Dr. Andrea Ross

  Breast Cancer Risk Factors: Understanding What Puts You at Risk Breast cancer is a complex disease influenced by a variety of factors. While anyone can develop breast cancer, certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of its occurrence. Understanding these factors can empower individuals to take proactive steps toward prevention and early detection. Age: The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Statistically, the majority of breast cancer cases occur in women over the age of 50. However, it's important to note that younger individuals can also be affected. Family History and Genetics: Family History: Having close relatives (especially first-degree relatives like a mother, sister, or daughter) who have had breast cancer increases your risk. The risk is higher if multiple family members are affected or if the cancer occurs at a young age. Genetic Mutations (BRCA1/BRCA2): Inheriting mutations in genes such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 significantly elevates the risk. These gen...

   Absolutely, you've provided a con cise description of some common benign breast conditions. Let's take a closer look at each of these examples: Fibroadenomas: These are smooth, solid, non-cancerous lumps that are often painless and commonly found in young women. They are made up of glandular and connective tissue and can vary in size. While they are not typically associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, they might need to be monitored over time. Cysts: Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can develop in breast tissue. They can feel like round or oval lumps and are often tender, especially before menstruation. Cysts can come and go in the menstrual cycle. Although they are usually benign, they might need to be aspirated (fluid withdrawn with a needle) if they are large, painful, or causing concern. Fibrocystic Changes: This is a common condition where the breast tissue becomes denser and more lumpy due to changes in hormone levels. This can lead to tende...

  Precision Medicine and Targeted Therapies: These therapies focus on specific genetic or molecular abnormalities present in cancer cells. They aim to target these abnormalities with drugs, which can lead to more efficient tumor control with fewer side effects compared to traditional treatments. Immunotherapy: As mentioned earlier, immunotherapy is a ground-breaking approach that harnesses the body's own immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. This has shown remarkable success in various types of cancer, including some forms of breast cancer. CAR-T Cell Therapy: This is a form of immunotherapy where a patient's T cells (a type of immune cell) are engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that target specific proteins in cancer cells. These modified T cells are then infused back into the patient, where they can recognize and attack cancer cells. Radio embolization and Radiotherapy Techniques: These techniques use targeted radiation to destroy ca...

  Redness and Warmth: The affected breast may appear r red, swollen, and feel warm to the touch. This is due to the buildup of cancer cells blocking lymph vessels, leading to inflammation. Swelling: The breast can become noticeably larger, firmer, and more tender compared to the other breast. This swelling occurs because of the cancer cells obstructing the lymphatic vessels, causing fluid retention. Peau d'Orange: The skin of the breast may develop a texture resembling an orange peel, with dimpling or ridges caused by the buildup of cancer cells in the lymphatic vessels beneath the skin. Pain: The affected breast might be painful, and this pain is usually not relieved by common pain medications. Rapid Progression: IBC tends to progress more quickly than other types of breast cancer, spreading to nearby lymph nodes and other parts of the body at an accelerated rate. Due to the aggressive nature of IBC, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. It's importa...

  Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS), süt kanallarının iç yüzeyinde anormal hücrelerin bulunduğu ancak çevre dokulara yayılmadığı bir tür pre-invaziv meme kanseridir. "In situ" terimi, Latince kökenli olup "yerinde" anlamına gelir ve kanser hücrelerinin bulunduğu bölgeyi sınırlar. Bununla DCIS , genellikle mamografiler sırasında saptanır ve çoğu durumda belirli semptomlara yol açmaz. Bununla birlikte, ilerleyen safhalarda invaziv meme kanserine dönüşebilme potansiyeline sahiptir. Bu nedenle, erken teşhis ve tedavi önemlidir. DCIS teşhisi konduğunda, tedavi yaklaşımı genellikle şunları içerebilir: Cerrahi Girişimler : DCIS vakalarının çoğunda cerrahi müdahale gereklidir. Bu, genellikle lumpektomi olarak adlandırılan bir işlemi içerebilir. Lumpektomi, sadece anormal hücreleri içeren bölgenin çıkarılması anlamına gelir. Radyoterapi : Lumpektomi sonrası radyoterapi önerilebilir . Bu, meme dokusundaki olası kanser hücrelerinin yok edilmesine yardımcı olabilir....

You're correct in your description of breast cancer. It is indeed the most prevalent form of breast pathology and involves the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the breast tissue. Here's a bit more detail about the types you mentioned: Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): DCIS is a non-invasive form of breast cancer where abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct but have not spread outside the duct to invade the surrounding tissue. It is often detected through mammograms and is considered an early-stage cancer. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): This is the most common type of breast cancer . IDC begins in the milk ducts of the breast and then invades nearby tissues in the breast. It can also spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system and bloodstream. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): ILC begins in the lobules (the milk-producing glands) of the breast and can then spread to nearby tissues and other parts of the body. It's less c...