Breast cancer is defined as the irregular and uncontrolled growth of cells in breast. Breast cancer is said to be one of the main cause of death of women all over.

Symptoms of breast cancer: Some of the symptoms which you can mark yourself by examining your breast.

There may be some changes in the size or shape of the breast.

Examine your breast to find if there is presence of any lump.

The area around the breast can get swollen and red.

If you find any of the above mentioned symptoms then do pay a visit to your doctor for further check up.

Diagnosis

When you visit your doctor she will ask you about your family history to find whether anyone is suffering from breast cancer in your family and will do a routine physical examination. If your doctor feels the need for further test then you will be advised to undergo mammogram and biopsy. It is advisable that a woman should undergo regular physical tests to rule out the possibility of getting having cancer.

Mammogram: Mammogram is the best way to find out any possibility of breast cancer and is the X-ray of the tissues of the breast. If there is any cancerous growth then it is being shown in mammogram. When any cancerous cells are found then the doctor will do for further tests to confirm.

Women who are above 40 years should get a mammogram done every year and younger women need to consult their doctors for the advice.

Biopsy: If your doctor feels the need of biopsy then a surgeon will remove the abnormal cell or tissue and examine it under a microscope before declaring about you having breast cancer.

Treatment:

After being diagnosed with breast cancer a woman can go for treatment methods like surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy and hormone therapy. You need to consult your doctor and find out which one is the best for you.

Surgery: Surgery is the most common form of treatment where your doctor will remove the cancerous cells or tissues from your breast as per need and if there is a need your surgeon will have to remove the entire breast for the treatment. If you want your breast to be reconstructed then you will have to talk to a plastic surgeon. Breast reconstruction can be done at the time of undergoing surgery to remove cancer or later.

Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy is used on women who have an early stage of breast cancer where high energy rays are used to kill the cancerous cells.

Chemotherapy: In chemotherapy drugs are given through veins to kill the cancerous cells of breast.

Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy is done when the cancer in breast has hormone receptors.

It is very essential that awareness is being created regarding breast cancer all over. You can contribute by wearing a rubber bracelet or a pink ribbon.

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