Wednesday, February 11, 2009

3 Breast Cancer Treatments Explained

Approximately 44,500 people contract breast cancer every year in the UK. It is not yet known what causes this condition but it develops when breast tissues become cancerous. This causes them to multiply in a rapid and uncontrolled way which leads to a tumor forming in the breast. Fortunately, there are treatment options available and in this article I will be discussing three of these.

1) SURGERY:- There are two types main types of surgery that your doctor will recommend. The first is breast conservation which involves the removal of any lumps and the surrounding breast tissue. There may be mild scarring following this type of surgery but overall the appearance of the breast should be similar post surgery.

The second type of breast cancer surgery is mastectomy which involves the removal of the whole breast. This surgery is generally recommend if breast conservation surgery does not successfully eliminate the cancer or if the tumor has become very large. After this type of surgery your doctor is likely to offer you breast reconstruction, a treatment allowing you to get back the shape of the original breast.

2) RADIOTHERAPY:- This type of treatment involves aiming high energy radiation beams at the breast cancer cells in an attempt to destroy them. It is normally used before surgery (to shrink the tumor) or after surgery (to reduce this risk of the cancer coming back). However, it may also be used as an alternative to surgery when the tumor is small enough.

3) HORMONE THERAPY:- Certain breast cancers are sensitive to the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone. Your doctor will be able to perform tests to see how these hormones affect the tumor. Based on these tests they may then recommend hormone therapy. This involves preventing oestrogen or progesterone from reaching the cancer cells either by using drugs or via surgery which stops the ovaries from producing these hormones.

Whilst breast cancer is not a condition that anyone would desire contracting this disease is not the end of the world. Treatment is a very real possibility. I hope this article has provided you with an introduction to some of these but to get a full picture you need to go and visit your doctor. They have professional knowledge and will be able to help you choose the treatment that is right for you.

Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Breast cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.

Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. If you visit Tom's websites today you can learn more about the various breast cancer treatments and sign up for a daily free Fitness Tip

Breast Cancer Information
Breast Cancer Information
Breast Cancer Information
Breast Cancer Information
Breast Cancer Information
Breast Cancer Information
Breast Cancer Information
Breast Cancer Information
Breast Cancer Information
Breast Cancer Information

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