BREAT CANCER FAQ

1. Why is breast cancer relevant?

A:
About 11% of all new cases of breast cancer are found in women younger than 40 years of age

2. What are the stages of breast cancer and the survival rates

3. What are the symptoms of breast cancer? What are warning signs of breast cancer?
1. New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
2. Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
3. Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
4. Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
5. Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
6. Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
7. Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
8. Pain in any area of the breast.

4. How often should I do a breast self exam?

5. What are the causes and risk factors for breast cancer?

best way to determine if you are at average or high risk for breast cancer is to talk with your Oncologist
about your family history and your personal medical history. In general, women at high risk for breast
cancer include women with a family history of breast cancer in a first degree relative (mother, sister, or
daughter), women with an inherited gene mutation, and women with a personal history of breast
cancer.
Risk Factors You Cannot Change
 Getting older.
 Genetic mutations.
 Reproductive history.
 Having dense breasts. Personal history of breast cancer or certain non-cancerous breast
diseases.
 Family history of breast cancer.
 Previous treatment using radiation therapy

Risk Factors You Can Change

Not being physically active.
Being overweight or obese after menopause.
Taking hormones.
Reproductive history.
Drinking alcohol.
6. What is breast self examination?

7. What are the screening tests for breast cancer? How is it diagnosed?

A: we now recommend that women at average risk for breast cancer start annual screening with
mammograms at age 45. The evidence shows that the risk of cancer is lower for women ages 40 to 44.
These pts should have the opportunity to begin screening based on their preferences and their
consideration of the tradeoffs
TRIPLE ASSESSMENT: means you will be: Examined by a breast surgeon. Have a mammogram
and/or ultrasound. Have a core biopsy or fine needle aspiration

 SBE is very important for women to be aware of how their breasts normally look and feel and to
report any changes to a health care provider right away. Breast Self-Awareness
 Clinical breast examination (CBE) is a physical exam done by a health professional.
 Mammography is the best test we have at this time to find breast cancer early. However, a
woman undergoing breast cancer screening needs to know that mammography at any age is not
100% accurate. Overall, mammography will detect about 85% of breast cancers.
 USG: The accuracy of mammography improves as women age – thus, accuracy is slightly better
for women in their 50s than women in their 40s
 MRI: MRI screening for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is more than 15%.

If breast cancer is diagnosed, What next?

A: other tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the breast or to other parts of the
body. This process is called staging. Whether the cancer is only in the breast, is found in lymph nodes
under your arm, or has spread outside the breast determines your stage of breast cancer. The type and
stage of breast cancer tells doctors what kind of treatment you need.

8. How can I lower my chances of getting breast cancer?

A: Keep a healthy weight. Exercise regularly. Don’t drink alcohol, or limit alcoholic drinks to no more
than one per day. If you are taking, or have been told to take, hormone replacement therapy or oral
contraceptives, ask your doctor about the risks and find out if it is right for you. Breastfeed your
children. If you have a family history of breast cancer or inherited changes in your BRCA1 and BRCA2
genes, talk to your doctor about other ways to lower your risk

9. What are the treatment option for breast cancer?

A: Combination of
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiation
Hormone therapy
10. What are the possible side effects of each treatment option for breast cancer? How to manage
them?

11. What to expect after surgery for breast cancer? How is the follow up care after treatment?

12. Can breast cancer come back after treatment? How can I lower the risks?

13. Should I get breast reconstruction surgery? What are the alternatives?

14. Will my breast cancer treatment affect my ability to have a baby or breastfeed?

If you have had breast surgery and/or radiation, you might have problems breastfeeding from the
affected breast. Studies have shown reduced milk production in that breast as well as structural changes
that can make breastfeeding painful, or make it harder for the baby to latch onto the breast. Many
breast cancer treatments can affect a woman's milk supply or negatively impact on the baby. ... Women
who are having chemotherapy will need to stop breast-feeding. Radiation: Some women undergoing
radiation treatment may be able to continue breast-feeding, depending on the specific type of therapy

Some treatments for breast cancer might affect a woman’s fertility (ability to have a baby). For example,
chemotherapy for breast cancer might damage the ovaries, which can sometimes cause immediate or
delayed infertility. Still, many women are able to become pregnant after treatment. breast cancer
survivors to wait at least 2 years after treatment is finished before trying to get pregnant. The best
length of time to wait is not clear, but 2 years is thought to be enough time to find any early return of
the cancer, which could affect your decision to become pregnant.

15. Living as a breast cancer survivor (Body image issues, pregnancy, etc)

Altered body image, intimacy and sex after breast cancer. Tips for Breast Cancer Survivors
Get moving. If you pick one healthy thing to change in your life, physical activity is likely to make the
fastest change in how you feel and also potentially reduce your cancer-related risks. ...
Eat well. ...
Live a healthy lifestyle. ...
Reclaim your body. ...
Manage symptoms. ...
Connect with other survivors
ORAL CANCER

1. What is oral or mouth cancer? Which areas does it occur?

2. What's are causes and risk factors for oral cancer?

Tobacco use of any kind, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and snuff, among others.
Heavy alcohol use. Excessive sun exposure to your lips. A sexually transmitted virus called human
papillomavirus (HPV). Tobacco, Alcohol, Betel quid and areca nut, Human papillomavirus (HPV), Sun
exposure, Diet low in vegetables and fruit, Weakened immune system, Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
Poor oral health, Poor-fitting dentures

3. What are the symptoms and warning signs of oral cancer?

 a sore or ulcer that does not heal or bleeds
 difficulty chewing or swallowing
 a lump or sore area in the mouth, throat or on the lips
 a white or red patch in the mouth
 difficulty moving the tongue or jaw
 Ear or jaw pain
 unexpected weight loss
 tenderness, pain, or lumps anywhere in the mouth or neck

4. How is oral cancer diagnosed?

Physical exam, biopsy, CT scan,MRI

5. How can I prevent oral cancer? See your dr regularly

6. What are the treatment options for oral cancer?

Oral cancer is fairly common and very curable if found and treated at an early stage.
1. Surgery: ONCOLOGY + Plastic
2. Radiation
3. Chemotherapy

7. What are the potential side effects of oral cancer treatment? How can they be managed?
 changes in your skin that look like a sunburn.
 hoarseness.
 changes in taste.
 dryness of the mouth.
 weakening of teeth.
 pain, sores, or redness in the mouth.
8. Is oral cancer related to human papilloma virus (HPV)?
Research shows that infection with the HPV virus is a risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer. In recent
years, HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer in the tonsils and the base of the tongue has become more
common. Sexual activity, including oral sex, with someone who has HPV is the most common way
someone gets HPV. There are vaccines available to protect you from HPV. To reduce your risk of HPV
infection, limit your number of sexual partners.

9. What to expect after surgery for oral cancer? How is the follow up care after treatment?
Unique,,,field cancerization
Quit tobacco
Follow up

10. Can oral cancer come back after treatment? How to reduce the chances?

11. How is life after surgery for oral cancer? What is the prognosis?
Patients who have recurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma tend to do worse if the new cancer
appears at the same site early or if it appears in the lymph nodes six months or longer after initial
treatment.