Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Stage 4 Breast Cancer and the Methods for Early Detection

By Kara Marie

One of the most feared diseases of this century are malignancies and cancers. There are various types of cancers today but one of the most feared and common types are breast cancer. Men and women alike display a frightening increase in breast cancer rate. Breast cancer stage 4 is scary because there is a very low chance that the cancer therapies will be effective at that point.

Stage 4 breast cancer tells you that the cancer cells have already reached places and organs that are not within the breast region. A cancer discovered at this stage already will not have a good prognosis. Breast cancer must be prevented as early as possible so that the prognosis will be better. When breast cancer is detected early, the therapies will have the best effect.

This means that we should not wait for stage 4 breast cancer before finding ways to detect it.

Breast Self Exam - This is one of the most effective way to detect and prevent breast cancer. Essentially, it is easy, does not cost you a thing and you can do in the comfort of your homes. This screening test could be done while laying around in bed or even while taking a bath. Through breast self examination, many breast cancers can be detected and cured at a time when therapies and targeted treatment is most effective. It is even observable that many patients have discovered that they are suffering from breast cancer only after their partner has palpated a lump in their breast. It is always a good practice to make regular self checks to ensure that you do not have the early symptoms of cancer of the breast and do not wait until you reach stage 4 breast cancer before doing anything.

Breast examination by a health care provider - This could also be done to ensure that you do the self exam correctly or sometimes to confirm some findings. This could be a good way to detect cancer even before it progress and wreak havoc on the body.

A mammogram - It is through a mammogram that small cancerous breast lesions can be seen even before they turn to stage 4 breast cancer. This radiographic exam can detect breast cancer even without the lumps felt or other symptoms as well. Women are the majority of breast cancer sufferers in spite of the fact that it can happen to men too. After menopause, the age range near 50, women have higher risk of breast cancer.

Do these preventive and screening measures now and do not wait for it to reach stage 4 breast cancer before starting.

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