CANCER what to do about it

Taking time amidst a busy schedule to do breast self-examinations and physical examinations will prove to be powerful tool in ensuring that a person can remain breast-cancer free, or at least diagnosed early for better recovery. Before you decide on a course of treatment, you must have a deeper understanding of breast cancer and what the results of your diagnosis indicate. You must also understand which type or combinations of treatment will be best for you. The specific treatment will depend on your test results, age, general health and family history.

Cancer treatment options.
A number of treatment methods can be administered on patients to cure breast cancer, limit the spread of the disease and provide relief of symptoms which includes:

>Primary systemic therapy (neo-adjuvant therapy) - aims to reduce tumor size for breast con-
serving surgical treatment.
>Surgery - removing the tumor through a lumpectomy
> Adjuvant radiation therapy - high energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells
>Hormonal therapy - some breast cancers are dependent on estrogen (ER-positive) This kind
of therapy blocks the growth of ER-positive tumors.
>Chemotherapy - used as a component of treatment in both early disease and advanced disease
settings. A number of chemo drugs are used alone or in combination with other therapies
such as anthacyclines, taxanes, alkylating agents and oral chemotherapy capecitabine,
which lessens symptoms associated with chemotherapy and can be taken orally in the
patient's convenience, usually at home.

BE aware, instead of rushing through things, it is better to talk to your doctor and be pro-
active in your treatment and recovery every step of the way. Most breast lumps are harmless, with up to 3 or 4 lumps that are suspected of being cancerous turning out to be benign cysts,
fibromas or lipomas. If discovered early, breast cancer is highly treatable. Once breast cancer is diagnosed, surgery is often done to remove lumps. Various types of treatment are available, each with its own benefits or risks. It is best to discuss diagnostic procedures and treatment options with your physician and family.