“Breast cancer” is considered to be the number 1 cancer in women with the highest number of cases in the world. It is caused by abnormal cell within the milk ducts or mammary glands divided and they become cancer cells, after that it has expanded into a large lump. At this stage, the patient usually feels about the lump by herself. If the breast cancer does not treat promptly, it will spread into the lymph nodes under the armpit. After that, it will enter to the blood vessels or lymphatic tract and spread to other organs such as the lungs, liver, and bones, eventually causing death to the patient.
For the early stage “breast cancer” patient who is properly treated. The survival rate and being able to live for more than 5 years is as high as 70-90 percent. That rate makes the breast cancer death rate is rather in lower proportion, compared to the number of patients with other types of cancer, such as liver or lung cancer.
Effects of breast cancer
In addition to having an impact on physical health, it must be admitted that “breast cancer” also affects the mental health greatly. The breast is considered an organ that represents femininity, which was originally the “breast cancer” treatment process is diagnosed by a doctor and usually ends with surgery to remove the breast cancer and lymph nodes. It is a surgery that involves removing the entire breast (Total or Simple mastectomy).
But nowadays surgery has changed to be a necessary surgery called Breast Conserving Surgery: BCS, after that the patient is treated with chemotherapy along with radiation treatment covering the breast again. This treatment process is as effective as removing the entire breast. It is the current standard of treatment for breast cancer.
Breast cancer radiation and chemotherapy
Breast cancer radiation is a step after treated with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of medicines that act throughout the body to increase the chance of complete cure. This treatment will help patients live longer from cancer. At the same time, there are some effects from the chemotherapy towards the other normal organs. In the process of creating new cells to replace them, such as the reproductive system, hair and body hair that are noticeably falling out, including the function of producing platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells in the bone marrow. The immune system is affected when white blood cells decreased. Therefore, if it is found that the patient has a decreased number of white blood cells at any time, during the treatment. The treatment must be stopped to allow white blood cells to return to normal level, then, the treatment can proceed.
Radiotherapy to stop the cancer from coming back.
“Radiation” is almost the last treatment step for breast cancer patients. Even so, it causes anxiety for patients, not less than other procedures. In order to have behavior of those who are receiving radiation treatment correctly, and to promote effective treatment, let’s get to know about radiation therapy.
Radiation or Radiation Therapy
This therapy is increasingly playing an important role in the treatment of various cancers. By relying on the principle that radiation to malignant tissue or organ tissue, to destroy the DNA of that tissue to be death. It is a change in shape or physiology that has 2 important objectives:
- Let the patient be cured from cancer, by adhering to the important principle that provides the highest dose of radiation to get the best results and produce acceptable side effects.
- In the case of patients who cannot be cured, radiation will help relieve pain symptoms. Resulting in a better quality of life for both the patient and those around him.
From breast conservation surgery….to radiation therapy
Radiation treatment for breast cancer will be used for the case that firstly use Breast Conserving Surgery. The radiation is given to cover the breast tissue that employs Whole Breast Radiation on the side that received surgery and covers the lymph nodes above the collarbone, lymph nodes in the armpit area. It may extend to the lymph nodes in the chest on the same side where the breast cancer is. This depends on the stage and location of the cancer cells.
Radiation for breast cancer is irradiation at a shallow distance. It does not penetrate deep into the important organs of the patient, so serious side effects are rarely encountered. The irradiation will be done approximately 20-25 times. In some cases, the doctor may consider irradiating only the cancer area (Radiation Boost) for an additional 5-10 times to reduce the rate of recurrence. Radiation is a continuous treatment. Each time it doesn’t take much time. There was no pain at all. The radiation will be given 5 days a week, with 2 days of rest to allow the patient skin to rest and the body to repair damaged parts by radiation.
Side effects from cancer radiation therapy
Side effects from radiation can be divided into two main cases:
1. Side effects appear immediately
This side effects, appear from the start of treatment until approximately 8 weeks after radiation. For example, the skin at the irradiated area changed, for one important point; the armpit area, which is often damp from sweat and rubbing against shirt sleeves, so it easily has a wound. Moreover, patients are also likely to experience other side effects such as fatigue, coughing, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or difficulty swallowing food. This is because thoracic lymph node radiation will also affect some areas of the esophagus.
If the patient has abnormal symptoms such as broken wounds, ulcerated wounds, or bleeding at the irradiated area, including having high fever symptom. The patient should see the treating doctor immediately without waiting for the next appointment. In case it is not convenient, patient can see a doctor at a nearby hospital to get relief from their symptoms.
Therefore, during radiation treatment, patients have to take care of their body to be healthy and get enough rest. In addition, they must undergo a CBC: Complete Blood Count once a week to assess their health status whether they can continue to have a treatment or not. Sometimes, they should take a break to allow the white blood cell count to increase until it is within the treatment criteria. During this time, patients should be careful to protect themselves to reduce the risk of contracting germs. They should cancel social gatherings or going to be in an area with the crowd.
The irradiated area of skin may change to be red, dark, or itchy. It may even cause a burning sensation. Therefore, there should be no disruption to the skin in that area. For example, it should not be exposed to water, cold weather or sunlight, it should not be hot or cold compresses, it should not be rubbed with soap or use of cosmetics. The best method for the patients, is to use a soft cloth and gently blot it after showering or getting wet. Do not swim in swimming pools that contain chlorine because it will make the skin dry. At this stage, it is easily irritated and should not be rubbed, carved, or scratched because it will cause the skin to become abrasive and wound. For easily contract disease, it should be based on the principle of “Clean and dry”. This is the best.
If it is necessary to use skin care product or apply the medicine on the skin at the irradiated area, please let it done under the doctor recommendation.
2. Side effects after treatment
For patients treated with breast conservation, it may be found that the treated breast has changed. It is hard, not as soft as before, the nipple is sunken, or it may be deformed from before. They are not the same size when compared with one another. There are abnormal blood capillaries on the breast. If the patient has a future pregnancy, there may also be no milk from the irradiated breast. Regarding with the arm that have irradiated, there is a chance of swelling from the fingertips to the upper arms. Fingers cannot work normally when abnormalities occur with that arm. Whether it is due to internal inflammation or visible wounds, that arm can easily become infected. Moreover, that shoulder may have frozen shoulder symptom that shoulder joint has fewer ability to rotate or unable to move. Therefore, patients have to exercise their bodies regularly during radiation therapy. After the radiation treatment is finished, they should behave as same as they are receiving radiation for another month. They should follow their doctor’s advice in order to reduce the occurrence of such symptoms.
3D Radiation Technology or Intensity Modulated Radiation Technology
Time changes – technology also changes, so the patients should have more confidence.
Preparation, creating knowledge and understanding of treatment among the patients can help the patient recover quickly and build confidence in themselves. The evolutions in medical care have also led to increased confidence. Currently, radiation therapy has a tool called 3D radiation technology or Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, these will help “Radiation therapists” have more information to plan treatment and radiation dose calculation system in order to be used to distribute the radiation dose to have a specific and comprehensive shape similar to the lesion. This technology will reduce the amount of radiation on nearby organs. Thus, the risk of adverse effects or complications from radiation therapy can be reduced. This way, the doctor can choose to plan the radiation therapy to suit each patient in more detail.
We take care of everything with care and systematicity. Those of you who are deciding whether to come to see a doctor for consultation or not. You will probably relieve a lot of your worries. Don’t forget about “breast cancer”, the sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you get a treatment. Your confidence will be rapidly return.
