Breast Cancer

1. Introduction:

Breast cancer is the one that affects more women than any other type of cancer every year. According to the theory, specific breast cells start to develop erratically, which leads to breast cancer. Gradually, these cells grow and divide more quickly than healthy cells, eventually generating a bulk or lump. Breast Cancer treatment becomes challenging if its not diagnosed or treated.

These cells can potentially expand (metastasize) to the lymph nodes or other bodily regions. Breast cancer typically starts in cells found in the milk-producing ducts (invasive ductal carcinoma), the glandular tissue known as lobules (invasive lobular carcinoma), or other cells or tissues within the breast.

In addition, the risk of breast cancer is often related to hormonal, behavioral, and environmental factors. Yet, research is still going on to determine why some women with no risk factors for the disease experience cancer. Some experts say that there must be a complicated interplay between a person’s genetic makeup and environmental circumstances that leads to breast cancer.

2. Where does Breast Cancer develop?

Several areas of the breast might be points of origin for breast cancer. Most fat, ducts, and glands are found in the breasts. Each breast’s size is based on the quantity of fatty tissue.

It has different parts:

• The lobules are the glands responsible for producing breast milk. Lobular cancers are tumors that develop here.
• The ducts emerge from lobules, and they transport milk to the nipple. Here is where breast cancer typically develops.
• The nipple is where the ducts join together and expand to form more giant ducts. These parts allow milk to flow out of the breast. The breast Paget disease, a less common type of breast cancer, can start here.
• The ducts and lobules are encircled by fat and connective tissue (stroma). This aids in maintaining their position. A rare type of breast cancer called a phyllodes tumor can develop in the stroma.

The breast is also made of lymphatic and blood arteries. The lining of these blood vessels is where the less common breast cancer-type angiosarcoma might start.

Types of Breast Cancer:

Below are different types of breast cancer for your reference;

Infiltrating (invasive) Ductal Carcinoma:

The milk ducts are the initial site of this malignancy, which then invade the duct wall and spread to adjacent breast tissue. It is the most prevalent breast cancer, accounting for almost 80% of all positive cases.

Ductal Carcinoma in Situ:

This cancer is also known as Stage 0 breast cancer. Sometimes, it is regarded as precancerous because the cells haven’t moved past the milk ducts. Also, this illness is remarkably curable. Immediate Breast cancer treatment is required to stop the cancer from becoming invasive or spreading.

Infiltrating (Invasive) Lobular Carcinoma:

The lobules in the breast are the origin of this cancer. 10% to 15% of breast cancers are caused by it.

Lobular Carcinoma in Situ:

There are abnormal cells in the breast’s lobules in this precancerous disease. However, it isn’t considered a true cancer. Hence, routine mammography and clinical breast exams are essential for women with lobular carcinoma in situ.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC):

This category of cancer accounts for 15% of all cases. Besides, this is one of the most challenging breast cancers to cure. Because three of the markers linked to other forms of breast cancer are absent, it is known as triple-negative breast cancer. Hence, this makes diagnosis and therapy challenging.

Inflammatory breast cancer:

This kind of cancer is uncommon and severe. It seems infectious too. Red skin, swelling, pitting, and dimpling of the breast skin are typical symptoms of this inflammatory breast cancer. 

Paget’s disease of the breast:

The nipple and areola’s skin are both affected by this cancer. 

4. Causes for Breast Cancer:

Breast cancer starts in the cells. The actual causes of breast cancer are unknown, various factors can increase a woman’s risk of developing this disease. Here are some of the common grounds and risk factors associated with breast cancer:

Age and Gender: Breast cancer is more common in women who are above 50.

Genetics: Inherited genetic mutations can accelerate the risk of breast cancer, particularly mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

Family History: Anyone with an ancestral history of breast cancer can have a possible risk of developing the disease.

Hormonal Factors: Sometimes, exposure to estrogen and progesterone for many years will increase the risk of breast cancer. This includes early onset of menstruation, late onset of menopause, and taking hormone replacement therapy.

Lifestyle Factors: Lifestyle factors like alcohol consumption, obesity, and lack of physical work can also increase the risk of breast cancer.

Previous Breast Cancer: People who already had breast cancer in one breast can more likely develop cancer in the other.

