What is it

Breast cancer screening is a proactive approach to detect breast cancer in its early stages when it is most treatable. Screening aims to identify breast abnormalities or potential tumours before symptoms develop. Early detection often leads to more effective treatment and improved outcomes.

What it involves

Breast cancer screening typically includes various imaging and diagnostic tests. The primary methods of breast cancer screening are mammography, clinical breast exams, and breast self-exams.

Screening Methods:

Mammography:

Mammography is a low-dose X-ray of the breast tissue.

It is the most common and effective screening tool for detecting breast cancer in its early stages.

Women are encouraged to undergo regular mammograms starting at age 40 or earlier if they have risk factors or family history.

Clinical Breast Exam:

A clinical breast exam is a physical examination of the breasts performed by a healthcare provider.

It is often done in conjunction with a mammogram and can help detect abnormalities.

Breast Self-Exam:

Breast self-exams involve regularly checking one’s breasts for any changes, lumps, or abnormalities.

While not a substitute for mammography or clinical exams, self-exams promote breast awareness and can lead to early detection.

Treatment Options

Breast cancer treatment options depend on factors such as cancer stage, type, and the patient’s overall health. Common treatment modalities include:

Surgery:

Surgical options may include lumpectomy (removal of the tumour), mastectomy (removal of the breast), and lymph node removal.

Breast reconstruction can be performed after mastectomy.

Radiotherapy:

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to target and destroy cancer cells.

It is often recommended after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.

Chemotherapy:

Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells.

It may be administered before or after surgery, depending on the cancer type and stage.

Hormone Therapy:

Hormone therapy is used for hormone receptor-positive breast cancers.

It aims to block or lower hormone production to inhibit cancer growth.

Palliative care

Palliative care is an important aspect of breast cancer treatment, especially for patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer. It focuses on managing symptoms, improving quality of life, and providing emotional and psychological support.

What happens after

After breast cancer screening or diagnosis, patients should consider the following:

• Follow-up Care: Regular follow-up appointments with healthcare providers are essential to monitor the patient’s health, assess treatment effectiveness, and address any potential recurrence or side effects.
• Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet, exercise, and stress management can contribute to overall well-being and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
• Emotional Support: Coping with a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can be emotionally challenging. Support groups, counselling, or therapy can help patients and their families.
• Breast Health Education: Patients should continue to practice breast self-exams and be aware of their body to promptly report any concerns to their healthcare provider.