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Breast Cancer

Cancer is an umbrella term applied to many distinct but related diseases, all characterized by malignancy, or in other words uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Breast cancer, which is the most common malignancy in women, accounts for some 24 per cent of all cases. In the Western world, it strikes one woman in ten, with half a million new cases occurring in Europe alone each year.

Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, breast cancer is still the leading cause of death in women aged 35 to 55 and the second leading cause among women of all ages. Rare before the age of 30, breast cancer is more likely to develop with advancing age, although the rate of increase slows in post-menopausal women.

 

Causes and Risk Factors 

Risk factors that can increase an individual's likelihood of developing breast cancer include family history of the disease, increasing age, not having children or having them after the age of 30 and a long menstrual life (early menarche or late menopause). Some researchers believe that obesity, a high-fat diet, excessive alcohol intake, and use of hormone replacement therapy may also increase the risk of developing breast cancer. 

 

Diagnosis and Screening 

The WHO breast cancer screening program has increased the early diagnosis of breast cancer. Detecting breast cancer early, before it has grown very large or spread to other sites is important. There are three main methods for detecting breast cancer:

  1. Mammography with the use of X-rays to make a picture of the breast.

  2. Breast examination by a doctor or a nurse.

  3. Breast self examination.

    4. However, there has been recent controversy as to whether screening has had any effect on mortality figures.

     

Management 

Breast cancer is managed with a range of treatments including surgery, chemotherapy (see Xeloda), hormone therapy, monoclonal antibody therapy (see Herceptin) and radiotherapy. These treatments are administered with the goals of curing the cancer and/or limiting the disease's spread and providing relief from its symptoms.