Breast Cancer, the number 1 most commonly found cancer amongst women. Let’s get to know Breast Cancer.

By Assoc. Prof. Dr. Youwanush Kongdan

Breast cancer is the number one cancer found in women. The chances of recovery are quite high when compared to other types of cancer; especially if cancer is found and given the correct, standardized treatment in its early stages through regular breast self-examination. Treatments of cancer include:

• Operation
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• Hormonal Therapy
• Targeted Therapy

Breast cancer is completely curable if it’s diagnosed in the early stages and treated by a venerable medical practitioner with the appropriate medical technology. There’s a five-year survival rate for all types of breast cancer; their longevity gets extended with ever-developing treatments and state of the art medical technology. Currently, if detections are made as early as in stage 1, there is a 95% chance of curability.

In the year 1960,

• All Stages, 64% survival rate
• Cancer is located only in the breast, 84% survival rate
• Cancer has spread to the regional lymph nodes, 54% survival rate
• Metastatic breast cancer to other organs, 7% survival rate

In the year 1980,

• All Stages, 75% survival rate
• Cancer is located only in the breast, 90% survival rate
• Cancer has spread to the regional lymph nodes, 69% survival rate
• Metastatic breast cancer to other organs, 10% survival rate

In the year 2000,

• All Stages, 85% survival rate
• Cancer is located only in the breast, 96.5% survival rate
• Cancer has spread to the regional lymph nodes, 77% survival rate
• Metastatic breast cancer to other organs, 21.4% survival rate

Visible Symptoms

Breast cancer may have various visible symptoms, some of the most common ones include:

• Palpable breast mass is usually larger than 1-2 cm otherwise, mammogram and ultrasound are required for detecting.
• Nipple ulcers in Paget's disease, a rare form of breast cancer where the growth begins with the nipple however if it starts from the areola, then it’s usually caused from inflammation.
• There’s a 2% chance of developing breast cancer if there is bleeding from the nipple without any applied pressure or by squeezing the milk duct.
• Breast ulcer along with breast mass may be warning signs of breast cancer.
• Dimples, dents, or puckering of the skin.
• Sunken nipple or pulling in of the nipple.
• Hard, fast growing lump, redness and warm around the skin.
• The size of both breasts has changed and became unequal.