The Villages - October 2019 - 20

Medical researchers are constantly looking for new
ways to detect and treat breast cancer, as well as ways to
refine existing methods.
Here are some of the things scientists and doctors are
researching, according to the American Cancer Society.
THE EFFECT EXERCISE, WEIGHT FLUCTUATIONS
AND DIET HAVE ON CANCER RISK: Staying
healthy is important, and researchers are looking
into the effect that has on cancer risk.
ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES OF BREAST CANCER:
The American Cancer Society says this is a relatively
new area of study that is receiving active research.

KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer
can help detect it early, which helps tremendously
with treatment.
The American Cancer Society says knowing
how your breasts normally look and feel is an
important part of breast health, and the organization
recommends having an experienced health care
professional check any time you find something
abnormal.
Here are some of the signs and symptoms of breast
cancer according to the organization.
Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no
distinct lump is felt).
Skin irritation or dimpling (sometimes
looking like an orange peel).
Breast or nipple pain.
Nipple retraction (turning inward).
Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the
nipple or breast skin.
Nipple discharge (other than breast milk).
The American Cancer Society goes on to say that
although any of these symptoms may be caused
by something other than breast cancer, it still is
important to tell your doctor whenever they occur.

ONLINE
RESOURCES
20

OCTOBER 2019

SCINTIMAMMOGRAPHY: A slightly radioactive
drug called a tracer is injected into the patient's body
through a vein. The tracer then attaches to breast
cancer cells and can be detected using a special
camera. Some doctors believe this method
could help look at suspicious areas in regular
mammograms, but it is still being researched.
CHEMOTHERAPY: Researchers are still doing work
to determine who would benefit from chemotherapy
the most. Due to chemotherapy's often intense side
effects, determining who would best benefit from it
before starting treatment would help doctors find the
right treatment method earlier in the process.
ONCOPLASTIC SURGERY: A lumpectomy or partial
mastectomy removes only the tumor and part of
the surrounding breast tissue. A full mastectomy
removes the entire breast. With developments in
oncoplastic surgery, doctors combine plastic surgery
techniques with breast cancer surgery - shaping
and reconstructing the breast as they remove the
tumor.
POST-CANCER CARE: Medical trials are under way
to test medicines that help improve memory and
brain symptoms following chemotherapy treatment.
Other studies are looking at whether cardiac drugs
can help prevent some of the heart problems
sometimes associated with chemotherapy.

National Cancer Institute: cancer.gov/types/breast
American Cancer Society: cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer.html
Breast Cancer Resource Center: bcrc.org

Chinnapongh/iStock / Getty Images Plus

NEW RESEARCH
http://www.cancer.gov/types/breast http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer.html http://www.bcrc.org
The Villages - October 2019

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