Unfortunately, breast cancer is a long-silenced "taboo subject". Everyone knows about the disease, but most people turn a blind eye to it. For example, a woman who has had her breast amputated may be considered unaesthetic or no longer a woman at all. Even affected women often no longer feel feminine. It is therefore necessary for affected women to come out in the open and show their fellow men that they are still fully-fledged women even with only one breast or none at all, and that they have also beaten the battle against cancer.
In the following paper I will deal with the topic of breast cancer and show that as a woman, but also as a man, one should deal with the disease. At the beginning, I would like to explain the structure of the breast, because in my opinion, knowledge about the structure can be beneficial for self-examination. In addition, the word "tumour" should be taken up and explained, because not every tumour means cancer.
Then I would like to talk specifically about breast cancer and give a description of it. In addition, some of the risk factors that are thought to increase the risk of cancer will be discussed. Unfortunately, this point is still very controversial in science because there is too little epidemiological evidence.
Finally, I will make an excursion into preventive examinations and self-monitoring and thus appeal for the importance of taking these preventive measures. This is the only way to detect the disease at an early stage and hopefully defeat it.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. General
2.1 Breast structure
2.2 A lump in the chest – benign or malignant?
3. Breast cancer
3.1 Definition
3.2 Causes / Risk factors
3.3 Symptoms
3.4 Frequency
4. Therapy options
4.1 Breast-conserving operations
4.2 Chemotherapy
4.3 Irradiation
5. Early detection / preventive examination
5.1 Doctor's check / preventive examinations
5.2 Self-examination / self-control
Objectives and Topics
This work provides a comprehensive overview of breast cancer, aiming to destigmatize the disease while educating both men and women on anatomy, risk factors, therapy options, and the critical importance of early detection.
- Anatomical structure of the breast and its life-cycle changes.
- Distinction between benign tumors and malignant breast cancer.
- Analysis of major risk factors and epidemiological context.
- Common therapeutic approaches including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
- Practical guidelines for preventive examinations and self-screening.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Breast structure
The female breast, Latin "mamma", which belongs to the femininity of every woman, consists mainly of fat, connective and glandular tissue. The glandular and adipose tissue is embedded in the connective tissue, which is crisscrossed with lymphatic vessels, blood vessels and milk ducts. (Höffken, 2003). There are no muscles in the chest, it lies only on the pectoral muscle. Connective and adipose tissue give the breast the strength and shape. The glandular tissue of a breast consists of about twelve to twenty glandular lobes, which produce breast milk during lactation. The glandular tissue is connected by a system of milk ducts arranged around the nipple. In these corridors, breast milk is collected and transported to the nipple. The milk ducts are praying into the breast tissue (Fischl, holiday, 2005). The milk bags, which flow out of the milk ducts shortly before the nipple, function like a kind of liquid pump when breastfeeding. The area courtyard, on which the mamille (nipple) is located, is surrounded by small sebaceous glands, which secrete a lubricant during lactation. This serves to ensure that the nipple does not become sore when breastfeeding (Berg, 2007).
The lymphatic plexus, which is barely perceptible to the naked eye, runs through the chest with its pathways to the adjacent lymph nodes. This system transports tissue fluid through the body to the lymph nodes. The lymphatic pathways thus serve the immune system to keep the body healthy (Höffken, 2003). In a healthy state, the lymph nodes are about the size of a lens, flat and barely palpable, unlike in an existing disease in which the lymph nodes swell and often begin to ache.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction establishes breast cancer as a critical but often taboo health topic and outlines the author's intention to educate on anatomy, risks, and early prevention.
2. General: This chapter covers the biological structure of the female breast and differentiates between benign lumps and malignant tumors.
3. Breast cancer: This section defines breast cancer, explores its underlying causes and risk factors, lists typical symptoms, and provides statistical data on its frequency.
4. Therapy options: This chapter details the primary medical treatments for breast cancer, specifically focusing on breast-conserving surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
5. Early detection / preventive examination: The final chapter emphasizes the importance of medical screenings and regular self-examinations as the most effective tools for early intervention.
Keywords
Breast cancer, Oncology, Anatomy of the breast, Mamma, Tumor, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Breast-conserving surgery, Mammography, Self-examination, Preventive measures, Epidemiology, Lymph nodes, Health education, Women's health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this document?
This work provides an educational overview of breast cancer, covering anatomy, diagnostics, therapy options, and the vital role of preventive care.
What are the central thematic areas covered?
The main themes include breast biology, the distinction between benign and malignant growths, risk factor analysis, common medical treatments, and screening techniques.
What is the main goal of this publication?
The objective is to reduce the stigma surrounding breast cancer and encourage readers to take proactive steps in monitoring their health through early detection.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The work is based on an analysis of medical literature, epidemiological data, and existing research on breast health and oncology.
What topics are addressed in the main body?
The body discusses the anatomy of the breast, the pathology of cancer, statistical frequency, specific therapeutic interventions, and self-check protocols.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Key terms include breast cancer, oncology, self-examination, mammography, and therapeutic interventions.
How is a distinction made between benign and malignant tumors?
The text explains that benign tumors, such as lipomas or fibroadenomas, do not metastasize, whereas malignant tumors (breast cancer) involve the uncontrollable division of altered cells with the risk of spreading.
Why is the "guardian lymph node" mentioned?
It is identified as the first lymph node in the tumor's drainage path; examining it helps surgeons determine if further node removal is necessary, supporting more targeted treatment.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Kim Busch (Autor:in), 2008, Breast cancer. An overview of causes, symptoms and treatment options, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1158774
