What Is Breast Cancer? 3 Treatment Options

Health & Medical Blog

One thing a lot of women are afraid of is developing breast cancer. You do not hear about it as often, but men are also capable of developing breast cancer. Luckily, there are breast cancer treatment services to help the people who do develop it, overcome it. 

What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer occurs when you experience abnormal growth of the cells in the breast. There are a few types of cancers that can start in the breast tissue, but these cancers are not typically referred to as breast cancer. Breast cancer will start in the breast cells. If the cancer cells make their way to the bloodstream, they can travel to other parts of the body. 

How Do You Get Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is not a contagious disease. Therefore, there is no way to pinpoint exactly how you develop breast cancer, but some will have more risk factors than others. It is still possible for someone with zero risk factors to develop breast cancer, just like someone with many risk factors could live their life without ever developing it.

Some risk factors can include:

  • Being female
  • Having never been pregnant
  • Aging
  • Radiation exposure
  • Obesity
  • Genetics
  • Alcohol
  • Having a child at an older age

If you fit into any of these risk factors, do not panic. Just because you have or are experiencing one of the above does not mean you will develop breast cancer. Just stay diligent. 

3 Breast Cancer Treatment Options

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may be wondering what your options are. There are treatment options for you to choose from. 

1. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is one of the most widely known cancer treatments. Chemotherapy consists of injecting or orally taking anti-cancer drugs. The drugs will travel through the bloodstream until they reach the cancerous cells and kill them. Chemotherapy can be used on its own, but it is also an effective way to kill off excess or remaining cancer cells before/after surgery.

2. Surgery

Breast cancer surgery can be a difficult decision for women. Sometimes the doctors will be able to cut out only the cancer. Other times, the doctor may have to take the entire breast to ensure the cancer cells are gone. If the breast is saved, it still may require reconstructive surgery to restore its shape. 

3. Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy will not be an option for everyone. Hormone therapy can only be used if the cancer cells attach to the body's hormone receptors in order to grow. Hormone therapy works by taking drugs that can either block the body's hormone receptors from attaching to the cancer cells or drugs that can break down the body's hormone receptors.

Your doctor will be able to better educate you on which breast cancer treatment option is best for you.

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