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Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. Many women fear breast cancer. This is because they fear the possible loss of a breast in case the doctors determine that it is the only way of saving their lives. Despite this, some women do not take chances and opportunities offered to reduce increasing their risks of breast cancer. They do not observe healthy lifestyles, which serve to reduce the chances of having cancer. This includes going for breast cancer tests and screening. These are essential steps towards reducing the chances of a woman having breast cancer. In some cases, such steps might not reduce cancer risk, but early detection does lead to early treatment, and this increases the chances of survival. In most cases, early breast cancer detection can be increased through early testing, early diagnosis, and through consulting qualified doctors.
Early testing will increase the chances of breast cancer detection. Many people think that breast cancer cases are more in developed countries. Conversely, there are an increasing number of breast cancer cases in developing countries. The survival rate of women suffering from breast cancer in the developing countries is lower compared to the survival rates in developed countries. This difference is attributed to the lack of breast cancer testing facilities in the developing countries. The doctors in these countries realize that a patient is suffering from breast cancer when it is already too late, and the cancer has progressed. In such cases, it becomes difficult for doctors and the patient to manage the disease. Testing involves the use of annual tests such as mammograms. This is especially useful for people who appear healthy and who do not think that they are at a risk of developing breast cancer. The purpose of testing is to find breast cancer at an early stage before any symptoms appear (Hong et al. 422). Mammograms are especially useful for women over the age of forty years. These women have higher chances of getting breast cancer. Doctors look for changes in the breast during mammograms. Presence of large calcium deposits are not a danger factor for cancer. They are likely to occur because of different changes, which have occurred in the breasts. Such changes can happen because of inflammation, injuries, and age. However, presence of tiny specks of calcium in the breast, which may appear individually or in form of clusters, is a cause of concern for doctors (American Cancer Society). .
Early diagnostic tests are crucial in detecting breast cancer and increasing the chances of survival. Physicians perform diagnostic tests on the patients they suspect of having breast cancer. The physicians perform the tests when the patients exhibit symptoms of breast cancer, or when the screening results indicate the cause for concern. Early diagnosis enables the physicians to determine the presence of breast cancer at an early stage. The tests reveal more information about the cancer, such as the progress and level of the cancer. Physicians use such information to guide them when developing the most effective treatment for the condition. Women go for diagnosis when they experience some symptoms such as a lump in their breasts, changes in the nipple color and discharge from the nipples, breast pain, nipple pain, and changes in the size of the breast, which include swelling of the breasts. During diagnosis, the doctor examines the symptoms more deeply to determine the cause. It is possible that a lump in the breast is not cancerous, and that other factors can cause changes in the breast size. However, a person should go for diagnosis once she experiences such symptoms. Detecting the symptoms at an early stage will ensure that the person has high chances of survival.
Using a qualified doctor will increase the chances of breast cancer detection. Some doctors have more experience in matters relating to breast cancer. They offer their clients advice on issues such as the importance of screening, the risk factors that increase chances of developing breast cancer, and some of the measures that they can take to avoid chances of getting breast cancer, or to increase survival rates once a person is detected with breast cancer. Some of the risks associated with increased chances of breast cancer include gender, age, and race. The doctors take the time to discuss this with their patients. They also discuss the importance of early screening and detection of breast cancer. The doctors discuss the different modes of treatment with their patients. They inform their patients concerning the least aggressive treatments, which they think will be most effective in the end. Qualified doctors understand the importance of clinical based exams, especially for women under forty years. They discuss this information with their clients, and they encourage them to undergo such tests in the hope of preventing the cancer.
Some people argue against the importance of early testing. Such people are of the opinion that screening is merely wastage of resources and facilities. People do not need to undergo any tests especially where there is no family history of breast cancer. Nobody goes to the doctor without experiencing any symptoms; therefore, tests are not necessary when they do not have any symptoms. Most doctors use mammography during early testing to determine the presence of any cancer symptoms in the body. Mammography is an expensive exam. It often leads to other additional and unnecessary costs. Mammograms are not effective for most types of cancers. They lead to a person conducting follow-ups because they detect biopsies. This leads to the woman incurring more costs. They can wait until they notice the first symptoms so that they can go for diagnostic tests. Many of the women who undergo screening tests do not even benefit. Most of the women whose doctors have detected cases of cancer have experienced some symptoms, which the doctor can diagnose through a diagnostic test (Love and Lindsey 175).
Less money is spent on screening tests, compared to the amount of money spent on treating breast cancer once it happens. It is not wise to wait to experience the symptoms of breast cancer so that one can go for an exam. Symptoms often indicate the existence of a problem, and they could mean that the cancer has already spread to the other parts of the body. Cancer patients require different treatments depending on the type of cancer, and the degree of cancer in the body. Treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. These treatment options are more expensive and they end up using more resources compared to the screening tests. Breast cancers found after one experience symptoms are more likely to have spread to the rest of the body other than the breast. This will mean that the patient has to undergo treatment that is more intensive for her to contain the disease. On the other hand, the screens reveal small cases of breast cancer, which are usually contained in a specific area. The physicians use less aggressive and intensive treatment when treating smaller cases of cancer. These cases are more effective and quick to treat since they are small and contained in one area. Some of the women who have undergone screening tests do not realize any results from their test. However, many more women benefit from the screening tests. Reducing the number of women on cancer treatment is more cost effective than waiting to make sure that women have cancer before treating them
Breast cancer common among most women. However, with early detection, women have an increased chance of survival. Women should consider early testing, to reduce their chances of developing breast cancer. Only the women who do not have any symptoms can go through the screening process. The testing process reassures the women of their condition. Testing is recommended for women with high risk factors of breast cancer, for instance family history of breast cancer, overweight and obese women, and women over the age of forty. On the other hand, women who experience any of the symptoms related to breast cancer should see a doctor for diagnosis. The doctors will confirm or deny their reports based on the results of their examinations. Having a qualified doctor increases a person’s chance of early diagnosis. These doctors know the symptoms to look for even before their patients inform them. They are able to identify the people at risk of developing cancer. They use the opportunities they can to inform and educate the people concerning breast cancer.
Works Cited:
American Cancer Society. Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging Topics. 2012. web. 5th Dec, 2012
Balentine, R. Jerry and Melissa Conrad Stöppler. Breast Cancer: Symptoms and Signs. 2012. Web. 5th Dec, 2012
Committee on New Approaches to Early Detection and Diagnosis of Breast Cancer, Institute of Medicine and National Research Council. Saving Women’s Lives: Strategies for Improving Breast Cancer Detection and Diagnosis. National Academies Press, 2005. Print
Hong, K. Waun et al. Cancer medicine 8, Volume 8. Shelton, CT: PMPH-USA, 2010. Print
Love, M. Susan, and Karen Lindsey. Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book. Cambridge: Da Capo Press, 2010. Print
Radiology Society of North America. Value of Screening Mammography under Debate: Views from Both Sides. Web. 4th Dec, 2012
Tabár, László, Tibor Tot, Peter B. Dean. Breast Cancer: The Art And Science Of Early Detection With Mamography: Perception, Interpretation, Histopatholigic Correlation. New York, NY: Thieme, 2005. Print
World Health Organization. Breast Cancer: Prevention and Control. Web. 2012. 4th Dec, 2012
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