Cancer In Layman Terms

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How Does Cancer Spread?

Cancer Cell Invasion

Cancer cells spread by invading healthy cells and destroying them in order to create more abnormal cells, thereby allowing the cancer to grow larger and more menacing. These cells spread throughout the section of the body where it began, healthy cells becoming damaged and then changed into malignant cancer cells. This is known as metastasis, and it is how cancer spreads from one organ to another. If left unchecked, it eventually spreads throughout the body. Even though a certain type of cancer may spread from one organ to another, it is still referred to by the type it was originally. For example, if it begins as lung cancer and then spreads to the liver, it is still referred to as lung cancer and is treated as such. Doctors who diagnose the cancer prefer to do so early in the disease because it is easier for them to diagnose where in the body the disease began.

How Cancer Spread

Cancer can spread in several ways. One is in the bloodstream, traveling through the veins. The most common way is through the lymph nodes, because the cells can flow through the liquid that runs through the lymph channels, which is why surgeons usually remove the nearby lymph nodes when they remove cancerous tumors. If even one cancerous cell gets into the lymph channels, the cancer will return but likely in a different place. Cancer can also spread by moving through the abdominal cavity or other open spaces in the body.

All forms of cancer require access to the bloodstream in order to survive in the body. They are, however, much more likely to spread through veins rather than through the much larger arteries, so it is unlikely that cancerous tumors will grow near arteries. Malignant cells can break off from the original tumor and travel through the veins to a new location, where they implant and begin to grow. Some cancers also grow by spreading gradually in the area of origination, never venturing far beyond the original location.

Accidental Cancer Cell Implantation

In rare cases, metastasis* can be initiated by accidentally dripping a sample of the cancerous cells into a healthy portion of the body. This is usually done during exploratory or biopsy surgery, where extractions of tissue are taken and some of it drips back into the incision again. This is called implantation or inoculation metastasis. To prevent this from happening it is best to remove as much of the cancer as possible during the initial surgery. Removing all of it is preferable if the tumor is small enough. Internal cancers rarely spread to the skin, but skin cancers will often move inward to invade the internal organs of the body. The liver is particularly susceptible to metastasis*.

*Metastatis: the transference of disease-producing organisms or of malignant or cancerous cells to other parts of the body by way of the blood or lymphatic vessels or membranous surfaces.

Latest News about Breast Cancer

MONDAY, March 28 -- Some women who've been treated for early-stage breast cancer are more likely than others to worry excessively that the cancer will return, a new study has found. This type of anxiety, the researchers say, can compromise a woman's medical care and quality of life.
"How much women worry about recurrence is often not aligned with their actual risk for cancer recurrence," study author Nancy Janz.
For most women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, the risk for recurrence is low. Nonetheless, many worry a lot, and "we need to better understand the factors that increase the likelihood that women will worry and develop strategies and appropriate referrals to help women with excessive worry," Janz said.
The study included 2,290 women diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer between June 2005 and February 2007.
Those found to be least likely to worry about cancer recurrence included women who were more easily able to understand clinical information presented to them, who had fewer symptoms and who received more coordinated care. Factors associated with higher levels of worry included being younger, having a job, experiencing more pain and fatigue and undergoing radiation treatment.
To help ease their worries, Janz said, programs developed to help women who've been through breast cancer treatment should be culturally sensitive and reflect differences in women's communication style, social support and coping strategies.

Summary:
 Women who've been treated for early-stage breast cancer are more likely than others to worry excessively that the cancer will return. Factors associated with higher levels of worry included being younger, having a job, experiencing more pain and fatigue and undergoing radiation treatment.Women who've been through breast cancer treatment should be culturally sensitive and reflect differences in women's communication style, social support and coping strategies.

Words related to breast cancer

1. BRCA1
A gene on chromosome 17 that normally helps to suppress cell growth. A person who inherits certain changes in a BRCA1 gene has a higher risk of getting breast, ovarian, prostate, and other types of cancer.

2.BRCA2
A gene on chromosome 13 that normally helps to suppress cell growth. A person who inherits certain mutations changes in a BRCA2 gene has a higher risk of getting breast, ovarian, prostate, and other types of cancer.

3.BRCAPro
A computer program that uses statistics to predict whether a person has an inherited mutation (change) in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. People who have certain mutations in these genes have a higher than normal risk of breast, ovarian, prostate, and other types of cancer. The program is based on personal and family medical histories of breast and ovarian cancer.

4.Breast Duct
A thin tube in the breast that carries milk from the breast lobules to the nipple. Also called milk duct.

5.Breast Density
Describes the relative amount of different tissues present in the breast. A dense breast has less fat than glandular and connective tissue. Mammogram films of breasts with higher density are harder to read and interpret than those of less dense breasts.