Radiation Exposure: Radiation exposure, particularly at a young age, can be a risk of breast cancer.

Please be informed that having one or more of the mentioned risk factors does not mean that a person tends to develop breast cancer. Some people who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors and consult with healthcare professionals for appropriate breast cancer treatment and prevention strategies.

5. What are the effects of breast cancer?

The root cause for breast cancer is that breast cells tend to grow abnormally out of control, forming a mass or lump. Breast cancer can have several effects on the body, both physical and emotional.

Physical Effects:

Breast Changes: 

The most common physical effect of breast cancer is breast changes. It generally includes the appearance of a lump or mass at any point in the breast. This condition may also change in breast size/shape, nipple discharge, or even inversion of the nipple in some cases.

Pain: 

Breast cancer can cause pain in the breast or chest area. It can be excruciating when the tumor is large. And it can cause severe pain when pressing against nerves or other tissues.

Fatigue: 

Factually, cancer and its treatment can cause extreme fatigue and weakness. Consequently, this can affect a person’s ability to carry out daily activities.

Hair Loss: 

As we all know, Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments for breast cancer. On the other hand, it can cause hair loss.

Lymphedema: 

Allopathy operating with surgery or radiation therapy for breast cancer can damage the lymphatic system. It can lead to lymphedema – a condition where the arm or breast swells due to fluid build-up.

Emotional Effects:

Anxiety and Depression: 

A breast cancer diagnosis can cause anxiety and depression because of fear of death, body image changes, and treatment side effects.

Fear of Recurrence: 

It is widespread in cancer patients. Even after breast cancer treatment, cancer patients may experience fear of recurrence. This fear can remarkably affect their quality of life.

Impact on Relationships: 

It is more sensitive and personal, of course. It can affect relationships with partners, family, and friends in general because there is a possibility that mood, libido, and communication change frequently.

Financial Burden: 

Allopathic treatment for breast cancer can be expensive. Hence it leads to financial strain for many patients and their families.

Social Effects:

Stigma and Discrimination: 

Like other forms of cancer, breast cancer can be stigmatized, leading to discrimination and social isolation.

Work-related Issues: 

It is a common problem where this condition can affect a person’s ability to work, leading to loss of income or job-related issues.

Therefore, patients must receive timely and appropriate care and moral support to manage these effects and improve their quality of life.

6. Symptoms of Breast Cancer:

When it comes to the case of breast cancer symptoms, everyone is unique. Various people will experience distinct breast cancer symptoms. Some women lack any of the known symptoms or warning indications.

Below, we are trying to list out some indicators of breast cancer for an easy understanding—

1. A newly formed breast or underarm bulge.
2. Swelling or thickening of a breast region.
3. Skin irritation or dimples on the breast.
4. If you find redness or flaky skin in the breast or nipples.
5. Nipple pulling in or nipple region discomfort.
6. Bleeding from the breasts.
7. Deformation of breast size.
8. Pain in the breast area.

Remember that any illness other than cancer also might cause similar symptoms. Hence, consult your doctor once you experience any signs or symptoms.

7. What are the stages involved in the growth of Breast Cancer?

What is cancer staging in breasts?

The size of the tumor can determine the stage of breast cancer and whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Besides, it is also determined based on its reach to distant organs and biomarkers. 

Apart from the pathologic and clinical stages, the cancer stage is determined by diagnostic testing. Therefore, staging is only defined if all tests have been completed. Staging can be carried out before the breast cancer treatment. 

Understanding the tumor stage can help the doctor start the best course of action and determine the prognosis, or likelihood of recovery, for a patient. This is why for many cancer kinds, several stage descriptions exist.

TNM Staging System:

The TNM method is the most popular technique doctors use to describe the cancer stage. 

Tumor (T): How big is the primary tumor, denoted by the letter T and its biomarkers

Node (N): Has the tumor affected the lymph nodes? If it happens, what is their number and size?

Metastasis (M): The word “metastasis” (M) means the spread of a tumor in medical terminology.

In general, the combination of these results will determine the stage of breast cancer.

Have a look at the Breast Cancer Stages;

Stage 0: 

It is a Non-invasive or precancerous breast cancer we generally consider. It is noticed when we discover aberrant cells within the breast tissue. But their localization to other tissues has yet to occur. The terms ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) generally describe stage 0 breast cancer.

