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Breast Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment
THE FACTS
According to the
American Cancer
Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, except
for non-melanoma skin cancers. The chance of developing invasive breast
cancer at some time in a woman's life is about 1 in 8 (13% of women).
Carcinoma in situ (CIS) accounts for
about 58,490 new cases each year. CIS is non-invasive and is the
earliest form of breast cancer.
Breast cancer also occurs in men. An
estimated 1,690 cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in
men in 2005.
Breast cancer is the second leading
cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. The
chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman’s death is
about 1 in 33 (3%).
THE GOOD NEWS
At this time there are slightly over
2 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Women living
in North America have the highest rate of breast cancer in the world!
In 2005, about 40,110 women and 470
men will die from breast cancer in the United States. Death rates from
breast cancer have been declining. These decreases are believed to be
the result of early detection and improved treatment.
BREAST EXAM
Monthly
self breast exams are mandatory. Click here to learn how.
DIAGNOSIS
The reality sets in when you find a lump in your breast or you go for a
screening mammogram and get recalled for additional views. These
findings set up the roller coaster of breast disease: The wait for
radiologic studies and scheduled biopsy and the phone call with the results. However, this process need not be frightening, as you are in
control and you can determine where you are going. What you need now
is accurate information.
Where do you begin this daunting task?
The most important thing to do is to get the answers to all of your
questions. A mass in your breast or an abnormality on your mammogram
will require further evaluation. An ultrasound is often required to
further characterize a mass as solid, requiring biopsy, or cystic
which may or may not require aspiration.
There are also microscopic findings on mammograms called
calcifications that may require further mammograms to magnify the area
and see more details. Depending upon the findings of your radiologic
studies, you may be referred to a surgeon or radiologist for a biopsy.
Most procedures to biopsy the breast can be performed in an out-patient setting, which will allow you to have the procedure performed
more quickly. Oftentimes an ultrasound or mammogram is used to guide
your surgeon to the abnormal area of your breast. If the lump in your
breast is not apparent on any studies, it still needs to be evaluated
and likely require a biopsy to determine whether it is or is not
cancerous. Remember, 20% of all cancers are not seen on mammograms or
ultrasounds; therefore, palpable masses with negative x-ray studies
need to be thoroughly evaluated.
The bottom line with an abnormal mammogram or ultrasound or a palpable
mass is that a tissue biopsy is the gold standard to determine whether
the mass is benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). If your
questions are not adequately answered, get a second opinion.
TREATMENT
The treatment options available to
you will depend on a number of factors, including the type of tumor,
the extent of the disease at the time of diagnosis, your age and your
medical history. However, your personal feelings about the treatment,
your self-image and your lifestyle will also be important
considerations in your doctor’s assessment and recommendations. You
and Dr. Curcio should discuss these treatment methods and how they
apply to your situation. Understanding all of your options from the
beginning of your diagnosis allows you to have all of the information
you need to make an informed and rational decision about your care.
Click below for more information on
the different Breast Cancer Treatments:
Contact
Dr. Lisa
Curcio to discuss your
risk
for breast cancer .
Dr. Curcio
is a
breast cancer heredity risk specialist and she can
advise you on your
breast
cancer risk.
Visit
"Advanced
Breast Care Specialists of Orange County" in
Mission Viejo, California. |
