Explore treatment options beyond surgery for breast cancer with Meri Sehat. Make informed decisions for your health.

Is Surgery The Only Treatment For Breast Cancer?

A widespread misconception is that breast cancer mostly affects women.

Introduction

<a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/breast-cancer-treatment">Breast cancer treatment</a> choices have significantly improved because of advancements in medical technology and research. 
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A widespread misconception is that breast cancer mostly affects women. On the contrary, the condition can be diagnosed in men too. Fortunately, breast cancer is treatable if detected early. 
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Understanding Breast Cancer Treatment Options Beyond Surgery

Your treatment will be based on certain&nbsp; factors, including the stage at which your cancer&rsquo;s been diagnosed, the size and location of your tumor, and, of course, your overall health. 
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<ol>
	<li>Surgery: Surgery is undisputedly the most popular kind of breast cancer therapy available. Whether your doctor goes with lumpectomy or mastectomy, the goal remains the same, i.e., to eliminate the cancerous tissue in your breast.</li>
</ol>

<ol start="2">
	<li>Radiation Therapy: This form of treatment will use high-energy radiation to eliminate any cancer cells that may still be present in the breast tissue following your breast cancer surgery. Radiation treatment can be both internal and external. Internal radiation treatment (also known as brachytherapy) is about placing radioactive material into the breast close to the tumor, whereas external radiation treatment uses a device to send radiation to the damaged region from outside the body.</li>
	<li>Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses medications to destroy cancer cells. You can get the medication orally or through a vein. Typically, it will be combined with other therapies like surgery or radiation therapy. The length and frequency of treatment are determined by the stage your cancer was diagnosed at and your general condition.</li>
	<li>Hormone Therapy: It will be recommended in case you have hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Medications will be used to either block the hormones from attaching to cancer cells or they will be used to stop the production of estrogen after menopause. Sometimes, medications may target hormone production in the ovaries as well. 
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Surgery is mainly used to treat early-stage breast cancer. Your doctor will assess your overall health, how advanced the cancer is, and the size and location of the tumor. They&rsquo;ll also take into account your preference. 
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<ul>
	<li>In a lumpectomy, only the malignant tissue and a narrow margin of good tissue around it are removed surgically. You can go home the same day because the operation is usually an outpatient procedure. However, you may require radiation therapy after surgery to eradicate the remaining cancer cells. If it&rsquo;s a noncancerous tumor, such as a&nbsp;fibroadenoma, it is also called an excisional breast biopsy.</li>
	<li>A mastectomy, on the other hand, will be suggested if your tumor is too big to be removed via a lumpectomy or if the malignancy has progressed to your nipple or areola. A mastectomy can either be a basic mastectomy, in which case only your breast tissue will be removed, or a modified radical mastectomy, in which case your breast tissue, nipple, and lymph nodes will be removed. 
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</ul>

Breast cancer treatment also varies based on the stage of the cancer. There are four stages of breast cancer: 
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<ul>
	<li>Stage 0: Non-invasive breast cancer, also known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), is confined to the milk ducts and has not spread to nearby tissue.</li>
	<li>Stage I: Early-stage breast cancer, where the tumor is small and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.</li>
	<li>Stage II: The tumor is larger than in stage I, and it may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.</li>
	<li>Stage III: The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and possibly other parts of the body.</li>
	<li>Stage IV: The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver, or bones. 
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</ul>

Surgery is frequently used as the first course of therapy for stage 0 and stage I breast cancer. You may require hormone treatment or radiation therapy, depending on the specifics of the malignancy.

For stage II breast cancer, surgery is followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy to eradicate any cancer cells that may have survived.

In contrast, treatment for stage III breast cancer often includes a mix of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Hormone treatment can also be suggested in certain circumstances.

For stage IV breast cancer, the goal of the treatment is to control symptoms and stop the disease from spreading. Hence, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these therapies are all possible forms of treatment at this stage. 
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Breast cancer is a serious public health issue in Pakistan as it is the most common cancer that affects the majority of women in the country. Around 90,000 women in Pakistan are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and unfortunately 40,000 of them pass away from the disease, according to Pink Ribbon Pakistan, a group devoted to educating the public and offering assistance to those who are fighting the disease.

The Pakistani government and several NGOs have taken some measures to address this issue. One such program is the Pink Ribbon Campaign, which Pink Ribbon Pakistan introduced in 2004. The purpose of this campaign is to increase awareness of breast cancer and persuade women to have routine tests for early diagnosis. Millions of individuals have been successfully reached by the campaign throughout Pakistan, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare can be limited. 
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The Prime Minister&#39;s National Health Program, which offers free healthcare services, including cancer treatment, to underprivileged people nationwide, was introduced by the Pakistani government in 2018. Many people who previously couldn&#39;t afford cancer treatment now have better access to it because of this initiative.

Imran Khan, a former cricket player, founded the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center, which offers free care for cancer patients, especially those with breast cancer. Other NGOs that offer assistance and care to patients and their families include the Breast Cancer Foundation and the Pakistan Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled.

Despite these attempts, Pakistan still faces several difficulties in the battle against breast cancer, including a lack of knowledge and social stigma. The Pakistani government and NGOs must continue to work together to raise awareness, improve access to healthcare services, and provide support and care for breast cancer patients and their families. 
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Conclusion

Breast cancer can be intimidating for patients and their loved ones. But, remember that breast cancer can be successfully treated with early diagnosis and the right care, especially given that there are numerous effective treatment options available. This is why it&rsquo;s recommended to be aware of the bodily changes and to visit the doctor regularly for checkups and screening. 
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Key Takeaways

<ul>
	<li>The stage of cancer, the size and location of the tumor, and the patient&#39;s general health all play a role in determining the type of breast cancer treatment.</li>
	<li>The most popular kind of breast cancer therapy is surgery.</li>
	<li>A lumpectomy merely removes the malignant tissue and a tiny portion of the surrounding healthy tissue.</li>
	<li>A mastectomy is carried out to completely remove the breast, together with the nipple and areola.</li>
	<li>Radiation treatment, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy are other options to treat breast cancer.</li>
	<li>Surgery is frequently used as the first course of therapy for stage 0 and stage I breast cancer.</li>
	<li>&nbsp;For stage II breast cancer, surgery is followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy to eradicate any cancer cells that may have survived, while treatment for stage III breast cancer often includes a mix of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.</li>
</ul>

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