Breast Cancer

More women die from lung cancer than from breast cancer. But, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women.

• The National Cancer Institute estimates that one out of every eight American women will get breast cancer.
• Breast cancer is not necessarily a “death sentence.” Overall, the chance of surviving breast cancer for longer than five years is 80%.
• Remember, men can get breast cancer, too!

HOW IS BREAST CANCER TREATED?

Surgery is used in most cases.

• ¨A lumpectomy removes the tumor and a little extra tissue.
• ¨A mastectomy removes the breast, or part of the breast. Some lymph nodes from under the arm may be removed as well if the cancer has spread.
• ¨Sometimes a woman may have reconstructive or implant surgery to improve the appearance of the surgical site.

Chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be used in addition to surgery.

Hormone therapy may be used. Some cancer cells are more likely to grow when the female hormone estrogen is present. An “estrogen blocking” drug may be given to discourage cancer cell growth.

What are some common complications?

• Like most cancers, breast cancer can spread. It may spread to nearby lymph nodes. It can also spread to the liver, lungs, bones, and brain.
• After surgery, your client with breast cancer may experience swelling of the breast, breast tenderness, wound infection or bleeding, and swelling of the arm, called lymphedema.
• After a mastectomy, some women complain of phantom breast pain, unpleasant itching, a sensation of “pins and needles,” pressure, and throbbing.
• Cancer, in general, causes pain as tumors grow and invade healthy areas of the body. There may be organ, nerve, and bone pain. The pain may be described as aching, sharp, or stabbing.