It's hard to put into words the fear and shock you feel when your doctor tells you you have breast cancer. "How did I get this?", "Will this be cured?", "What will happen to my children?" A thousand questions like these are probably echoing in your mind. This is an experience that many people face. So today, let's talk about this clearly and simply to dispel your fears.
How does breast cancer start to develop in the body?
In fact, all cancers start in the same way. That is, the cells in our body start dividing too quickly, out of control. Think of our body as a big building made of bricks. Here, the bricks are "cells." Usually, as the old bricks (cells) die, new bricks are formed to fill the gaps. This is a very orderly process.
But in cancer cells, this order is broken. The genetic information, that is, the DNA, in those cells becomes faulty . This faulty DNA can be passed down from parents to offspring. Or, DNA can be damaged by exposure to certain things in the environment we live in.
This is how cells that have lost control divide too quickly and clump together to form a small lump. In breast cancer, these abnormal cells grow in the ducts that carry milk to the nipple, or in the milk-producing glands (lobules) of the breast. We call these lumps of cells tumors .
How does breast cancer spread throughout the body?
Cancer cells are like bad seeds. They start in one place, the breast, and after a while, they break away and start spreading to other parts of the body. These cells can travel through the bloodstream or lymph nodes to distant parts of the body and grow new cells.
The most common places where breast cancer cells are likely to spread are:
When cancer spreads to other parts of the body in this way, we call it metastatic cancer or secondary cancer. Some people may have this advanced stage of cancer when they are diagnosed. In other cases, even if the cancer is detected early, it may come back after treatment.
That's why it's important to see a doctor immediately if you notice any changes in your breasts, or a new lump. The earlier it's detected, the greater the chance of treatment and cure.
Do hormones help with cancer?
This is a bit complicated, but it's very important. Some breast cancer cells have special proteins called "receptors" on their surface. Think of these receptors as "keyholes." The two hormones that our bodies naturally produce , estrogen and progesterone, are like the "keys" that fit into these keyholes.
When this hormone, called a key, connects to the keyhole, called a receptor, on the cancer cell, the cancer cell receives a signal to "grow more." In other words, these hormones cause the cancer to grow even faster.
- Some cancers respond only to the hormone estrogen.
- Others respond to the hormone progesterone .
- Some cancers respond to both of these hormones.
We call this hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Your doctor will test your cancer cells to see if they respond to hormones. If they do, there are specific treatments that work for it.
What are the treatments for breast cancer?
Today, there are many effective treatments for breast cancer. The treatment you receive will depend on the type of cancer you have, how far it has spread, and your overall health. More than one treatment may be used.
| Treatment | Simply put, what happens? |
|---|---|
| Surgery | Removing as much of the cancerous lump as possible from the body. If the cancer is small, only the part of the lump is removed (lumpectomy) . If the cancer is large, the entire breast (mastectomy) or both breasts (double mastectomy) may be removed. |
| Chemotherapy | This involves injecting powerful drugs into the body that kill cancer cells or stop them from dividing. Because these drugs travel throughout the body through the bloodstream, they can even kill cancer cells that have spread. |
| Radiation Therapy | High-energy rays are used to destroy cancer cells. This method is used to destroy any cells that may remain after surgery. |
| Hormone Therapy | This is only given to cancers that respond to the hormones estrogen or progesterone. These drugs either lower the level of estrogen in the body or block the ability of estrogen to bind to cancer cells. |
| Targeted Therapy | This treatment is like a 'missile'. It targets specific proteins, such as HER2 , on cancer cells without harming normal cells. |
| Immunotherapy | This involves stimulating our own body's immune system, allowing it to identify and destroy cancer cells. |
What are the chances of recovery?
"How long will I live?" It's common to wonder. Doctors measure this by what's called the "5-year relative survival rate." Simply put, it's the number of people out of 100 who have breast cancer at a certain stage who are still alive after 5 years (compared to the general population without the disease).
- Early-stage cancer: 99% (that is, 99 out of 100 people survive 5 years)
- When the cancer has spread to surrounding tissue: 86%
- When it spreads to distant organs in the body (Metastatic): 30%
The most important thing: These are just statistics based on data from a large group of people. Your personal situation may be completely different. It all depends on your age, health, and how your body responds to treatment. So never get discouraged by these numbers.
Can cancer recur?
After treatment, we are said to be in remission when no cancer cells can be detected in the body. However, there is a chance that the cancer will come back in the future. We call this recurrence .
The risk of cancer coming back is highest within the first two years after treatment. That risk gradually decreases over time. This is why your doctor will check you at specific intervals . Therefore, it is essential to follow your doctor's instructions and go to the clinics on the scheduled dates.
Never be afraid to ask your doctor or other members of your treatment team about anything you don't understand or are afraid of. If you feel overwhelmed, seek the help of a counselor. You don't have to go through this journey alone.
Take-Home Message
- Breast cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells. It's not your fault.
- The earlier cancer is detected, the greater the chance of treatment and complete cure. So be mindful of breast self-examination.
- Today, there are many advanced and successful treatment methods, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions or fears you have.
- You are not alone on this journey. Your family, friends, and medical team are with you. Don't lose courage.
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