Sierra Nevada Cancer Center Helps Women with Breast Cancer

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Sierra Nevada Cancer Center Helps Women with
Breast Cancer
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• It is estimated that in the year 2015, about
  40,290 wives, mothers, daughters, granddaughters,
  nieces and sisters will die from breast cancer.
• However, according to the American Cancer
  Society, there are currently more than 2.8
  million breast cancer survivors in the United
  States.
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• We like that number.
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• Yes, breast cancer can be deadly. But the big
  picture reveals Many, MANY survive. And we at
  Sierra Nevada Cancer Center are here to help.
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• Breast cancer is comprised of malignant cells
  that start in the cells of the breast and can
  grow into surrounding tissues or spread to
  distant areas of the body.

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• At Sierra Nevada Cancer, we believe in fighting
  alongside our patients when treating breast
  cancer. We strive to educate patients about
  breast cancer and the treatment options that are
  best for them.
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• Early detection is vital for any kind of cancer
  specific to breast cancer, the following are the
  American Cancer Society recommendations for early
  breast cancer detection in women without breast
  symptoms
• Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram
  every year and should continue to do so for as
  long as they are in good health.
• Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical
  breast exam (CBE) as part of a periodic (regular)
  health exam by a health professional preferably
  every 3 years. Starting at age 40, women should
  have a CBE by a health professional every year.

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• Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women
  starting in their 20s. Women should be told about
  the benefits and limitations of BSE. Women should
  report any breast changes to their health
  professional right away.
• Women who are at high risk for breast cancer
  based on certain factors should get an MRI and a
  mammogram every year.

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 Treatment Options

• So if breast cancer is detected, how can it be
  treated?
• There are numerous ways to treat breast cancer,
  and the type of treatment recommended will always
  take stage of the disease, lifestyle and personal
  patient histories into consideration.
• Patients at SNCC experience one-on-one
  counseling, complete education about options and
  consultation about side effects, expected
  outcomes and considerations for each choice.

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• Primarily, however, these are the main types of
  treatment for breast cancer
• Surgery
• Breast-conserving surgery where only the part of
  the breast containing the cancer is removed.
• Mastectomy surgery that removes the entire
  breast, including breast tissue and other nearby
  tissues.
• Radiation therapy
• External beam radiation radiation applied from a
  machine outside the body on the area affected by
  the cancer.
• Brachytherapy known as internal radiation,
  radioactive seeds or pellets are placed into a
  device in the breast tissue in the area where the
  cancer was identified.

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• Chemotherapy cancer-killing drugs that may be
  given intravenously (injected into a vein) or by
  mouth.
• Hormone therapy most often used to help reduce
  the risk of the cancer coming back after surgery,
  but also used to treat cancer that has come back
  after treatment or has spread.
• Targeted therapy drugs that target the HER2/neu
  protein. A number of drugs have been developed
  that target this protein
• Trastuzumab (Herceptin)
• Pertuzumab (Perjeta)
• Ado-trastuzumabemtansine (Kadcyla)
• Lapatinib (Tykerb)
• Bone-directed therapy drugs like bisphosphonates
  and denosumab are used when cancer spreads to
  bones, to lower the risks of pain, fractures and
  other problems.

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• Our next post (article) will focus on the
  importance of personal Cancer Care, risk factors
  for breast cancer and preventive measures.
• In the meantime, if you or someone you love is
  diagnosed with breast cancer, Sierra Nevada
  Cancer facilities are specifically designed to
  make Cancer Treatments relaxing and comfortable,
  allowing us to aid you in your battle against
  cancer.
• For more information about breast cancer, click
  here. http//www.sierranevadacancer.com/news/focus
  -breast-cancer