Screening for breast cancer: Life Robinson at your service

Early detection of breast cancer leads to more effective treatment. When detected early, approximately 90% of patients survive after their first diagnosis of breast cancer.*

Being diagnosed with breast cancer is frightening and life changing. Not only does the diagnosis prompt fears related to loss of body image, surgery, and death, but it has a far-reaching impact on the patient, the family as well as emotionally, socially and financially.

When diagnosed with breast cancer, patients are often overwhelmed and fearful about the journey ahead,” says Dr Alexander Faber, general surgeon at Life Robinson Private Hospital.

“Ensuring that patients understand their treatment options, as well as the medical professionals, and their respective roles, which form part of the multi-disciplinary team that will support them throughout their journey, will assist to ease some of their anxiety.”

Treatment options are dependent on the patient’s diagnosis.

An accurate cancer diagnosis is crucial for appropriate and effective treatment. Because there are different types of breast cancer, as well as different stages of severity, each type and stage is treated differently,” added Dr Faber.

“The main objective of treatment is to cure cancer or to extend the patient’s life, as well as to maintain the patient’s quality of life.”

Breast cancer treatment may include all or some of the following:

Chemotherapy, which is medication used to shrink or kill cancer cells.

Hormonal therapy stops hormones from reaching the cancer cells which they require to grow.

Biological cancer therapy, also known as immunotherapy, is a type of treatment that uses the body’s immune system to kill cancer cells. Biological therapy for cancer is used in the treatment of many types of cancer to prevent or slow tumour growth and to prevent the spread of cancer. Biological cancer therapy can be used on its own or combined with chemotherapy.

Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, is a cancer treatment that uses focused radiation to kill cancer cells or damage them so they cannot grow or spread.

Surgery. There are two types of surgical procedures for breast cancer treatment. Historically, breast cancers were treated surgically by mastectomy, but nowadays, most breast cancers can be treated with a smaller procedure called a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy.

Lumpectomy
A procedure during which the cancerous tumour (lump), as well as some of the surrounding healthy breast tissue, is removed. Lumpectomies are followed by radiation, which kills cancer cells, or stops them from growing, to limit damage to healthy cells.

Mastectomy
If the breast cancer has affected a large area of the breast, a mastectomy is performed. A mastectomy requires removal of the entire breast, and lymph nodes, to prevent further tumour growth.

“Deciding which surgical procedure is best, is a personal decision which needs to be made with your surgeon. The size, location, and type of tumour, as well as the patient’s lifestyle and anxieties, need to be considered when choosing a treatment.

For many women, their breasts are a significant part of their identity and femininity. The loss can be very traumatic and lead to depression and anxiety,” Dr Faber concluded.

Patients who have undergone mastectomies, have the option to have the shape of the removed breast(s) rebuilt. Reconstruction can be done immediately, at the time of the mastectomy, or after healing from the mastectomy and completion of therapy.

Women who have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer have an increased risk of re-diagnosis or development of cancer in the other breast. It is therefore important to go for regular follow-ups, which include, physical examinations and imaging tests, to enable quick diagnosis and prompt treatment.

Life Robinson Private Hospital has a team of specialists to support you during your cancer journey to recovery, while ensuring you receive the best possible care when you need it most. For more information contact Life Robinson Private Hospital on 011 278 8700 or e-mail enquiries.robinson@lifehealthcare.co.za.

*References:

1. Internet, World Health Organization. Key facts. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer*
2. Internet, Cancer Association of South Africa. CANSA Fact Sheet on Breast Cancer in Women https://cansa.org.za/files/2021/07/Fact-Sheet-on-Breast-Cancer-in-Women-NCR-2017-web-July-2021.pdf
3. Internet, World Health Organization. Breast cancer. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer