Everything About Breast Cancer

There are three classes of chemotherapy drugs used to treat breast cancer: Anthracyclines, Taxanes, and Alkylating agents.

Anthracyclines deform the DNA structure of cancer cells and terminate its biological function. It is effective in breast cancer treatment, however, patients may develop severe heart problems. Patients should be monitored for probable side effects. This drug is used along with other chemotherapy drugs to minimize the risk of side effects.

Taxanes prevent the cancer cells from further dividing.

Alkylating agents target the cancer cells’ DNA to prevent the cells from growing and reproducing. It targets cells in all phases, and is also used along with other chemotherapy drugs.

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The major classes of breast cancer drugs are: Selective Estrogen-Receptor Modulators or SERMs, Aromatose Inhibitors, Biologic Response Modifiers, and other hormonal therapies.

SERMs work by “starving” cancer cells by preventing estrogen from reaching and feeding the cancer cells, since breast cancer cells are dependent on estrogen to reproduce. The most prescribed SERM is Tamoxifen.

Aromatose inhibitors work by preventing the production of estrogen, also starving the cancer cells. This is useful when patients become resistant to a SERM.

Biologic response modifiers prevent the growth of breast cancer cells.

Other hormonal therapies include those that destroy estrogen receptors in cancer cells, and those that blocks the release of hormone in the body.

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Breast cancer is benefiting from some of the latest research into the mechanisms of the disease and one such breakthroughs that is set to make a difference is the isolation of a signal gene. Researchers have found that it is the presence or absence of this specific gene that can tell weather the breast cancer spreads or maintains its inert state as a mere lump. It has also been found that all humans have a cell or two of cancerous categorization and the many factors that makes it blow off into a full blown disease is also being studied.
On the other hand, imaging scientists are trying to develop faster screening technology that assesses the density of tissue obtained from a biopsy getting the results faster making treatment possible as soon as possible.

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Once a breast lump or breast abnormality has been detected, Doctor may want to conduct a breast biopsy. It is a procedure that involves taking sample tissue from the doubtful area to determine whether the breast lump is cancerous. There are several kinds of breast biopsy techniques, and each one has advantages and disadvantages. One of the techniques is Fine-needle aspiration. It is a thin needle inserted through the skin and into the lump. Cells will be drawn into the needle, and given to a pathologist to look at under a microscope. This might also be done to determine if the lump is solid or liquid (a cyst). If the lump is a cyst, after the fluid has been removed, the cyst will collapse and disappear. If there is no fluid, and the tissue in the lump is too hard to draw into the needle, then you may need a different type of biopsy, in order to get the best results.

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Here are some crucial information about the disease that usually triggers a woman. A woman’s risk for developing breast cancer increases as she ages but breast cancer rarely strikes a woman in her 20’s. According to studies, less than five percent of all breast cancer cases occur in women under 40. It usually hits after menopause; nearly 80 percent of cases are in woman over 50. Sometimes, gynecologist don’t always take symptoms seriously because breast cancer is so common on younger women, the doctor may blow-off a lamp or other worrisome sign like bloody nipple discharge. Insist that she perform a clinical breast exam and a needle biopsy or ultrasound. It is also important to trace our family history since it puts younger women at risk. When a 20 to 30 something women develop the disease, they may have gene mutation. Ask your gynecologist about your risks of getting breast cancer so that it can help you to prevent it.

Most women who have breast cancer usually either undergo chemo or just have their breasts removed. Chemo is a standard operating procedure but breast removal is not, see the thing about having the breast cut out is that it is not only horrifying, it is also not 100% effective. The cancer cell, if it has already worsened could have spread out to the entire body by then. In this case, dismembering may already be useless. There’s a new treatment offered, and it’s called hormone therapy. Through constant infusion of estrogen, the cancer cells are kept under check. Although this is not a cure for cancer, it is relatively preferable to other treatments.

A recent study showed that green tea has phytonutrients that help inhibit the growth of breast cancer tumors. Since cancer cells in a malignant (cancerous) tumor can travel and reach other parts of the body (metastasize) and develop into new tumors.

The study also showed that green tea can induce the death of cancer cells. The aim is to develop a preventive treatment to avoid the cancer cells from spreading, and to stop the tumor from growing in size.

Asian countries that are known to consume significant amounts of green tea have been shown to have lower risks of developing breast cancer.