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Showing posts from April, 2024

Breast Cancer Surgery: Past and Present

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Breast cancer is a common type of cancer that affects women worldwide, accounting for about 13.5% of all cancer cases in India. It is increasingly affecting younger women as well. Surgery is the main treatment for localized breast cancer, often combined with other therapies like chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and radiation. Over the years, there have been significant advancements in breast surgery aimed at improving patients' quality of life and ensuring their safety. In the past, most women with breast cancer underwent mastectomy (removal of the breast). However, now, 50-70% of patients can have breast conservation surgery, where only the tumor and surrounding area are removed, preserving the breast. This is possible for many early breast cancers and some locally advanced cases with the appropriate use of chemotherapy before surgery. Oncoplastic surgery principles are used to maintain the breast's appearance and feel as normal as possible after tumor removal. This involves sur

The Challenge of 'Young Women Dealing with Breast Cancer'

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Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, with about 2.3 million cases every year. Surprisingly, 10-20% of new breast cancer cases occur in women under 40 years old, which is a big health challenge. Cancer is usually thought of as a disease of old age, so the increasing number of cases in young women is surprising. Symptoms of breast cancer in young women are similar to those in older women, such as a lump in the breast (with or without pain), nipple discharge, or changes in the breast skin. However, these symptoms are often overlooked because non-cancerous breast problems are more common in younger women. This leads to delays in diagnosis and the cancer being found at a later, more advanced stage. Studies show that breast cancer in young women is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, which can lead to poorer outcomes. This delay in diagnosis is due to a lack of routine screening in young women, hesitancy to seek medical help, and the limited effectiveness of mammo

Living Well After Breast Cancer: Tips for Survivorship

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  Breast cancer treatment is a challenging journey, and life after surviving breast cancer comes with its own set of challenges. One of the main challenges is the transition from frequent medical attention during treatment to less frequent visits afterward. During treatment, you are closely monitored by a care team, but after treatment ends, you might feel like you're on your own, wondering what to do next. Survivors also face new emotions, including guilt. You might feel guilty that your treatment and diagnosis weren't as severe as others', or you might feel guilty for not feeling happy immediately after treatment ends, even though you've been looking forward to it. Another challenge is dealing with body image changes. Breast cancer treatment can involve surgeries that alter the appearance of the breasts, such as removing one or both breasts. Some medications can also cause weight gain. Hair loss and regrowth after chemotherapy can also impact how survivors feel about