Worldwide, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed life-threatening cancer in women and a leading cause of cancer death among women. Many times breast cancer is asymptomatic so most of the times on mammography abnormalities are observed.

But increased public awareness and effective screening contribute a lot in early diagnosis. Even curative therapies and research in medical science have given high survival rates especially in young women.

Breast cancer is the cancer which starts in tissues of the breast. Normally old or damaged cells of the breast stop dividing and die, these cells are replaced by young healthy cells.
In breast cancer instead of this replacement, old cells divide and multiply uncontrollably which leads to development of tumor in the breast.

Homeopathy has effective scope in treatment of breast cancer. Not only treatment but to reduce ill-effects of other modes of treatment in breast cancer, homeopathy can be helpful.

Risk factors
Women are 100 times more likely to get breast cancer than males.
As age increases, risk of developing breast cancer increases.

Family history of cancer
Genetic defects: Some people have genes that make them more prone to have breast cancer.

Menstrual cycles: Early first menses and late menopause is another risk factor

Alcohol intake
Sedentary lifestyle

Late age of 1st term pregnancy
Excessive use of contraceptive pills
Obesity

Radiation: If radiation has been given to a female child in growing age, she has more chances of developing breast cancer

Signs and symptoms
Breast lump which is not painful in most of the cases

Breast deformity due to presence of lump

• Breast pain
• Heaviness in breast
• Change in size, shape or appearance of breast
• Change in the skin of breast, skin becomes dimpled or puckered.
• Discharge from nipples
• Swelling of affected arm
• Skin rash on breast or on nipple
• Skin ulcers
• Weight loss
• Bone pains

Investigations and Diagnosis

• Thorough physical examination by your health care provider with history about symptoms.
• Mammography: To identify breast lump.
• Breast ultrasound: To see consistency of breast whether it is solid or fluid filled.
• Breast MRI
• CT scan
• Breast biopsy: Needle is inserted in lump or breast to remove whole or part of the lump for examination under the microscope in laboratory.
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy

Complications

• Destruction of breast tissue
• Chest pain
• Mastitis: Inflammation of breast
• Nipple discharge
• When breast cancer spreads to other organs means metastasis then following conditions can be seen:
• Respiratory failure
• Lung collapse
• Pneumonia
• Liver failure
• Bone fractures such as hip or wrist

Prevention

• Avoid alcohol
• Loose weight if you are obese
• Take food items which are rich in vitamin C
• Eat high fiber and low fat diet
• Avoid smoked food
• Self breast examination at least once a month in females who are above 19 years
• Breast examination by your doctor at least once in a year after 40 years
• Mammography should be done once in a year after 50 years
• Mammography twice a year over 40 years

Treatment
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells throughout the body. These drugs slow/ halt the spread of cancer beyond the breast. It has side-effects like anorexia, bone marrow damage, constipation, diarrhea, hair loss, mouth sores, fatigue etc.

Radiation therapy: It consists of high power radiations that aim at destroying cancer cells. However, other adjacent healthy cells also get destroyed in the process. It hasside-effects such as skin burns, fatigue, hair loss, headache, nausea and vomiting, other cancers etc.

Lumpectomy or lump removal: surgical procedure.

Mastectomy: Whole breast is removed surgically.

Breast reconstruction: It may be performed at the time of mastectomy or later.

Hormone therapy

Role of Homeopathy
In breast cancer, cells of the breast multiply rapidly and form a cancer. Homeopathy stimulates the system to produce healthy and young cells to grow in the affected areas so that old cells are replaced. Homeopathic medicines arrest cancer spread to adjacent organs.

In cases where patients have started with chemotherapy or radiation, homeopathy can be effective in lessening side-effects such as hair loss, nausea and vomiting, anorexia, constipation, etc.

Even post-surgical complications can be treated with homeopathy effectively. In terminal cases, homeopathy can improve quality of life of that patient.

The person suffering from cancer goes through a lot of emotional turmoil. Many a times patients’ loose hope to live.

Homeopathy works on mental level also so patients become more capable of dealing with such emotions and help them in building optimism towards life.

Cancer is considered to be a social stigma. Irrespective of its prognosis, the diagnosis of cancer is one of the most traumatic events in the life of a person. He has to deal not only with cancer but with many other emotional disturbances associated with the disease.

A feeling of despair, depression and hopelessness, anxiety, mood changes often accompany a cancer patient. Homoeopathic medicines also deal with this disturbed mental state associated with cancer.

A constitutional remedy is necessary to treat most cases of breast cancer. In this, entire history of patient is essential to choose the appropriate remedy.

Homoeopathic medicines are completely safe, gentle and effective. They are side-effect free and are not habit-forming.

Homeopathic medicines act on adults and children and are not contraindicated during pregnancy. They are to be taken after consulting homoeopathic physician.

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Basil Wellness
Understanding Your Health