FAQs

Q. What does Breast Cancer mean?

Ans : Breast cancer means a cancerous (causing infiltration and destruction of tissue) growth that originates in breast tissue.

Q. Whom does it affect the most?

Ans : The risk of breast cancer increases with increasing age, mostly among females.

Q. How does Breast Cancer progress?

Ans : Usually an excess of estrogen stimulates the growth of the tumour.

Q. What are the causes of Breast Cancer?

Ans : The causes are

• Positive family history.
• Early menarche
• Late menopause.
• First child after thirty years of age.
• Excessive body fat.
• Prolonged use of oral contraceptive pills.
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for 10 years or more.
• Oncogenes

Q. What are the symptoms of Breast Cancer?

Ans : The symptoms are

• A painless lump in the breast
• Dimpling of the skin in the area of the lump that looks like orange peel.
• Inversion of the nipple.
• A bloodstained nipple discharge.
• Pain in breast.
• In Paget's disease: patch of dry, flaky skin on the nipple. A change in the appearance or texture of the breasts.
• Cachexia
• General symptoms: malaise (weariness) :loss of appetite, fatigue, thirst, fever

Q. Important things one should know about Breast Cancer?

Ans : One needs to know about the complementary therapies that can help in the healing process.

• Relaxation exercises
• Meditation
• Psychological counseling.
• Family and colleagues support.

Terminal care

• Psychological support
• Appropriate nutrition
• Treatment of cough, pruritis and nausea
• Family and friend's support