Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Globally, breast cancer accounts for 25.4 per cent of all cancers in women. It can occur in men, but these cases are very rare. Breast cancer originates in the breast tissue, in the inner lining of milk ducts or lobules (milk producing glands) that supply the ducts with milk. Anatomy of the breast The breast lies over the chest or pectoral muscles. A tail of breast tissue extends up to the armpit. The breast is made up of fat, breast tissue,…

There are several treatment options for breast cancer.  Food and nutrition Eating right is a key part of cancer treatment. You need to keep your body as strong as possible before, during and after treatment, so you need to take in enough nutrients. Eating a diet rich in  proteins and calories will help your body deal with the treatment, recover faster and ward off infections. This may be easier said than done as some treatments play havoc with taste buds and the digestive system…

There are several ways to treat breast cancer. Treatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer and other factors such as general health and age of the patient. Common methods of treatment are: Surgery: This is the most common form of breast cancer treatment. This involves the removal of the tumour and its nearby surrounding margins. There are many options in surgery such as: Lumpectomy or removal of the cancerous lump in the breast and a small amount of surrounding tissue Mastectomy…

Can breast cancer be prevented? The chance of developing breast cancer depends on genes, environment and lifestyle. Factors that increase one's chances are called risk factors, while those that decrease one's chances are termed protective factors. Here are some dos to improve your protective factors and don’ts to avoid risk factors: Risk factors Being overweight or obese Smoking Excessive alcohol intake Aging Peronal history of benign or malignant breat cancer Family history of breast cancer…

What tests do you need to have done Early diagnosis of breast cancer significantly improves survival rates. Ninety per cent of women survive if the cancer is diagnosed early. Self-examination Women should examine their breasts once a month. If you are familiar with the feel of your breast, you can notify the doctor promptly about any changes in appearance or feel. According to the Johns Hopkins Medical Center, 40 per cent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump. The…

The usual symptoms are: Any change in the shape and size of the breast Swelling or lump in any part of the breast Breast pain other than the usual tenderness before periods Any unusual discharge or blood stained discharge from the nipple Redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin Inverted nipple (turned in) Pitting of the skin over breast like the skin of an orange A lump or swelling in the armpit

Are you at risk of developing breast cancer? You may be if you  Are female (risk is much more for women than men) Are a woman over 40  (risk increases with age) Have a history of a benign breast conditions such as atypical ductal hyperplasia and fibrocystic breast changes Have a history of breast cancer in one breast which increases your risk of getting cancer in the other breast Have family members (esp mother, aunt, daughter and maternal grandmother) who have had breast cancer…

Lymphoma is the name for a group of blood cancers that develop in the lymphatic system. The two main types are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).    

Chemotherapy is a standard line of treatment for many cancers. However, it does come with side effects. Dr Shital Patel explains the common side effects due to chemotherapy like mouth sores, nausea, dry skin, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss and more and how to get relief from them.   Chemotherapy is a type of therapy where single or combination of drugs are given to control cancer and halt/slow progression & growth. They work by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, leading to cell…

The delay in diagnosis changes the prognosis, treatment approach, and the cost associated with it, dramatically By Jame Abraham, M.D, FACP, Cleveland Clinic Arathi is a 47-year-old, highly successful systems engineer from Mumbai. About six months ago, she noticed some discomfort in her left breast. When she raised her arm above her head to comb her hair, she noticed some skin changes on the left breast. But she chose to ignore that, too. When she developed a constant nagging pain in her…