Breast cancer symptoms

Why one should to know

• Nearly 50% of diagnosed cases are in stage 3 and 4
• Breast lump doesn’t cause any other problems like pain
• Social stigma/ shy - prevents women from getting to doctor early
• If aware breast cancer is one of the easiest cancers to treat

The symptoms mentioned below doesn’t always mean one has cancer

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• New onset lump in breast or armpit.
• Usually, cancer lumps are painless
• Majority are benign
• The skin over the breast gets thickened
• A recent change in the shape of breast

Peau de orange

• Looks like orange skin
• Can happen in infection also
• Skin over breast shows dimpling
• More prominent when the arm is raised above
• Reddish discharge

Nipple changes

• Recent onset Retraction / inversion
• Ulcer
• Skin changes / Eczema

Do not worry

• You have pain in your breasts and no lump
• white / greenish discharge
• Lumps that have been diagnosed as fibroadenoma by your cancer surgeon
• Difference in breast/nipple size.

Self-breast examination 

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When to do it?

• Each month on a fixed day lady examines her breast for any suspicious findings
• Few days post periods in a menstruating lady
• One fixed day in each month for a post menstrual lady

How to do it ?

1. Inspection - you see
2. Palpation - you feel

Inspection

• Stand in front of a mirror and look for any recent changes in the appearance of both breasts
• Lift hands above the head and observe
• Keep hands over the waist and press

Palpation - to feel

• Usually done while /after taking a shower
• Easier to perform
• Circular movements inside out / outside in
• Not to miss any parts
• Same procedure is done in the armpit area and around the collar bone
• Apply gentle pressure on the nipple and look for any discharge.
• Repeat the examination lying down
• Do the examination in various body positions
• Report to doctor if you notice any of the symptoms
• Do not panic, not all symptoms are cancer

SURGERY FOR BREAST CANCER

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Most Common Questions

Is surgery really necessary?

Are there any alternative options?

• Surgery is a must to cure cancer of the breast
• Removal of cancer tissue is a major component of treatment in the cure for cancer.

Is surgery enough as a treatment for cancer breast?

• Surgery is one part of the multidisciplinary treatment for breast cancer.

What is the surgery done for cancer breast?

In simple terms : -

• Surgery involves removal of the cancer tissue in the breast and removal of nodes in the axilla or armpit.

I don’t have any swelling in the armpit still why do you want to do surgery there?

• Cancer cells can travel in lymphatics into nodes stationed in the axilla/armpit.
• This will become big enough to feel only in later stages of cancer

Types of surgery

What is mastectomy?​

mastectomy

• Removal of entire breast tissue along with removal of nodes in axilla​​​​​​.

Mastectomy

What is breast conservation surgery?

• Involves removal of the cancer lump in breast along with surgery in axilla

Breast conservation surgery

Does breast conservation surgery affect chances of survival compared to complete removal of breast ?

• Absolutely NO
• The survival rate is same in both breast conservation surgery and mastectomy if the treatment is completed.

How to choose breast conservation vs mastectomy ?

Some factors considered by onco surgeon

• Size of tumor/ size of breast
• Number and location of tumor

Oncosurgeon thinks before suggesting BCS

• Pregnancy
• Scleroderma, SLE
• History of irradiation

Patient to consider

• Radiation therapy always follows breast conservation surgery

Patient to consider

• Logistics
• Availability of radiotherapy
• Financial implications

Reconstructive options post surgery 

Why need reconstruction ?

• Helps to improve the confidence of the patient
• Psychologically patient feels better with intact organ

How is the recovery post surgery ?

• Simple surgery simple recovery
• Drain care for few days
• Arm physiotherapy

To summarise

• Surgery is a must for treatment of breast cancer
• Surgery is simple and recovery is easy
• Breast conservation surgery is equivalent to mastectomy

POST OP  EXERCISES  FOR BREAST CANCER PATIENT  

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DRAIN CARE  ADVICE  FOR PATIENTS

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POST  SURGERY CARE 

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