Have you ever heard of breast cancer? Maybe one of your friends has. There are several types of breast cancer. Today we are going to talk about one of them. That is ER+ (ER positive) breast cancer . Although the name may sound a bit complicated, let's explain it simply.
What is ER+ breast cancer?
Simply put, ER+ breast cancer is a type of breast cancer. Remember, women have a hormone called estrogen in their bodies. This hormone helps with many things. However, sometimes this estrogen hormone also helps cancer cells grow. So, breast cancer cells that grow due to the estrogen hormone are what we call ER+ breast cancer. 'ER' stands for Estrogen Receptor . This means that these cancer cells have places where estrogen can 'attach'. Doctors check the level of these estrogen receptors to plan treatment. Usually, surgery and hormone therapy are used as treatments for this. Some people also call this 'estrogen positive breast cancer'.
How common is ER+ breast cancer?
This is actually more common than you might think. Most people who get breast cancer, about 70 out of 100, have this type of cancer called ER+. This includes men, because men can get breast cancer too, but it's much less common. So this isn't that unheard of.
What are the symptoms of ER+ breast cancer?
A person with ER+ breast cancer will usually show the same symptoms as someone with breast cancer. Let's take a look at what they are:
- Noticing a change in the size, shape, or contour of one of your breasts . Perhaps one breast is different from the other.
- A lump or lumpy object is caught in the hand. This can be as small as a pea.
- A feeling of thickening or tightness in the breast or armpit area. You should be especially concerned if this is present throughout your monthly menstrual cycle.
- A change in the appearance or feel of the skin of the breast or nipple. The skin may appear dimpled, puckered, scaly, or inflamed. It may also be red or darker than the rest of the breast.
- Feeling a hard spot under the skin, like a piece of marble .
- Bloody or clear fluid coming out of the nipple.
If you think you have any of these symptoms, please don't be afraid to see a doctor. The sooner you recognize it, the easier it is to treat.
What causes ER+ breast cancer?
Okay, now let's see how this actually works. The cells in our body have things called hormone receptors . These are like little doors, a type of protein. The hormone estrogen in our blood can bind to these receptors. In healthy cells, estrogen helps the cells function and grow normally. That's normal.
However, in ER+ breast cancer, this estrogen hormone binds to proteins inside the cancer cells, causing those cancer cells to grow even more. Think of it like estrogen is like 'fertilizer' for cancer cells. Sometimes, not only estrogen, but another hormone called progesterone also contributes to the growth of these cancer cells. We call such cancers with high progesterone levels PR-positive (PR+) breast cancer. Some cancers can be both ER+ and PR+.
What are the risk factors for this?
There are some risk factors that can affect the development of ER+ breast cancer. Let's take a look at what they are.
Risk factors for women:
For women, the main risk is long-term exposure to the hormone estrogen . This means that estrogen levels in the body remain high for a long time. Let's see how that happens:
- Early puberty (early onset of menstruation).
- Delayed menopause .
- Having children late or not having children at all.
- Taking hormone therapy (especially those containing estrogen) for symptoms that occur after menopause.
Risk factors for men:
For men, this risk is associated with higher than normal levels of estrogen and lower levels of testosterone in their bodies. This is called a hormonal imbalance . Some examples are:
- Obesity .
- Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) .
- Conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver .
How is ER+ breast cancer accurately diagnosed?
If you suspect you have breast cancer, your doctor will first do a breast biopsy . This involves taking a small sample of tissue from the cancerous lump. This sample is then sent to a lab. There, a medical pathologist , a doctor who specializes in examining tissue, will examine the tissue to see if it has hormone receptors.
If the test result is Hormone Receptor-Positive (HR+) , it means that estrogen, progesterone, or both of these hormones are helping the cancer cells grow. ER+ is also part of HR+. It means that estrogen receptors are present. If such tests find that estrogen levels are not high, the breast cancer is considered Estrogen Receptor-Negative (ER-negative) .
What are the treatments for ER+ breast cancer?
Doctors use several main methods when treating ER+ breast cancer. These include:
- Breast cancer surgery : This involves removing cancerous tumors.
