Management of Breast Cancer

  • Breast Cancer
    Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Globally, breast cancer accounts for 23-24 per cent of all cancers in women. Most women develop breast cancer over the age of 40. In all new breast cancer cases, 5-7 per cent are young women between the ages of 20-39. It can occur in men, but these cases are very rare.   
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 26 September 2015

There are several treatment options for breast cancer. 

Food and nutrition
Eating right is a key part of cancer treatment. You need to keep your body as strong as possible before, during and after treatment, so you need to take in enough nutrients. Eating a diet rich in  proteins and calories will help your body deal with the treatment, recover faster and ward off infections. This may be easier said than done as some treatments play havoc with taste buds and the digestive system. Side effects from cancer treatmnet can lead to various eating problems such as dry or sore mouth, nausea, trouble swallowing, changes in taste and smell, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea etc. Some women on breast cancer treatment also tend to put on weight due to hormonal changes. It may be helpful consult a nutritionist or dietitician from your hospital to get a detailed diet plan.

Here are some tips from the National Cancer Institute on dietary needs of patients undergoing cancer treatment:

  • Increase intake of fruit, vegetables, cereals and whole grains
  • Decrease fat intake to < 30 per cent of your calories
  • Have more lean meats like fish and and avoid red meat.
  • Reduce excessive intake of sugar, salt and processed foods
  • Minimise intake of cured, pickled and smoked foods
  • Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
  • Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption 

Physical fitness
It is important to stay active during and after treatment. Do some light exercises like brisk walking, swimming and yoga as soon as you feel up to it.

Follow–up care
Consistent check-ups post-treatment are very important as breast cancer can recur. While recurrence is most common within the first three to five years, it can happen at any time. Be vigilant for early warning signs so these can be tackled swiftly.

Take charge – Your action plan

  • Be informed. Learn as much as you can about your condition. Talk to your doctor about your condition, treatment and prognosis. Read up about breast cancer, so you know what questions to ask your doctor. Speak to other patients to find out what treatments and therapies have worked for them. Being informed keeps you in charge of your health and treatment.
  • Nourish your body. Make sure you are giving your body the nutrition it needs. Eat, even if you don’t feel like it.
  • Exercise moderately when you are able to
  • Stay positive. Join a support group. Talk to people facing similar challenges. Talk to family and friends about your feelings. Read books that offer encouragement. 
  • Stay focused on your treatment with timely follow-ups and healthy lifestyle

Know your support team: Who can help you stay healthy

  • Medical oncologist
  • Surgeon
  • Radiation oncologist
  • Dietitian
  • Counsellor or mental health practitioner
  • Other specialists depending on your condition
Community
Cancer
Condition
Breast Cancer
Changed
Sat, 01/05/2019 - 09:56

Stories

  • Breast cancer - urban, educated, affluent, employed women most at risk
    Says Dr Subhojit Dey, cancer researcher at the Indian Institute of Public Health. He tells us why, and how to protect yourself. 70% of Indian women with breast cancer seek medical help at the late stage. 5-year survival rate is around only 60%. In Developed Countries, for example in the USA 60-80% women reach the doctor at an early stage and 5 year survival is almost 90%. Awareness is key and saves lives. Breast cancer incidence is increasing. What are the factors…
  • Breast cancer at 31 and getting through Chemotherapy
    Rajita, now 42, looks back on her ‘shock’ diagnosis and treatment, and how she kept going through rough chemo sessions.  Please tell us a bit about your condition and your history.  I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31.  After I noticed a lump, I went to my gynaecologist as there’s a history of breast cancer in my family. I lost my mother to it at age 56. She suggested needle biopsy. The report of FNAC (fine-needle aspiration cytology) came out…
  • Connected by the thread of pain and love
    Breast cancer survivor and founder of RACE to rein-in-cancer, Rita Banik talks about how cancer changed her life and why she is passionate about helping others. Here, her thoughts on getting a second opinion, staying active, yoga… and more.  Please tell us a bit about your condition.  I am a breast cancer survivor.  I had a relapse of cancer in 2013, in the sternum bone.  So, I am also a cancer patient presently. When were you first diagnosed? March 2006 What…
  • Cancer was just a part of my story
    “On paper, I am better: I no longer have cancer… But off paper, I feel far from being a healthy 26-year-old woman,” said Suleika Jaouad in a New York Times article Lost in transition after cancer, documenting her battered and traumatised state after cancer treatment. Minakshi Ray, who battled breast cancer, responds to that article and offers her take on life after cancer.   That I have got a second chance to live is good enough reason for me to live life more…
  • Breast Cancer
    Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Globally, breast cancer accounts for 25.4 per cent of all cancers in women. It can occur in men, but these cases are very rare. Breast cancer originates in the breast tissue, in the inner lining of milk ducts or lobules (milk producing glands) that supply the ducts with milk. Anatomy of the breast The breast lies over the chest or pectoral muscles. A tail of breast tissue extends up to the armpit. The breast is made up of fat, breast tissue,…
  • Management of Breast Cancer
    There are several treatment options for breast cancer.  Food and nutrition Eating right is a key part of cancer treatment. You need to keep your body as strong as possible before, during and after treatment, so you need to take in enough nutrients. Eating a diet rich in  proteins and calories will help your body deal with the treatment, recover faster and ward off infections. This may be easier said than done as some treatments play havoc with taste buds and the digestive system…
  • Breast Cancer Treatment
    There are several ways to treat breast cancer. Treatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer and other factors such as general health and age of the patient. Common methods of treatment are: Surgery: This is the most common form of breast cancer treatment. This involves the removal of the tumour and its nearby surrounding margins. There are many options in surgery such as: Lumpectomy or removal of the cancerous lump in the breast and a small amount of surrounding tissue Mastectomy…
  • Prevention of Breast Cancer
    Can breast cancer be prevented? The chance of developing breast cancer depends on genes, environment and lifestyle. Factors that increase one's chances are called risk factors, while those that decrease one's chances are termed protective factors. Here are some dos to improve your protective factors and don’ts to avoid risk factors: Risk factors Being overweight or obese Smoking Excessive alcohol intake Aging Peronal history of benign or malignant breat cancer Family history of breast cancer…
  • Breast Cancer Tests and Diagnosis
    What tests do you need to have done Early diagnosis of breast cancer significantly improves survival rates. Ninety per cent of women survive if the cancer is diagnosed early. Self-examination Women should examine their breasts once a month. If you are familiar with the feel of your breast, you can notify the doctor promptly about any changes in appearance or feel. According to the Johns Hopkins Medical Center, 40 per cent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump. The…
  • Breast Cancer Symptoms and Signs
    The usual symptoms are: Any change in the shape and size of the breast Swelling or lump in any part of the breast Breast pain other than the usual tenderness before periods Any unusual discharge or blood stained discharge from the nipple Redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin Inverted nipple (turned in) Pitting of the skin over breast like the skin of an orange A lump or swelling in the armpit