oncology Flashcards
what are the risk factors for breast cancer?
- older age
- a personal history of breast cancer or benign breast disease
- a family history for breast cancer
- inherited breast disease
- exposure to estrogen made in the body
- taking hormone therapy for symptoms of menopause
- radiation therapy to the breasts or chest especially before 30 years
- obesity
- drinking alcohol
- dense breasts
what factors are they unsure of as cancer causing
- oral contraceptives
- environment
protective factors for breast cancer
- less exposure to estrogen made in the body
- taking estrogen-only hormones after hysterectomy
- risk- reducing mastectomy
- ovarian ablation
- getting enough exercise
signs and symptoms of breast cancer
- lumps
- skin dimpling
- changes in skin colour and texture (thickening of skin and ridged or dimpled skin texture)
- changes in the way the nipple looks like pulling in of the nipple
- clear or bloody liquid leaking from the breast
- redness of the breast
- swelling of the breast r enlargement
- pain or itchiness of the breast
- swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpit or above/below the collar bone
how is breast cancer diagnosed?
removing a sample of breast cell for testing (biopsy)
the sample is then taken to the lab for analysis to determine:
- if it is cancer
- the type of cell involved in the breast cancer
- the aggressiveness of the cancer
- whether the cells have hormone receptors or other receptors that can influence treatment options
how is breast cancer treated?
surgery:
- breast conserving surgery or mastectomy
- Sentinel node biopsy
- axillary dissection
systemic treatment
- chemotherapy/ radiation therapy
- neo-adjuvant: therapy prior to definitive therapy
- adjuvant: therapy after definitive therapy to prevent the cancer from returning
- metastatic: therapy to improve QOL and/or survival
radiation
- adjuvant: to prevent local recurrence
- palliation: to improve symptoms
