A woman’s journey through breast cancer stages can be very frightening and overwhelming. However, knowledge about this disease not only helps her to feel confident with her diagnosis but it also helps her to maintain a positive perspective. After all, the most commonly feared issues in life are usually the ones that are the most unknown to us.
What is breast cancer mean to you?
Breast cancer is a word that affects everyone differently. To some it may be a disease that a co-worker was recently diagnosed with. To others it may remind them of a Pink Ribbon that they have seen on a Survivor’s shirt. To yet another person it may be a disease that only ‘everyone else gets”. However, to a select and special few, this may be a disease that they know all too well because of their own personal experience.
No matter how much you know about this common breast disease, odds are that at some point in your life Breast Cancer Will Affect YOU! Statistics now state that 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with this malignancy. With these staggering statistics your knowledge of this topic is not only beneficial – it could be lifesaving!
How can this website help you?
This website has been designed to shed light on every facet of this disease. Every breast cancer stages including breast cancer type and breast cancer treatment options were written in a clear and details structure.
If you are wanting a resource guide that uses extremely long medical ‘mumbo-jumbo’ words that engage you into more fear and confusion, this is not the website for you.
However, if you are wanting a guide that explains this breast disease in easily understood words and thorough explanations which provide comfort through knowledge – YOU ARE RIGHT WHERE YOU BELONG!
Breast cancer is an emotional diagnosis to receive. Worry and confusion set in immediately and bring about many fears and questions.
This site is organized in a simple, concise and user-friendly layout to provide all of the information you need within a few clicks of your mouse. In no way will this guide tell you that your journey through this disease is going to be easy. However, we are here to help you think of it as just that – A JOURNEY.
There will be hard days ahead and fear will probably always there, however, My-Breast-Cancer-Guide.com will always be here too!
Treatment Options
There are many options for breast cancer treatment. Your doctor will study your pathology report closely and tailor your treatment options accordingly.
These factors must be taken in consideration when planning your treatment:
- The size of your tumor
- Knowledge of any lymph node involvement
- The stage of your tumor
- The location of your tumor
- Aggressiveness of your specific form of breast cancer
- YOUR level of comfort in treating YOUR breast cancer
Once all of these factors have been heavily considered, you and your doctor will design your customized treatment plan. It is important to learn more about all of the available treatment options.
Breast Surgery
Breast surgery is one of the most common treatment options. It is almost always a necessary requirement for the removal of the breast cancer. There are several types of breast cancer surgeries.
They are:
- Breast Lumpectomy
- Simple Mastectomy
- Radical Mastectomy
Click here to learn more about the specifics about Surgery options for breast cancer
Checking for Metastasis
It is very important for your doctor to know if your breast cancer has spread to other tissues in your body. To check for metastasis, your doctor will need to test your near-by lymph nodes.
Click here to learn more about Lymph Node Testing
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of cancer-fighting medications that are used to kill cancer cells. Not all types of Breast Cancer require the use of Chemotherapy, however, most do. It is a very common treatment option that most cancers require.
Chemotherapy is a field that is always changing and becoming more effective in treating breast cancer. Although it is greatly improved from the ‘old days’ it is still considered a a drug with many possible side effects.
Some side effects of Chemotherapy are:
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Muscle Cramps
- Hair Loss
- Numbness or pain in the hands or feet
- Menopausal Symptoms
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy beams of radiation to kill cancerous cells. This is a very common form of treatment for those women who choose to have breast conservation surgery.
Radiation therapy is sometimes used before a woman has surgery to remove her breast cancer. The purpose of pre-surgery radiation therapy is to shrink the tumor and kill the cancerous cells in the tumor to allow for easier and less risky surgeries. This is typically done with larger tumors which may be difficult to remove.
There are two types of Radiation therapy: Internal and External
Internal Radiation Therapy:
This is administered with the use of small radioactive implants. These can be put into the cancerous area of the breast by the use of special devices. These implants stay in place for several days. This does require the woman to be in the hostipal during her treatment. After the treatment is complete, the implants are removed.
External Radiation Therapy:
This type of treatment is done in a specialized radiation therapy department. The radiation is emitted from a specialized machine and is systematically given only in the cancerous area of the breast. Typically external treatments options last for several days each week for several weeks in a row.
Side effects of Radiation Therapy include:
- Skin changes similar to that of a bad sunburn
- Heaviness and tightness of the breast
- Fatigue
- Weeping and oozing of the breast tissue
Typically most of these side effects go away when radiation is no longer being used.
Surgical Reconstruction with Breast Cancer
After all treatment are complete, you are now able to make a decision about your surgical reconstruction options. Not every patient feels the need for reconstruction of her breast and that is perfectly acceptable.
If you are interested in the options for Surgical Reconstruction of your breast, click here to read more about breast reconstruction
Clinical Trials
Some patients have the desire to take part in a clinical trial. By choosing to participate in a clinical trials, you may be able to get additional treatment options for your breast cancer.
Click here if you are interested in participating in a breast cancer clinical trials