6.Breast-Sparing Surgery
An operation to remove the breast cancer but not the breast itself. Types of breast-sparing surgery include lumpectomy (removal of the lump), quadrantectomy (removal of one quarter, or quadrant, of the breast), and segmental mastectomy (removal of the cancer as well as some of the breast tissue around the tumor and the lining over the chest muscles below the tumor). Also called breast-conserving surgery.

7. Breast Carcinoma In Situ
There are 2 types of breast carcinoma in situ: ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). DCIS is a noninvasive condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct (a tube that carries milk to the nipple). The abnormal cells have not spread outside the duct to other tissues in the breast. In some cases, DCIS may become invasive cancer and spread to other tissues, although it is not known how to predict which lesions will become invasive cancer. LCIS is a condition in which abnormal cells are found in the lobules (small sections of tissue involved with making milk) of the breast. This condition seldom becomes invasive cancer; however, having LCIS in one breast increases the risk of developing breast cancer in either breast. Also called stage 0 breast carcinoma in situ.

Breast Cancer Preventive Measures

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, aside from lung cancer. While there are certain risk factors like genetics we cannot change, there are many lifestyle changes we can make to aid in breast cancer prevention.

1) No Alcohol
Studies have determined that women who drink alcoholic beverages develop cancer at a higher rate. Based on studies, ladies who consume 2 to 5 drinks daily have about 1½ times the risk of women who don’t consume alcohol.
(2) Quit Smoking
Although there has not been a direct link between smoking and breast cancer, studies suggest that smoking at an early age can increase a woman’s risk. Not only can it be a risk for breast cancer, smoking is a definite risk factor for lung cancer.
(3) Physical Activities
Physical activities may reduce your risk of breast cancer. Studies by the Women’s Health Initiative found that women who walked briskly 1.25 to 2.5 hours per week reduced a woman’s breast cancer risk by 18%.
(4) Awareness of Your Family Breast Cancer History
Having a family or personal history of breast cancer may increase your risk. If an immediate woman in your family has had breast cancer, it is important to let your doctor know. Studies have shown that breast cancer can be genetic. Genetic testing and counselling is available for those concerned with their risk. Keep in mind, that just because your mother or sister had breast cancer, it does not mean you will definitely develop breast cancer.
(6) Check Your Breasts Monthly
Checking your breasts every month may not reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, but it may help detect breast cancer early. The earlier breast cancer is found, the less aggressive the treatment.
(7) Try To Have A Low Fat Diet
A diet low in fat not only decreases the risk of obesity, it can reduce your risk of breast cancer. We know that estrogen plays a major role in the development of breast cancer. Fat tissue contains small amounts of estrogen and may increase your risk. There have been conflicting studies about fat intake and breast cancer risk, however all studies have concluded that obesity plays a big part in breast cancer development.
(8) Go For Mammogram
Like the breast self exam, a mammogram won’t prevent the development of breast cancer, but it can detect cancer. Sometimes it can be difficult to feel a lump in the breast, and a mammogram is likely to detect any lumps that cannot be felt.
(9) Consider Breastfeeding Instead of Formula Feeding.
Researchers believe that the months without a period during pregnancy and breast feeding may reduce a woman’s risk of breast cancer. This accompanies the data that suggests that early menopause lowers the risk factor, as well.
(10)Have Children Earlier In Life, If Possible
Having no children or having your first child in your mid-thirties or later increases the risk.

Can breast cancer be treated?

Yes, it can be treated.

Breast cancer is usually treated with surgery and then possibly with chemotherapy or radiation, or both. Hormone positive cancers are treated with long term hormone blocking therapy. Treatments are given with increasing aggressiveness according to the prognosis and risk of recurrence.

• Stage 1 cancers  have an excellent prognosis and are generally treated with lumpectomy and sometimes radiation. Cancers should be treated with the trastuzumab regime.Chemotherapy is uncommon for other types of stage 1 cancers.
• Stage 2 and 3 cancers with a progressively poorer prognosis and greater risk of recurrence are generally treated with surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy with or without lymph node removal), chemotherapy and sometimes radiation (particularly following large cancers, multiple positive nodes or lumpectomy).
• Stage 4, metastatic cancer, (i.e. spread to distant sites) has poor prognosis and is managed by various combination of all treatments from surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and targeted therapies. 10 year survival rate is 5% without treatment and 10% with optimal treatment.
• Planning Your Treatment 
  What types of treatment are available and which might be appropriate for you.
  Surgery
  Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), mastectomy, and lymph node dissection, and what to expect from each.
  Chemotherapy
  Who should get it, how it works, different types, side effects, and how to manage them.
  Radiation Therapy
  What it is, who it's for, advantages, side effects, and what to expect when you get it.
  Hormonal Therapy
  The link between hormones and breast cancer and how different groups of drugs — including ERDs, SERMs, and aromatase inhibitors — can affect that link.
  Targeted Therapies
  Including Herceptin: How they work, who should get them, how they're given, side effects, and major studies.