Breast Cancer - What is it?
Breast cancer is, well, cancer of the tissue of the breast!
I know, as an explanation that sounds a bit glib but it is actually a very clear medical statement of this disease.
Many myths continue to being perpetuated about the causes of breast cancer and the different stages that tumor growth goes through without any serious application of common sense.
Hopefully the breast cancer information you’ll find at the Medical Compendium website will assist in clearing up any doubts, confusion or questions that you might have about this illness, as well as helping you to prepare and plan for dealing with breast cancer, should you be one of many women who suffer from it.
Breast cancer is THE most common type of cancer found in women today. Out of every 13 women in the Western World who live to the age of 90, one will be affected by breast cancer at some stage in their life.
Lung cancer has the highest fatality rate of all cancers in women with breast cancer following in second place.
The gap between the two is narrowing.
As anti-smoking campaigns gather momentum and more and more people are aware of the dangers and increased risk of lung cancer that is caused by smoking – the numbers of lung cancer fatalities are decreasing as the number of breast cancer fatalities continues to rise.
In fact, the number of deaths attributable to breast cancer has been increasing since the late 60’s - early 70’s.
There are 6 kinds of breast cancer:-
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
- Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
- Ductu Carcinoma in Situ
- Lobular Carcinoma in Situ
- Paget’s Disease
- Inflamatory Breast Cancer
History - The first real recording of cancer tumors comes from the Middle East, where it was reported that 8 people had been found to have ‘ulcers’ (tumors) of the breast. Their treatment was to have their breasts cauterized, which was unsuccessful. In fact, breast cancer treatment proved to be fairly poor and ineffective until the 17th century doctors started to comprehend more abut our ‘systems of circulation’.
Two surgeons – Jean Petit and Benjamin Bell – working separately, pioneered the first operations to remove not only the affected tissue but also the cancer supporting elements of the circulatory system such as the lymph nodes.
The first mastectomy was performed by a Dr. William Halstead in 1882 in a radical surgical procedure that was performed as the de facto mastectomy operation until the 1970s.
Breast Cancer is a killer – there can be no argument against that. But it is a killer that a lot of women can fight against. Firstly, by being aware of it and having the understanding of what it is and how it the disease progresses. Secondly, by diligently self-examining every month, looking for those tell tale symptoms.
As you‘ll learn when you read about the breast cancer stages, early detection and diagnosis and breast cancer treatments greatly increases the chance of survival and return to a healthy life.
