[libribook.com] Traumatic Scar Tissue Management 1st Edition

Early detection
Breast cancer is typically detected during a screening examination, prior to
symptoms developing or after symptoms have established, including when
a lump is found. Most masses discovered by a mammogram and most
breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous).
As is the case with most cancers, early detection can factor significantly
into prognosis and survival rate. Prognosis and survival considerations
include: disease stage, lymph node status, hormone receptor status, tumor
type, size and grade, degree of lymph and vascular invasion, age,
recurrence and metastasis.
Many countries around the world provide screening programs as a means
of early detection in women between the ages of 50–69 and for other
identified risk groups (e.g. familial history, gene mutations – BRCA1 or 2,
history of breast cancer or atypical hyperplasia, dense breast tissue and
history of regional radiation treatment).
Screening can include: mammography starting at a younger age; more
frequent mammography; ultrasound; MRI; clinical breast exams.
Additionally, the value of self-examination cannot be emphasized enough
as many individuals are the first to notice changes in the look and feel of
their own breasts.
Since the mid-1980s breast cancer mortality has declined in women in
every age group, likely due to increased awareness, implemented screening
measures and improvements in treatment.
• Fatigue.
Side-effects were reported to be ‘severe to extreme, a bit to very much’.
Other available post-treatment sequelae statistics (Peuckmann et al. 2009):
• Chronic/persistent pain – 29%