May 31, 2010
Ways of Detecting Breast Cancer
There are several ways that can be used to detect breast cancer including self- examination, genetic testing and X-ray mammography screening to name but the most common. Studies have shown that although self-examination may not be the most effective way to detect breast cancer, it is the most common method and is attributed to most detection albeit at advanced stages. This is because self-examination cannot be used to detect breast cancer at its early stages. Its greatest shortcoming is that it leads to unnecessary anxiety and panic when there is suspicion of breast cancer tumor in the breast. To carry out self-examination of breast cancer, feel your breasts on a weekly or monthly basis. What you will be looking for is any inconsistency or anything that does not feel normal in the breasts.
Genetic screening is a breast cancer detection method where some genes are tested for mutations especially for women whose families have had a history of breast cancer in the past. The most common method of detecting breast cancer is X-ray mammography. This is a screening method that is recommended by experts for use on patients of any age. However, this screening method may miss tumors when used on women with very dense breast tissue in which case MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imager) can be used.
MRI is particularly effective in detecting cancer for women carrying BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast cancer genes. If common belief is anything to go by, biopsy is by far the most definitive and principal way of detecting breast cancer. In this procedure, a small part or the lump in a breast is extracted and examined under the microscope to determine whether cancerous cells are present. Although mammography can detect the smallest cancer that cannot be felt by the patient or the doctor at early stages, it cannot be used to determine between a malignant and benign tumor, it can therefore not be said to be 100 percent effective.
A clinical breast examination (CBE) is a breast cancer detection technique where the doctor checks for lumps or any other changes that could point at breast cancer tumors under the arms and the breasts. It may involve palpation and bilateral inspection of the breasts as well as the supraclavicular and axillary areas. Although its efficacy in detecting breast cancer is uncertain, CBE when used in combination with mammography is convincingly effective in women aged over 50 years. It is recommended that women aged between 20 and 39 undergo CBE examination at least every three years while women aged 40 and above, they should undergo screening annually.
Early breast cancer detection is vital for successful treatment. Certain treatment methods (such as brachytherapy) can only be used for treating early stages of breast cancer – hence early detection gives women more chances for successful recovery.
Dr. Robert Kuske
