Avril Harry
RN, BSc Oncology Nursing
Oftentimes, women walking through our clinic doors for their annual screening have one prominent fear, that of hearing that they have an abnormal report and they require further testing.
Fear is an understandable and apt emotion that coincides with any medical test. However, be assured that breast cancer today, like other non-communicable diseases, is very much treatable and curable. This is particularly the case when caught early. A critical tool for the early detection of breast cancer is comprehensive annual screening. This activity greatly decreases the mortality associated with breast cancer and allows for more treatment choices if breast cancer is found. As such, we encourage you to be breast aware.
It is irrefutable that breast cancer remains one of the most feared and dreaded ailments of our time. But as we see patients daily, we have no doubt come to the realisation that it’s not merely the fear of the “cancer” that’s at the root of the fear, rather it’s the issues associated with treating cancer—such as having to undergo surgery, possible surgical complications, and side effects from medication. Perhaps you’ve been through a breast cancer diagnosis with someone close to you and know how difficult it can be.
While these are understandable fears, the danger is that some women are so overwhelmed with anxiety they postpone breast screenings, such as breast exams and mammograms, or even skip them altogether for fear of bad news. Yet these are the very examinations that can help save lives by finding cancer early on, when it’s most treatable.
With early detection interventions it is therefore more likely that more surgical options are available. As the evidence shows, the cure rates are very high among women with early-stage breast cancer. Even for early-stage cancers, we usually recommend preventative therapies to make the cure rate as high as possible.
Breast cancer treatment is often individualised to the patient due to the numerous variables of location and type of cancer, as well as each individual patient’s health profile. These choices are made in concert with our breast specialist who will discuss various options and the risks and benefits of particular action plans.
For most women who routinely have annual screening and their cancer is in its early stages, surgery alone might likely be the only intervention needed. Surgery may be in the form of a lumpectomy in which the cancerous mass of the breast is removed. In so doing, only the lump is removed.
This is usually the preferred treatment by most women. However, in some instances, in order to achieve a cure your breast specialist may recommend removing the entire breast, this is called a mastectomy. Most women, given an equal choice, will choose breast conservation. It’s important to have an open discussion with your breast specialist to determine your best treatment options toward the goal of attaining a cure.
4 “Cs” to know: Cancer Caught early Can be Cured!
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