Diagnosing Breast Cancer

Breast cancer can strike anyone, young or old, male or female, from all ethnic backgrounds and walks of life. Former First Lady Betty Ford, Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts, singer Olivia Newton-John and actor Richard Roundtree are all breast cancer survivors. Their breast cancer experiences began when the disease was diagnosed because a symptom or screening test suggested breast cancer.

The most common sign of breast cancer is a lump or mass. Other common symptoms include breast swelling, skin irritation, the nipple turning inward, nipple discharge (not breast milk), and breast or nipple pain. These signs may be noticed during a breast self-exam, routine clinical breast exam or screening mammogram. If a suspicious-looking area is detected, additional testing will be used to either confirm a breast cancer diagnosis or identify a benign condition.

Three tests used to diagnose breast conditions are diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A diagnostic mammogram, which generates X-ray pictures, focuses on a specific area of the breast and takes more detailed pictures of the areas that look abnormal. An ultrasound, which uses sound waves, can help doctors determine if an abnormality is a benign fluid-filled cyst or a potentially cancerous solid mass. MRI, which uses radio waves and strong magnets, is sometimes used to look for tumors that did not appear on a mammogram.

Imaging tests can help locate a breast mass, but they cannot confirm a breast cancer diagnosis. This is done during a biopsy to remove cells or tissue samples for laboratory testing. There are three main types of biopsies:

Fine needle aspiration biopsy involves inserting a very thin needle into the suspicious area to withdraw cells. Ultrasound may be used to guide the needle if the lump cannot be easily located.
Core needle biopsy uses a slightly larger needle to remove three to five small cylinders of tissue from the breast abnormality. Larger core biopsies can be performed using suction to remove tissue samples.
Surgery may be recommended to remove all or part of a lump for examination. During an incisional biopsy, a sample is removed from the abnormal area. An excisional biopsy involves removing the entire mass as well as a surrounding margin of normal tissue.

If cancer cells are found after a biopsy, test results can determine the cancer type and whether it is invasive (likely to spread) or in situ (localized). Invasive cancers are assigned a grade based on how closely the sample resembles normal tissue and the likelihood the cancer will grow and spread. An estrogen and progesterone receptor test can determine if hormone therapy may help stop the cancer from growing. A human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 test can measure a growth factor protein that may cause cancer cells to spread more aggressively.

For more information about breast cancer, talk with your doctor or visit the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org.

For a physician referral, call Palm Beach Health Network at (561) 625-5070.

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Eat This, Not That: Foods to Fight Breast Cancer

A combination of factors can raise a woman's risk for breast cancer. While there are risks that cannot be controlled, such as aging or genetics, a healthy diet can boost the immune system and help lower a woman’s chances of having breast cancer.

Research suggests that dietary factors are partly responsible for about 30-40% of all cancers. For example, high-fat diets can lead to obesity, which is a breast cancer risk factor. Extra fat cells in the body make estrogen that causes extra breast cell growth, increasing the probability of breast cancer among women with obesity.

Subscribing to a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, chicken and fish is also important for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Here are some tips to help you get the nutrition you need in your daily diet and fight breast cancer with every bite.

Eat This:

Fruits and vegetables. Dietitians recommend eating more than five cups of a variety of fruits and vegetables a day.

Whole fruits and vegetable smoothies. Eat your fruits and juice your vegetables. Whole fruit contains fiber that helps you feel fuller than fruit juice. Homemade vegetable smoothies are an easy way to incorporate more than one vegetable at a time.

Low-fat foods. Bake or broil your dishes or use fat-free cooking techniques for a healthier alternative. Breading and frying increase the calories and fat in your food.

Healthy plate. Divide your dinner plate into sections. Fill two-thirds of your plate with vegetables, fruits, whole grains or beans then allot one-third or less of your plate for meat and dairy products.

Cut-up vegetables and fruits for snacks. Substitute chips with homemade cut-up vegetables and fruits. Beat your afternoon energy slump with organic baby carrots, bell pepper strips, orange sections, fat-free yogurt or a handful of almonds.

Eggs. Get creative with your scrambled eggs or omelets and add broccoli, tomatoes or zucchini in the mix.

Tomatoes. Load up on antioxidant lycopene with a serving of raw tomatoes in salad, sandwiches, salsa or juice or cooked in sauces, which boosts its nutritional value.

Not That:

Empty calories. Avoid snacking on store-brought cookies, crackers, snack foods, fried foods, pastries and other baked goods rich in trans-fat.
Processed meats and cold cuts. Choose lean cuts of meats, fish and poultry instead.
Salt-cured, pickled and smoked foods. These foods contain high amounts of salt and nitrates which may cause high blood pressure.
Regular salad dressing. Choose non-fat or low-fat dressing for your salads. Put a small amount of dressing on the side and dip your fork in it before spreading your salad.
Margarine. Cook with chicken broth or vegetable stock instead to enhance the flavor of your dish.

Eating nutritious foods can help fight off breast cancer and other serious lifelong conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. If your current diet is not working for you, consult with your physician or dietitian for healthy options that fit your unique needs. Please don't delay care. We are here for you.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Breastcancer.org
Medical News Today
Healthline