Breast cancer is a malignant neoplasm. This disease can progress in both one and two mammary glands. The number of cases over the past decade has increased significantly. Of course, poor environmental conditions and troubles have a big impact on the whole body, but why is breast cancer the most common type? What causes the disease? The answer to the question is definitely unlikely to succeed.
The mammary gland is a fairly hormone-dependent organ. But a variety of conditions can affect the hormonal position: the way of life, stress, radiation, etc. The experts have not fully established the reasons for the appearance of breast cancer, but there are many theories and versions. Some of them are indisputable and do not cause doubts among doctors, other factors are controversial and are still completely unproven. Often, women are interested in whether breasts are sore with breast cancer. This issue, as well as the causes and treatment of the disease, should be considered in more detail.
Causes
The doctor warns that the disease began to appear in young people, although it is believed that women at the age of 40 with a hereditary family predisposition are at risk (that is, ladies whose mothers or sisters had breast cancer have a great chance to get this ailment), approximately 10% of all cases without exception are considered hereditary. In addition, according to doctors, there are conditions that have a big impact on the risk of a disease:
- early menstruation (up to 12 years);
- late menopause;
- the birth of the first baby after 35 years, or if the woman never gave birth at all;
- the presence of mastopathy (benign breast disease);
- obesity;
- diabetes;
- hypertension
- bad ecology;
- stress
- bad habits (smoking and alcohol abuse).
All girls from 18 years of age and older are required once a year to undergo a study with a doctor obstetrician-gynecologist. And, according to the recommendation, to undergo additional examinations (ultrasound diagnostics or mammography), and in addition, once a month to carry out self-examination of the breast.
Symptoms
Obvious signs of the disease occur with advanced forms of a malignant tumor. These are painless dense formations. When a tumor invades the breast wall, the mammary gland becomes almost immobile. In the event that a breast neoplasm sprouts onto the skin, deformation occurs, the neoplasm is ulcerated, the nipple is retracted. A manifestation of the disease can be discharge from the nipple, often bloody. When the tumor process spreads to the lymph nodes, their growth occurs, which causes inconvenience in the axillary zone. Therefore, the signs are:
- discharge from the nipples;
- lump in the chest;
- change in the skin of the chest: retraction, swelling, redness, "lemon peel";
- nipple change: retraction, bleeding wound.
Is there any pain in breast cancer ? It all depends on the stage and individual characteristics of the woman. Some feel uncomfortable at the initial stage, while others and the third do not worry.
Cancer, the signs of which are given above, at the initial stages is expressed by the formation that is detected during mammography, ultrasound or other examinations, or the girl identifies it herself. However, it is impossible to identify a neoplasm with diffuse enlargement, that is, without a dense part, without instrumental methods. Need high-quality diagnostics. In most situations, it is enough to undergo a preventive study once a year.
Zero stage
Does breast cancer in this stage hurt? In 99% of situations - no. Therefore, it is quite difficult to determine the disease. If you recognize the disease directly at this stage, then the ability to recover is equal to one hundred percent. For the purpose of treatment, a lumpectomy is performed - a gentle procedure in which only the formation itself and a small part of the nearby tissues are removed, despite this, in some cases, the removal of the whole gland with further plasty is possible. But this type of cure is less commonly used. After the procedure, a course of chemo-, targeted and hormonal therapy is indicated.
First stage
The prognosis is also favorable: approximately 94–98% of patients recover completely after lumpectomy with further chemo-, targeted and hormonal therapy. In some cases, a course of radiotherapy is indicated. The main question that arises at this stage is: "Does the mammary gland hurt in cancer?" At a forum where women who have or have had such a disease communicate, they say that pain is rarely felt.
Second stage
At this stage, the neoplasm is already very large, and most likely it will not work out to be limited to a lumpectomy. The absolute elimination of the breast is shown - an operation with the removal of axillary lymph nodes and an integral further radiation therapy. It should be noted that in foreign clinics this method is resorted to only in the latest versions, with the aim of preserving the breast.
Third stage
At this stage, multiple metastases occur. Therefore, it is not worth asking whether breasts are sore with cancer. In order to cure, not only the neoplasm itself, but also metastases should be removed. An operation with the removal of lymph nodes and radiotherapy is certainly carried out, as well as hormone therapy, chemotherapy and targeted treatment to eliminate absolutely all oncological cells.
Fourth stage
This is a neglected cancer with a huge number of metastases. Radiation and chemotherapy are indicated, as well as surgical intervention, the purpose of which is not to eliminate the tumor, but to eliminate complications unsafe for the existence, in some cases, hormonal treatment is used. It is almost impossible to cure the whole tumor at this stage, but it is possible to continue life and improve its quality.
Surgery
With surgical intervention, the main goal of the doctor is to preserve the woman's life and health, including if it means breast removal. Whether the breast hurts with breast cancer or not, it does not matter, because the main goal is indicated above. But at present, doctors are striving not only to remove the neoplasm, but also to save the chest. In cases where this is unrealistic, breast prosthetics are done. As a rule, plastic surgery is performed six months after a mastectomy. Although, for example, in good clinics , breast reconstruction is carried out as part of one procedure immediately after removal.
In case the tumor size does not exceed two and a half centimeters, they resort to an organ-preserving procedure. Often, a number of nearby lymph nodes are removed, even if no metastases are detected. This makes it possible to prevent the recurrence of the disease.
We emphasize that the arsenal of doctors of progressive states in the treatment of oncology has unique surgical devices. For example, in Israeli hospitals, the Margin Probe device is successfully used, which, according to doctors, can completely remove all cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy or drug therapy is used before, after or in exchange for surgical treatment in cases where it is not possible. Chemotherapy is the introduction of special toxins that act on tumor cells. The course of chemotherapy can last from 3 to 6 months and, as a rule, is carried out immediately after surgery. A variety of substances are used for chemotherapy - some destroy the proteins that regulate the formation of tumor cells, others integrate into the genetic apparatus of the cancer cell and stimulate its destruction, while others delay the separation of the affected cells.
Prevention
The goal of prevention is the prevention of the onset of the disease. Prevention refers more to the public sphere. In order not to ask yourself the question in the future whether the breast hurts during oncology, the following measures should be observed:
- Late birth is considered one of the risk conditions. For this reason, the appearance of the first child under 30 years of age, breastfeeding at least up to 6 months are factors that reduce the likelihood of the onset of the disease.
- In addition, the proper use of hormonal contraceptives, pregnancy planning and rejection of abortions are also very important.
- Solving problems associated with improving the environmental situation, reducing the effects of various carcinogens on the female body, abstinence from alcohol and smoking, and controlling stress.
- Regular self-examination of the mammary glands every month after the end of menstruation. Alternate palpation of breast tissue is advisable to carry out once a month, preferably in a specific period of the monthly cycle. Shape, symmetry, the presence of fossae, tubercles, seals, change of skin - everything needs to be focused on. You should also examine the armpits and the clavicle region in search of a single enlarged lymph node.
If in doubt, immediately seek the help of a professional. Self-medication, treatment of healers and other attempts to do without medical assistance can end in disastrous.