Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Breast cancer chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of medical drugs to treat cancer patients. In this case, chemotherapy is administered to breast cancer patients. The medical drugs attack and reduce the growth of cancerous cells. The problem with chemotherapy is that it kills both cancerous and healthy cells. The drugs cannot attack the cancerous cells alone. Due to this reason, the cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience side effects because of the chemotherapy drugs attack on the healthy drugs. The chemotherapy drugs are recommended for use by breast cancer patients at all stages. Sometimes the chemotherapy is accompanied with radiation.
Chemotherapy is normally given to breast cancer patients after they have undergone surgery. It is given orally through the mouth or intravenously. Due to chemotherapy, breast cancer patients suffer from hair loss, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, loss of memory, dizziness, decrease in appetite, vitamin deficiencies and weakened immune system. Chemotherapy is the treatment that is recommended by oncologists to treat breast cancer patients.
Nevertheless, some breast cancer sufferers refuse to undergo chemotherapy because of its side effects. The truth of the matter is that not all the breast cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy suffer from the side effects. The side effects range from moderate to severe depending on the length that the patient receives the chemotherapy. Some of the breast cancer patients decide to go for radiation or surgery instead of enduring chemotherapy.
The use of chemotherapy has been known to cure patients off breast cancer completely. The patients undergo a long period of suffering due to the drugs and some may tend to withdraw from social activities. some wear head scarves and capes to conceal the loss of hair. It is advised that support and love be given to these patients especially when undergoing this procedure to boost their morale and optimism towards recovery.
Breast Cancer Screening
Breast cancer is a disease that occurs due to abnormal growth of the breast cells. The cause of breast cancer is not yet known although it’s believed to be a hereditary disease. Initially it was a disease associated with the older women especially those who’ve reached menopause but lately there have been an increase in the number of young people suffering from the disease. The best cure against breast cancer is early detection which is facilitated by early screening.
Breast cancer screening is the process of detecting cancerous cells in the breast. It can be done in three different ways:
Mammogram is the process of conducting x-ray test on each breast. This is the most effective detection method where the breasts are compressed carefully so as to detect any changes in their tissues. These changes are not physically visible and cannot be detected by feeling the breast. It enables the cancerous cells to be detected early before they can even show on the outside. Doctors recommend that any woman above the age of 40 should have a mammogram after every one to two years.
Clinical breast exam is another screening method. This is where a doctor or nurse uses their hands to detect lumps in the breast. This method is only effective if the cancer has developed and thus has lumps that can be felt by the hands.
Self breast examination is the final screening method. This is where one uses their hand to feel for lumps. One also checks for other signs such as lumps under the arms or changes in the breast color or shape. The process involves simple steps where the woman raises her hand and uses the other hand to make circular movements from the tip outwards. Any lumps felt should be immediately reported to a doctor.
Breast cancer screening is the process of detecting cancerous cells in the breast. It can be done in three different ways:
Mammogram is the process of conducting x-ray test on each breast. This is the most effective detection method where the breasts are compressed carefully so as to detect any changes in their tissues. These changes are not physically visible and cannot be detected by feeling the breast. It enables the cancerous cells to be detected early before they can even show on the outside. Doctors recommend that any woman above the age of 40 should have a mammogram after every one to two years.
Clinical breast exam is another screening method. This is where a doctor or nurse uses their hands to detect lumps in the breast. This method is only effective if the cancer has developed and thus has lumps that can be felt by the hands.
Self breast examination is the final screening method. This is where one uses their hand to feel for lumps. One also checks for other signs such as lumps under the arms or changes in the breast color or shape. The process involves simple steps where the woman raises her hand and uses the other hand to make circular movements from the tip outwards. Any lumps felt should be immediately reported to a doctor.
Breast cancer care
Breast cancer victims need all the support they need to go through this difficult period. That is why breast cancer care is available for them and this involves a lot of issues. Patients can attend any of the breast cancer care centers where they can be helped reduce their fears by talking to qualified and professional counselors.
There are many foundations and organizations that are also dedicated to providing the necessary care to breast cancer patients. Breast cancer care is meant to help you deal with the condition in a positive way. Most of the patients tend to have emotional problems especially during the initial stages after diagnosis and during the treatment time and they can be helped to learn how to control their emotions at such times.
Some of the breast cancer care centers strive to ensure that patients who cannot afford proper health services for their breast cancer due to finances get the services by giving financial support through donors. The patients are usually given information regarding their condition, the treatments options they have and how to make sound decisions when it comes to choice of the best treatment. Breast cancer care information is also given to families of the patients so they can know how to give them the necessary support they need as they undertake their treatments.
It is good to participate in some of the breast cancer care forums especially now that many of them have come up online and share experiences as you learn how people like you are dealing with the situation. If you have survived it, it is important to know how to take care of yourself so as to prevent a recurrence. Breast cancer care is also meant to provide you with constant monitoring so that symptoms can be identified earlier.
There are many foundations and organizations that are also dedicated to providing the necessary care to breast cancer patients. Breast cancer care is meant to help you deal with the condition in a positive way. Most of the patients tend to have emotional problems especially during the initial stages after diagnosis and during the treatment time and they can be helped to learn how to control their emotions at such times.
Some of the breast cancer care centers strive to ensure that patients who cannot afford proper health services for their breast cancer due to finances get the services by giving financial support through donors. The patients are usually given information regarding their condition, the treatments options they have and how to make sound decisions when it comes to choice of the best treatment. Breast cancer care information is also given to families of the patients so they can know how to give them the necessary support they need as they undertake their treatments.
It is good to participate in some of the breast cancer care forums especially now that many of them have come up online and share experiences as you learn how people like you are dealing with the situation. If you have survived it, it is important to know how to take care of yourself so as to prevent a recurrence. Breast cancer care is also meant to provide you with constant monitoring so that symptoms can be identified earlier.
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