Despite being one of the most common forms of cancer, breast cancer is still surrounded in a shroud of uncertainty for many women. Thankfully, information about the subject is abundant but even so, one might get lost in this huge jungle of information. That is why we have set up a breast cancer related FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) to guide you around the subject:
Q: What are the main causes for breast cancer?
A: As with other forms of cancer, there are multiple factors that can trigger breast cancer. These include age, an unbalanced diet, smoking, drinking, hormonal dysfunctions, hormone-altering medication (such as birth control pills for example), exposure to powerful light charges and so forth.
Q: Can breast cancer be cured?
A: Yes, but not at the same extent that you would cure any other disease, through sheer medication, treatments or therapy. The main way to “cure” breast cancer is to remove the tumor causing it and the adjacent diseased cells. The tumor is removed through surgery, whereas the remaining cancerous cells can be eliminated through several methods such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy or hormonal treatments.
Q: Is breast cancer less aggressive than other forms of cancer?
A: No, it is the same as with other forms of cancer, regardless of the area where the tumor is formed. However, the fact that breast cancer is situated in an area that is more easily treatable allows it to have a better survival rate, hence the popular belief that it is not as dangerous. If left untreated or if not discovered in time, rest assured that breast cancer is equally powerful as other forms of cancer.
Q: Is it necessary to visit my doctor on a regular basis to check if a breast tumor is forming up?
A: No, not necessarily, although it has recommended that you visit your doctor for such an examination at least once a year. If you are not comfortable with that, you can perform breast self-examination (BSE) at home. BSE does not take a lot of time and if it is performed on a monthly basis, it will grant you a big chance of discovering any breast tumors in time.
Q: What happens if I discover the tumor in one of the later stages of the disease?
A: If the tumor is discovered after it has fully grown, surgery is the only option you have left. In most cases, you will be required to undergo a mastectomy, which is an operation where a large part of the breast is removed together with the tumor, in order to prevent any further spreading of the disease. After the operation is over and the doctors give you the green light for it, you may attend a secondary breast restoration treatment that will correct the unpleasant aesthetical effects of the mastectomy.
Q: Is breast cancer hereditary?
A: No, it is not hereditary in the same sense as other diseases are. However, if one of the members of your family has suffered from breast cancer, there is a slightly increased chance that you will get it too.
