Breast cancer is one of the most prevailing cancers among women in the age group of 30-55 years. Improved medication and quick diagnosis has reduced the chances of death due to malignant tumors in breast tissues. In majority cases, breast cancer is detected at an early stage. Treatment is easier when its ‘in-situ’ or regional but any evidence of metastasis i.e. when cancer tissue spreads to other part of body is alarming.

Studies have shown that women carrying an alteration/mutation in their BRCA Gene are prone to develop cancer in their breast. Age and sex are important factors to determine the chances of breast cancer. Ladies who have a history of early menstruation onset and late menopause are more susceptible. White women are more likely to develop breast cancer than African and Asian women. The risk further increases post menopause as both Estrogen and Progesterone hormones are secreted at this later stage. Obesity & alcohol consumption makes a woman more vulnerable to such malignant cancers.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Any lump formation in the armpit or above the collarbone is an early sign of breast cancer. Although not all lumps are cancerous, one must consult their doctor immediately for an evaluation. Other physical symptoms could be a discharge from the breast, inverted nipples and change in the texture of breast skin.

Diagnosis of Breast Cancer Involves:

1. Mammography: Mammography is an X-Ray of breast that detects any lump formed within
2. Ultrasound: Ultrasound or sonography takes the inside picture of breast cells through ultrasound waves
3. Biopsy is done by extracting the tissues from breast and giving it to a pathologist for detection
4. Surgery is the mainstay of breast cancer treatment but the choice of surgery depends on size and stage of tumor
5. Surgery is followed by Chemotherapy, Radiation and Hormonal Treatment

Post surgery treatment is given by chemotherapy to kill the remaining cancerous cells or to inhibit them from growing further. Chemotherapy for breast cancer could be administered for three possible reasons viz:

1. Chemo treatment post surgery to destroy the remaining malignant cells, this is also known as Adjuvant Chemotherapy.
2. Pre-surgical chemotherapy is given to diminish the size of big tumors- this further reduces the cancerous growth after surgery.
3. Therapeutic chemotherapy is administered regularly and routinely to check if cancer cells have spread outside the confines of the breast.

Chemotherapy is given in cycles ranging from few days to weeks and months. Chemotherapy scores over radiation treatment as it controls the Stray tumor cells from migrating to other parts of the body. In chemotherapy doctors infuse anti cancer drugs in the blood of the patient, this drug circulates to other portions of the body and destroys the cancerous cells wherever these are found.

A chemotherapy drug binds to any actively growing cells which could be either cancerous or normal and destroys them equally. Cancerous cells are not good at repairing their damage but a normal cell recovers from the destruction caused.

Side Effects of Breast Cancer Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy destroys both cancerous as well as normal growing cells thus affecting several vital functions of the body. Careful medication and some self help tips could improve these side effects. Some common after effects of breast cancer therapy are:

1. Loss of appetite
2. Nausea and vomiting
3. Weakness
4. Hair loss
5. Mouth soreness
6. Premature menopause

One could practice several self help measures or home remedies to improve their health after a surgery or chemotherapy.
Few tips to follow are:

1. Eat several small meals at frequent intervals
2. Drink water and beverages every half an hour in the day
3. Follow moderate but regular exercises
4. Avoid greasy and fatty food
5. Eat a diet rich in iron
6. Choose soft food that does not cut your mouth
7. Women could face partial or complete hair loss during the therapy so they must be prepared with short hair or wigs available in market as baldness could disturb them emotionally

Breast cancer is a traumatic experience for many women. The surgery is followed by a long course of chemical exposure. Some harmless practices like eating healthy diet and continuous exercise could be a placebo in long run.