08/30/2025
The most prevalent disease amongst women in the United States, except for skin cancer, is Breast Cancer. The average risk of women developing this life-threatening disease in the United States is 13% which means 1 in 8 women have a chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. The positive part is that 7 out of 8 women will never have the disease. Breast cancer affects a large number of women all around the world, and an awareness campaign in such cases plays a vital role in spreading knowledge. The primary focus of these awareness campaigns is to share information on the symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, and screening methods. These campaigns truly help in minimising the impact of breast cancer.
October is the month that was designated for Breast Cancer Awareness Month since 1985, but women's health matters all year long. As we know, actions speak louder than words; in the same manner, we need to convert the intensity of awareness into action in our fight against breast cancer and inspire hope for a brighter future. Join us in this blog as we explore this disease and discuss treatment options that may help reduce its impact. Together, we can save lives.
Cells are the body’s basic unit of life, and cancer is a group of many related diseases that begins in cells. Our body consists of many types of cells, which generally grow and divide to produce more cells when the body needs them. Sometimes, when abnormal cells in the breast tissue reproduce uncontrollably, they form a mass of tissue called a tumour. Tumours can be either non-cancerous (Benign) or cancerous(malignant).
Breast cancer is marked as the most prevalent disease that commonly originates in the milk ducts or lobules; however, if left untreated, it can also develop in other breast tissues and spread to different parts of the body. There are basically four stages of breast cancer, in which stage 0 means Non-invasive cancer, Stage 1-2 resembles the early stage cancer with minimal spread beyond the breast, Stage 3 means cancer has spread to lymph nodes yet remains treatable, and lastly stage 4, which is metastatic cancer, which means it has spread to other parts of the body.
Identification of early signs of breast cancer is essential for successful treatment. Most of the time, breast cancer is recognised through self-examination, medical check-ups, or routine screenings. A few common symptoms include:
Lump in the breast or underarm,
The size and shape of the breast change,
Nipple changes, such as discharge, inversion, or scaling
Orange peel texture or skin changes like redness,
Swelling in the armpit or collar-bone area.
Diagnosis, on the other hand, involves a combination of clinical exams, including breast self-awareness to detect changes, and imaging tests like mammograms and ultrasounds, often followed by a biopsy to confirm if cancer is present.
When doctors suspect breast cancer, they perform a series of tests not only to confirm the presence of cancer cells but also their stage, which indicates how much the disease has extended and how far it may have spread in the body. Breast cancer treatment options include local treatments that focus on the tumour and surrounding areas, and specific treatment, which is also a drug-based treatment that reaches cancer cells throughout the body. Both treatment options are elaborated below briefly:
1. Surgery - There are two significant types of breast cancer removal surgery. The breast conservation surgery removes only the part containing the tumor, as well as some surrounding normal tissue. This surgery is also called a lumpectomy. When the entire breast and surrounding tissues are removed, it is referred to as a mastectomy.
2. Radiation Therapy - This treatment is often used after the surgery to target any remaining cancer cells using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells or to prevent their growth.
1. Chemotherapy: It is the most common treatment method for breast cancer. It uses anticancer (cytotoxic) drugs to kill cancer cells by circulating through the bloodstream in the body.
2. Hormone Therapy: These therapies are used for breast cancers that have hormone receptors. They work by blocking hormones or using drugs to stop the cancer cells from growing.
3. Immunotherapy: It uses our immune system to fight cancer cells by helping our immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells.
4. Targeted Drug Therapy: It is a cancer treatment that targets molecules that help cancer cells to grow, divide, and spread. These therapies are designed to target only the cancer cells while reducing harm to healthy cells, unlike traditional chemotherapy.
The type of medication or combination depends on various factors, including the patient's cancer type and stage, as well as their overall health. Your doctor may offer you a choice of treatments. You can buy breast cancer drugs online through credible and legitimate online pharmacies. However, you need to have a valid prescription before you make a purchase. Also, make sure to go through the guidelines before taking any medication and inform your doctor if you are allergic to any component used in the medication. There are so many breast cancer medication tablet options available, which gives you the option to choose the medication that best suits you with the help of your pharmacist.
There are various medications used for each type of treatment. Common medications for breast cancer include chemotherapy drugs (like cyclophosphamide, capecitabine), hormone therapy drugs (like tamoxifen, anastrozole, and Femara 5mg Tablet (Generic Equivalent), and targeted therapy drugs (such as Verzenio 200mg Tablet ).
We can promote breast cancer awareness in multiple ways like launch of public health campaigns using various media channels to spread information about breast cancer, organize community event, workshops, and screenings to reach women in rural and urban areas, social media campaigns to share information, encourage workplaces to conduct breast cancer awareness programs, and including breast cancer education into school curriculums and community programs.
Breast care awareness campaigns play a vital role in educating communities, promoting early detection, and supporting individuals affected by the disease. Diseases like Breast cancer do not develop in a single day; however, if we are aware of how to recognize the early symptoms, we can defeat this life-threatening disease. The ability to recognize the symptoms comes through awareness. While October marks the designated month for breast cancer awareness, it is crucial to understand that women's health is a year-round priority, and not limited to a month. We should work together to create awareness where every woman has access to the knowledge and support she needs to thrive. Together, we can make a lasting impact and promote a healthier future for all.
Breast cancer education should not be limited to just one month, as women's health matters all year long. This disease is a global health concern, and it needs to be detected in its early stages. Year-round education is crucial, as it ensures that people are aware of the signs and symptoms, the importance of self-examination, and the necessity of timely diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, empowering women to take proactive steps to maintain their breast health throughout the year is crucial.
To detect breast cancer early, one should perform breast self-examination and check for any changes every month, regular consultation with a healthcare provider for clinical breast exams, and get mammograms starting in their 40s.
The community plays an essential role in raising awareness about breast cancer by supporting efforts to improve healthcare, making donations to support research and patient care, and volunteering with local organizations. Education about prevention and early detection can encourage people to undergo regular screenings. Together, these actions foster a caring community that helps combat breast cancer.
There is a wide range of resources available for breast cancer patients and survivors, such as professional counselling and therapy services, emotional and practical support groups, informational websites like breastcancer.org, and financial assistance through various organisations like the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund.
Education enhances the survival rate of breast cancer by increasing early diagnosis, healthy behaviours, better treatment adherence, and increasing medical literacy. Effective health education programs can improve knowledge of breast cancer and encourage early detection practices.
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