Stage 1: 

The tumor is still relatively small at this point. The cancer has a diameter of less than 2 millimeters and hasn’t migrated to any adjacent lymph nodes. It hasn’t migrated to any neighboring lymph nodes or other body regions.

Stage 2: 

The tumor is insignificant but might have moved to neighboring lymph nodes. Besides, it has yet to spread to other bodily regions. It depends on the tumor and whether it has spread to lymph nodes, stage 2 comprises two sub-stages.

Stage 3: 

The cancer has progressed to other body areas, such as the skin or chest wall, in addition to the breast and adjacent lymph nodes. This condition could be further classified into three substages based on tumor size and the number of afflicted lymph nodes.

Stage 4: 

Metastatic breast cancer is a common term for stage 4 breast cancer. It is an advanced stage. The tumor will spread to different organs like the lungs, liver, or bones.

While the TNM method is frequently used to categorize breast cancer, alternative staging systems can be applied in certain circumstances. However, each person’s experience with breast cancer is distinct, and their diagnosis and treatment may include other factors besides the cancer’s stage.

So, early detection and of breast cancer treatment is essential, and it depends on regular screening. Women over 40 must have mammograms frequently. And those more likely to develop breast cancer may need to start screening earlier or undergo additional exams like a breast MRI. In this way, women should regularly self-examine their breasts to notify their healthcare professionals of any changes or concerns.

8. How can you prevent Breast Cancer?

According to research, the possibility of breast cancer, even among high-risk women, can be decreased by changing one’s lifestyle. A better lifestyle can save you from the risk of developing breast cancer. Go through the following list;

Give up or control Alcohol consumption:  

Because your risk of developing breast cancer rises as you consume more alcohol, according to recent research on the impact of alcohol on breast cancer risk, the general advice is to limit your intake to one drink per day.  

Be Health Conscious:

To keep your health at the optimal level, you must work to maintain a healthy weight. Ensure you eat fewer calories each day and gradually increase your workout. Consult your doctor for advice on appropriate weight-loss methods if you need to.

Physical Activity:

You can avoid any disease by maintaining a healthy weight with physical activity. Aim for at least an hour of effective aerobic exercise. Also, focus on workouts that include strength training.

Breastfeed:

It is essential to understand that breastfeeding may aid in preventing breast cancer. So the protective effect is proportional to the duration of breastfeeding.

Do not overuse postmenopausal hormones:

Combined hormone therapy may make breast cancer more likely. Choose the lowest dose that works for you. It is better to meet your doctor in advance. Ask your doctor to maintain a record of how long you’re taking because short-term hormone therapy may outweigh the hazards.

How Punarjan Ayurveda Treats Breast Cancer?

Ayurveda is a therapeutic path where our steps are influenced by wisdom and compassion. As breast  cancer consists of enormous hurdles, Punarjan Ayurveda’s goal is to offer a holistic approach that nourishes the body, mind, and soul to help our patients find the best quality of life.

At Punarjan Ayurveda, we restore balance and vitality to the body with herbal formulation and the great science of Rasayana Ayurveda. Not just the disease symptoms, our practitioners find the underlying causes of breast cancer and then tailor treatment plans. This is how distinct treatment is done. Our treatment involves a step by step chain of herbal medicines, detoxification therapies, special diet plans along with lifestyle changes. 

At the same time, our strategy works beyond the material world. We know that the patient has to go through emotional and psychological difficulties that follow breast cancer. Hence we foster a compassionate and loving environment. Here, people can communicate their hopes, worries, and fears to our well-trained counselors. Our motive is to empower people to live a healthy and peaceful life where they can find inner strength to face any adversity. Here, we believe that the doctor-patient connection is sacred. Because, this cultivates open communication and trust between people. Tracking the development and making required corrections needs a comprehensive strategy that combines traditional Ayurveda knowledge with today’s diagnosing methods.

By choosing Punarjan Ayurveda, one commits himself to the best healing approach towards his health. Respecting the power of nature, receiving individualized care, and living in a compassionate community is crucial here. So, we welcome you all to set out on a path towards health, happiness, and a future free of breast cancer together.

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