Health and Wellness

By Minal Jain, PT, DSc, PCS

In the Pink of Health

Nina sits in the waiting room waiting to see the oncologist. Two weeks ago, while doing a self-breast examination, she noticed an irregularity and made an appointment to get checked out. In the United States, one in eight women is diagnosed with breast cancer, while 81% of these women will be survivors at ten years.

What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a type of cancer where the cells that make up the breast tissue grow uncontrollably. If allowed to continue growing, the cancerous tissue will invade surrounding tissue and can metastasize and travel to other areas of the body (liver, lungs, bones).

How is breast cancer detected?
While doing her monthly self-breast exam, Nina noticed an irregular-shaped hard lump under her left nipple. Since she had not felt this before, she decided to schedule an appointment with her doctor to check it out. Generally, women will notice a lump in their breast tissue or may notice a change in the shape, size or appearance of their breast. All women are encouraged to perform monthly Breast Self Examinations. If, during your exam, you find some unusual changes in your breast tissue, see your physician for further assessment. Women over 20 should have a physician complete a Clinical Breast Exam at least every three years. For women over 40 years of age, the National Cancer Institute recommends having an annual mammogram. If your doctor perceives a change in your breast exam or notices areas of dense tissue on your mammogram, he or she may recommend a biopsy for a definitive diagnosis. Nina’s physician concurred that the hard lump was a new finding so she had Nina obtain a mammogram to further determine what the lump was. Nina waited anxiously for the results of the mammogram. The radiologist called her to confirm their suspicions. Nina’s mammogram was consistent with a suspicion of a tumor on the breast. Nina was referred to an oncologist for a biopsy to determine the type of breast cancer.

What is a biopsy?
A biopsy is a way to remove breast tissue for further laboratory tests to confirm or dispute the presence of breast cancer. There are two main types of biopsies: needle or surgical. During a needle biopsy, breast tissue is removed via a needle, whereas during a surgical biopsy, a tissue sample is removed surgically. A biopsy is necessary to determine type of breast cancer, as well as the stage of the cancer.

How is breast cancer treated?
Nina’s biopsy will give her the information she needs to pursue the best treatment option. Treatment options for breast cancer depend on the specific cancer-cell type, tumor location and the stage of the cancer. Treatment includes surgery (breast conserving or mastectomy), chemotherapy, radiation therapy or hormonal therapy. Many times, treatments are administered in combination: surgery with radiation therapy; chemotherapy with radiation therapy, surgery with hormonal therapy, etc.

What can you do?
The best way to help yourself is by being aware of the risk factors and modifying the factors you are able to control. Although you cannot control your gender, age or ethnicity, it is possible to change your lifestyle to include healthy choices, maintain a healthy weight, increase your activity level and decrease your alcohol intake. Other ways to reduce your risk may be to stop smoking and to habitually perform a monthly Breast Self-Examination.

How can you help others?
Nina vows to encourage all of the women in her life to perform monthly Breast Self-Examinations. While the Breast Self-Examination is not the most accurate method of diagnosing breast cancer, engaging in this activity will increase your awareness, causing you to seek help earlier rather than later. If your mother, aunt or grandmother is over 40 years of age, encourage her to get a mammogram every year. Early detection is the key to early treatment and long-term survivorship.

Nina is a survivor!!!
Just because Nina has been diagnosed with breast cancer does not mean she cannot plan for the future. As stated earlier, 81% of the women diagnosed with breast cancer will be survivors ten years later. After treatment, it is important to continue with vigilant checkups, initially at four-to-six month intervals and then annually.

Equally important is for her to focus on her emotional, psychological and spiritual health. It is the time to re-energize herself, remember her relationships (with her spouse or significant other, family and friends), prioritize her life goals and take charge of her life.

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