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Second- generation illness – spelling ‘Breast Cancer’ – understandably leaves a woman shocked, anguished and in denial, when corresponding tests and doctor’s diagnosis have nothing but only to confirm the presence of malignancy in the most precious part of her body that retains the very essence of her womanhood.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. It usually begins in one spot and grows larger for months or years. It can then spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system and blood stream, ultimately causing illness and death. Early detection of cancerous tumors through self-examination and mammograms, is one’s best defense against breast cancer.

SYMPTOMS: The most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump in the breast, which can be hard or soft, mobile or fixed, smooth or irregular, but almost always pain free. The early symptoms may include painless turning in of the nipple, a new eczema around the nipple or bleeding or other discharge from the nipple. One should look out for any inflammatory condition with itching on the breasts, redness, swelling, and other disagreeable effusions.

COMMON SITES FOR BREAST TUMORS: Cancerous breast tumors occur most often in the upper quadrant of the breast nearest the armpit, in the ducts or tubes (Ductal Carcinoma, and by far the most common type) that move milk from the breast to the nipple, or in the lobules ( Lobular Carcinoma) that produce milk.

Breast cancer may be invasive or non- invasive. Invasive cancers spread to other tissues in the breast from the duct or lobules. Non-invasive cancer, also called ‘In Situ’ or ‘In Place’, is the early stage where the tumor is confined to the ducts or lobules, and is not yet invasive.

Women who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer include:

1. Women who are over 40.
2. Having a sister, mother or any other first-degree woman relative who has had breast cancer.
3. Early menstruation – 12 years or younger.
4. Late menopause – 55 or older.
5. Never having carried a pregnancy to term, or having had children post age 30.
6. Using Hormone Replacement Therapy for 10 years or longer.
7. Being exposed to radiation.
8. Alcohol use and addiction.
9. Having had a history of breast cancer ( in case of a relapse)
10. Certain genes have been discovered that increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer. The discovery, however, is controversial.

Tests for evaluating breast lumps:

1. Mammography 
2. Ultrasound 
3. Fine-needle aspiration
4. Biopsy
5. CT scans and MRI scans

Stages of Breast Cancer and Chances of Survival after Diagnosis:

1. Where the cancer is less than 1 inch and has not spread outside the breast, chances of survival for the woman is 90%.
2. Where the cancer is 1-2 inches and has spread to lymph glands under the arm, the chances are 80%.
3. Where the cancer has spread to tissues near the breast, such as the chest wall including the ribs and the muscles, chances are 50%.
4. Where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, most often the bones, lungs, liver, or brain, chances of survival may be as low as 20% or even less, depending on the extent of damage to the vital organs.

Treatment Options and Descriptions:

1. Surgery – Involves removing the tumor (lumpectomy) or removing the tumor and part or all of the breast tissue (mastectomy).
2. Radiation Therapy – Is used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
3. Chemo Therapy - Is the administration of anti-cancer drugs, and can be used with surgery and/ or radiation to eradicate cancer cells and prevent them from spreading, or to relieve pain or discomfort if the cancer is incurable. Drugs may be taken as tablets, liquids, injections, or intravenous infusions.
4. Hormone Therapy - Is used to treat cancer that grows in response to hormones.
5. Bone Marrow Transplantation - Is an experimental approach that replaces destroyed bone marrow after high-dose chemotherapy.

Whatever type or at whatever stage a tumor may be detected, a woman need not lose heart or feel abdicated. Her feminity is not defined by or limited to her physical assets alone, but goes beyond. Surviving a cancer with equanimity of mind, invincible spirit and indomitable attitude towards life, spiced with faith, fun and laughter, would be just the right recipe for life and living with grace and dignity, for a winner takes it all!