Frequently Asked Questions in Breast Cancer

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is cancer that forms withinside the breast. Breast cancer is the second leading reason for cancer-related deaths amongst women.

Regular check-ups and screening assessments can discover breast cancer to an advanced level while treatment works best. The maximum critical action women can take to have regular breast cancer screenings.

Should I plan my mammogram around the COVID-19 vaccine?

Talk to your doctor about scheduling your screening mammogram before the first dose of any COVID-19 vaccine or 4-6 weeks after your last vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines might also cause swelling of lymph nodes within the armpit at the side of the body that gave the shot. It is ordinary and could leave over time. But swollen lymph nodes below the arm can also be a symptom of breast cancer and display up on a mammogram. It might also additionally result in more tests. Do not postpone your mammogram if you have any issues with your breasts or have Breast Cancer symptoms. See your doctor as soon as possible about your concerns. Together you’ll determine when is the proper time for your mammogram.

Who can get Breast Cancer?

Under Breast Cancer Frequently Asked Questions, this is mainly asked. All women can get breast cancer. Although the reasons for breast cancer are nonetheless unknown, there are a few elements that could grow a woman’s probability of having the disease:

  • Getting older – Most women are diagnosed when they may be 50 years of age or older. 
  • Having a first menstrual period at a younger age (younger than 12 years) Starting menopause at an older age (older than fifty-five years).
  • Never giving birth or giving birth to a first baby after age 30.
  • Not breastfeeding Having had breast cancer or a few non-cancerous breast diseases Having a near family member (parent, sibling, child) who has had breast cancer, specifically at an early age.
  • Having specific gene mutations, which includes BRCA 1 or BRCA 2.
  • Being obese.
  • Drinking alcohol.
  • Not getting sufficient exercise.
  • Exposure to excessive stages of ionizing radiation to the chest region early in life.
  • Long-term use of hormone alternative therapy.

Even if women have one or more of these dangerous elements, it does not suggest they may get breast cancer. Also, many women who get breast cancer no longer have any hazardous elements. Hence, screening is vital for all women. Women with a personal or family history (near their family relative) of breast cancer might also need genetic counselling to discover if they are in danger of getting the disease. While very rare, men can get breast cancer too.

What sort of health practitioner should I see if I suppose I even have breast cancer?

If you think you’ve got breast cancer, you should communicate with your primary care health practitioner or OB/GYN. Several medical doctors may play a role in your breast cancer remedy. The following is a list of medical doctors who can be involved in your care:

Medical oncologist: A health practitioner who has special education in diagnosing and treating cancer through chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and centred therapy.

Surgical oncologist: A health practitioner who uses surgical procedures to diagnose, stage and treat cancer and manage specific cancer-associated symptoms, and who may carry out biopsies and different surgical processes, including removing a lump or a breast.

Radiation oncologist: A health practitioner skilled in cancer remedies radiation to cut back tumours and break cancer cells.

These are some of the Breast Cancer Frequently Asked Questions.