment, you may use nonprescription drugs
such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin
- Other drugs that may be prescribed:
- Pain relievers
- Anticancer drugs, such as fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate,
chlorambucil, vincristine, doxorubicin or melphalan
- Hormones (male and female)
- Cortisone drugs
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| Activity |
- If surgery is performed, resume your normal activities gradually
- Exercise for rehabilitation following surgery will depend on how much
tissue has been removed and your general physical condition
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| Diet |
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No special diet. Maintain good nutrition
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| Notify Your Healthcare Provider If |
- You or a family member discovers a lump or other change in the breast
- The following occur after treatment or surgery:
- Nausea, or vomiting, fever, swelling in the arm
- Pain that is not controlled by medication
- New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce
side effects
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