If at some point in our body there is the growth of cells that are excessive, there will be a lump or tumor. These tumors can be benign or malignant. A malignant tumor is called cancer. Malignant tumors have distinctive properties, which can spread to other parts of the whole body to develop into new tumors. The spread is called metastasis. Cancers have different characteristics. There is growing rapidly, there is growing not too fast, such as breast cancer.
The first breast cancer cells can grow into a tumor of 1 cm at the time of 8-12 years. Cancer cells are silent on the mammary gland. Breast cancer cells can spread via the bloodstream throughout the body. When the deployment is going, we do not know. Breast cancer cells can hide inside our bodies for years without knowing, and all of a sudden become active malignant tumor or cancer.
Stage of cancer
Stadium I (early stage)
Tumor size of no more than 2 - 2.25 cm, and there is no spread (metastases) in axillary lymph nodes. In stage I, the possibility of complete healing was 70%. To check for the presence or absence of metastases to other parts of the body, must be examined in the laboratory.
Stadium II
The tumor was larger than 2.25 cm and had metastases in lymph nodes in the armpit. At this stage, it is likely to recover only 30-40% depending on the extent of spread of cancer cells. In stage I and II are usually performed surgery to remove cancer cells that have spread to all parts, and after the irradiation operation to ensure there are no more cancer cells are left behind.
Stadium III
The tumor was large enough, the cancer cells have spread throughout the body, and the possibility to live a little. Breast treatment had no meaning anymore. Radiation treatment is usually only done and chemotherapie (administration of drugs that can kill cancer cells). Sometimes also performed surgery to remove the breast that has been severe. This business is only to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the body and to alleviate the suffering of patients as closely as possible.
prevention early
Need to know, that 9 out of 10 women found a lump in her breast. For primary prevention, it can be done alone. Examination should be done after the menstrual period is completed. Before menstruation, breast slightly swollen making it difficult for the examination. The way the examination is as follows:
- Stand in front of the mirror and see if there are abnormalities in the breast. Usually these two are not the same breast, the nipple is not located at the same height. Notice if there are wrinkles, grooves, or the nipples are interested. When there is disorder or blood or discharge from the nipple, immediately go to the doctor.
- Put your arms above your head and look back to the breast.
- Bend to the breast hanging down, and check again.
- Lie in bed and put your left hand behind his head, and a pillow under your left shoulder. Touch the left breast with the palm of the right radius. Check if there are lumps in the breast. Then check whether there is a lump or swelling in the left armpit.
- Check and Touch the nipple and surrounding areas. In general, the mammary glands when touched with your fingers will feel rubbery and easily moved. If there is a tumor, it will feel hard and can not be moved (not to be moved from its place). If you feel there is a lump the size of 1 cm or more, immediately go to the doctor. The earlier treatment, more likely to recover completely
- Do the same for breast and right armpit.
Treatment of advanced
When a lump is found, a doctor may recommend examination mammografie. Mammografie is a breast examination by means of X-rays and an examination of how a simple, painless and only takes 5-10 minutes. The best time to undergo mammografie is a week after menstruation. The trick is to put the breast in turn between two sheets of the base, then X-rays are made from top to bottom and from left to right. The results of this photo will be reviewed by a radiologist. A lump of 0.25 cm was visible on the mammogram.
Another way is with a small operation to remove tissue samples (biopsies) from the lump, and then examined under a microscope anatomic pathology laboratory. If known and confirmed that the lump was cancer, the breast must be removed completely to avoid spreading to other parts of the body.
Who should undergo examination mammografie?
- Women aged over 50 years.
- Women who have a mother or sister who had breast cancer.
- Women who had had removal of one of her breasts. Women in this group should be in close supervision.
- Women who had never bear children. Apparently in this group of breast cancer is common.
