Recently, a major national study found that women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) -- particularly those taking combined estrogen and progestin HRT for five years or longer -- had an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Women who have been on hormone replacement for five or more years should talk to their health-care provider about the risks and benefits of treatment.
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Citrus Memorial Hospital answeredThe goals of breast cancer surgery are simple—remove the cancer, stage the cancer and determine further therapy.
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St. Petersburg General Hospital answeredSee All 4 AnswersDense breasts are not an indicator for breast cancer, but we do know it gives a slightly higher risk. More importantly, when the breasts are extremely dense or of a mixed density, it makes it more difficult to find cancers during screening mammography. This is because cancers will show up as white lesions, so if the breast is completely white looking [the same color as dense breast tissue], it’s more difficult to identify the cancers.
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A benign breast biopsy does put you at a little increased risk for breast cancer because it is just telling us that your breast is prone to a positive finding on a mammogram(MGM). If your biopsy shows high risk lesion such as atypia or LCIS then it will raise your risk and put you into a high risk category.
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Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is chronic nerve (neuropathic) pain after lumpectomy or mastectomy. Studies have shown that between 20 and 60 percent of women develop PMPS after surgery, but it is often not recognized as such. The classic signs of PMPS are chest wall pain and tingling down the arm. Pain may also be felt in the shoulder, scar, arm, or armpit. Other common complaints include numbness, shooting or pricking pain, or unbearable itching.
PMPS is thought to be linked to damage done to the nerves in the armpit and chest during surgery. But the causes are not known. Because major surgeries are less often used to treat breast cancer today, PMPS is becoming less of a problem.
It is important to talk to your doctor about any pain you are having. PMPS can cause you to not use your arm the way you should and over time you could lose the ability to use it normally.
PMPS can be treated. Opioids or narcotics are medicines commonly used to treat pain, but they may not work well for nerve pain. But there are medicines and treatments that do work for this kind of pain. Talk to your doctor to get the pain control you need.
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Methodist Hospital answeredNo one battles breast cancer alone, and resources are important for a patient’s family, as well. An oncology nurse navigator provides aid to a patient’s loved ones.
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See All 3 AnswersIt is important to realize that most breast abnormalities are not breast cancer. However, any change in your breast should be reported to your healthcare provider. New lumps, discharge from the nipple, dimpling or retraction of the skin or nipple, redness that does not go away or pain that does not go away should be evaluated.
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See All 3 AnswersBreast cancer surgery is a personal decision. Your care team will help you understand all of your breast cancer surgery options so you can decide on the treatment that is right for you.
- Prior to breast cancer surgery, your care team will explain what you can expect, answer your questions and help you feel comfortable with the upcoming procedure. Also, your surgeon may perform a sentinel lymph node biopsy to determine which lymph nodes need to be removed in the underarm, and help to reduce the risk of developing lymphedema.
- During breast cancer surgery, pathologists can evaluate tissue samples as they are removed and provide pathology results immediately. This helps to ensure that your surgical oncology team is able to remove as much cancerous tissue as possible during surgery, reducing the likelihood that you will have to undergo multiple surgeries.
- After breast cancer surgery, your care team will work with you to help prevent lymphedema and manage any side effects. You may also have breast reconstruction (plastic surgery) to rebuild the breast. In addition, an image enhancement specialist should be available to help you find ways to look and feel your best.
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Frankfort Regional Medical Center answeredBefore undergoing breast cancer surgery, expect to have a biopsy for the right diagnosis, and then discuss the right treatment plans with your doctor.
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The following are some of the breast cancer surgery options available :
- Sentinel node mapping and biopsy
- Lumpectomy
- Mastectomy
- Breast reconstruction
- Lymphedema management
Before or after breast cancer surgery, you may receive adjuvant (additional) treatment to stop cancer growth, spread or recurrence in the treated area. Adjuvant breast cancer treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy or a combination of these treatments.