Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer : Simple Implant Placement, Latissimus Dorsi, Rectus Abdominus
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
This operation takes one to two hours. It is usually done under general anesthesia, but local anesthesia is sometimes used and it can be done as outpatient surgery. A small incision is made along the lower portion of the breast near the mastectomy scar

Breast Cancer : Determining Therapy, Reconstruction Options
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Treatment is based on the extent of the disease and the biology of the specific tumor. Evaluation of these factors guides the approach to surgery and, if needed, adjuvant therapy. In addition, a woman's age and menopausal status are significant.

Breast Cancer : Adjuvant Therapy, Drug Therapy
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Following either mastectomy or lumpectomy with radiation, additional (adjuvant) therapy is given to most women whose cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. This may be chemotherapy or hormone therapy, or both.

Breast Cancer: Woman Is Partner in Choosing Treatment
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
This conclusion to a two-part series discusses new approaches to diagnosting and treating breast cancer that are giving women an unprecedented opportunity to share with their physicians decisions about surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Breast Cancer : Mammography Saves Lives
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Widespread screening programs for women 50 and over can reduce breast cancer death rates by 30 percent. A new analysis of a study by the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York published by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in 1988 showed

Breast Cancer : The Estrogen Connection, Anatomy of a Disease
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Of increasing interest is the possible relation of a high-fat diet to breast cancer. The death rate from breast cancer is highest in countries, including the United States, in which the intake of fat and animal protein is high.

Breast Cancer: Complacency the Enemy of Cure
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Since the early 1970's, the incidence of breast cancer has risen about 1 percent a year. Despite unprecedented openness about the disease, along with strides in diagnosis and treatment, complacency remains a stumbling block to cure.

Recurrent Breast Cancer, Nutrition and Physical Activity, Follow-up Care
by National Cancer Institute
Recurrent cancer is cancer that has come back after it could not be detected. Treatment for the recurrent disease depends mainly on the location and extent of the cancer. Another main factor is the type of treatment the woman had before.

Breast Cancer: Biological Therapy, Treatment Choices by Stage
by National Cancer Institute
Biological therapy helps the immune system fight cancer. The immune system is the body's natural defense against disease. Some women with breast cancer that has spread receive a biological therapy called Herceptin (trastuzumab).

Breast Cancer: Surgery, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy
by National Cancer Institute
Doctors use two types of radiation therapy to treat breast cancer. Some women receive both types: External radiation: The radiation comes from a large machine outside the body. Most women go to a hospital or clinic for treatment.

Breast Cancer: Surgery
by National Cancer Institute
Surgery is the most common treatment for breast cancer. There are several types of surgery. Your doctor can explain each type, discuss and compare the benefits and risks, and describe how each will change the way you look

Breast Cancer: Treatment
by National Cancer Institute
Many women with breast cancer want to take an active part in making decisions about their medical care. It is natural to want to learn all you can about your disease and treatment choices. Knowing more about breast cancer helps many women cope.

What You Need To Know About Breast Cancer
by National Cancer Institute
You will read about possible causes, screening, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care. You will also find ideas about how to cope with the disease. Scientists are studying breast cancer to find out more about its causes.

Understanding Breast Changes: A Health Guide for All Women
by National Cancer Institute
Breast changes occur in almost all women. Most of these changes are not cancer. However, some breast changes may be signs of cancer. Breast changes that are not cancer are called benign.

Breast Cancer Breast Reconstruction, Emotional Health
by National Cancer Institute
Breast reconstruction (surgery to rebuild a breast's shape) is often an option after mastectomy. Some health insurance plans pay for all or part of the cost of breast reconstruction and, also, for surgery to the other breast so that both breasts

Breast Cancer High-Dose Chemotherapy, Hormonal and Biological Therapy
by National Cancer Institute
In breast cancer treatment clinical trials, researchers at NCI and other health institutions are testing high-dose chemotherapy to find out if it is better than standard chemotherapy.

Breast Cancer Surgery
by National Cancer Institute
Surgery has an important role in the treatment of patients with breast cancer. Most women can choose between breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy with radiation therapy) or removal of the breast (mastectomy).

Breast Cancer Treatment Options
by National Cancer Institute
Once you receive your doctor's opinion about what treatments you need, you have the right to get more advice before you make up your mind. Other doctors' opinions can help you make one of the most important decisions of your life.

Understanding Breast Cancer Treatment
by National Cancer Institute
What Causes Breast Cancer? Each year in the United States, almost 180,000 women are told they have breast cancer. Upon hearing this unexpected and overwhelming news, a woman is faced with having to make treatment choices within a short period of time.

Tamoxifen
by National Cancer Institute
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex®) is a medication in pill form that interferes with the activity of estrogen (a hormone). Tamoxifen has been used for more than 20 years to treat patients with advanced breast cancer.