- Radiation therapy : High-energy rays are used to destroy cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy : In this treatment, drugs are used to kill cancer cells or control their growth.
- Hormone therapies : This is very important for ER+ cancers. There are two methods for this:
- Aromatase inhibitors : These drugs work by reducing the production of the hormone estrogen in your body, which means that cancer cells are deprived of food.
- Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) : These drugs work by blocking the hormone estrogen from attaching to cancer cells. They also help reduce the risk of the cancer coming back.
The doctor will assess your condition and decide which of these treatments is right for you and how to administer them.
What are the side effects of the treatment?
As with any treatment, these treatments can have some side effects. Don't worry, the doctors will explain all of this to you in advance.
Common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy include:
- Feeling very tired (Fatigue)
- Nausea and vomiting
The following side effects may be seen during hormone therapy :
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Less or loss of interest in sex
- Hot flashes - a feeling of heat coming from within the body .
- Tender or swollen breasts
If you are being treated for ER+ breast cancer, ask your doctor about palliative care . This can help you manage the symptoms of your cancer and the side effects of your treatment.
What is the survival rate for ER+ breast cancer?
This is a question that many people ask. According to data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) , overall, more than 90% of women with breast cancer are alive five years after being diagnosed. This is really good news. However, the NCI does not provide separate data on the survival rate for men with ER+ cancer.
When thinking about survival rates, it's important to remember that these are statistics based on the experiences of a large group of people . Also, they may be estimates based on conditions that existed many years ago. Treatments are improving every day. Therefore, it's best to talk to your doctor about your condition and what you can expect.
Can ER+ cancer come back after treatment?
Although ER+ breast cancer is considered less aggressive than some other types of cancer, there is a risk of recurrence after treatment. This risk can occur even if ER+ cancer is detected early and treated with low-risk ER+ cancer. If you are concerned that your cancer may come back, talk to your oncologist about your personal risk and what you can do to reduce your risk.
How do you take care of yourself with ER+ breast cancer?
When living with ER+ breast cancer, it's important to take good care of yourself. Here are some suggestions that can help you:
- Get enough rest. Breast cancer and its treatment can be very tiring. Remember to rest whenever you feel tired, not just when you feel like it.
- Eat well. Your appetite may change due to treatment. A diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy grains will help you stay strong during treatment.
- Manage stress. Dealing with cancer is a lot of stress. Exercise is a great way to help with this. You can do anything from taking a daily walk to participating in exercise programs.
- Get support. You are a breast cancer survivor, and that starts the day you are diagnosed. Ask your doctor about cancer survivorship programs . These can help you manage the challenges of living with breast cancer.
When do you need to see a doctor as soon as possible?
If you feel like your symptoms are getting worse, or if you develop new symptoms, such as pain or weakness elsewhere in your body, see your doctor right away.
What are the important questions to ask the doctor?
When you see your doctor, don't be afraid to ask any questions you have. Here are some questions you can ask:
- What kind of treatment do you recommend for me?
- Will I need both chemotherapy and radiation therapy, or will just hormone therapy be enough?
- Will I have to take hormone therapy for the rest of my life?
- What are the side effects of these treatments? What can I do to minimize them?
- What are my recovery prospects?
Where can ER+ breast cancer spread?
Breast cancer can sometimes spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, brain, bones, and liver . ER+ breast cancer accounts for about 70% of all breast cancers, so it's important to be aware of this spread.
Finally, a few things to remember
Okay, so let's recap the most important points we talked about today.
ER+ breast cancer is a type of cancer that grows because of the hormone estrogen. Although this hormone normally helps cells grow, it also provides 'nutrition' to cancer cells.
Doctors test the levels of estrogen in breast cancer cells and plan treatment accordingly. Hormone therapy, in particular, works to reduce the effect of this hormone estrogen on cancer cells.
If you have ER+ breast cancer, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor . Be sure to listen to and understand what your treatment options are and how each treatment will help you. You are not alone, and there are many doctors and support services available to help you.
Don't forget that this condition can be well controlled with early detection and proper treatment.
` ER+ Breast Cancer, Estrogen, Breast Cancer Symptoms, Hormone Therapy, Cancer Treatment, Women's Health, Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
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