Search Questions & Answers
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Question: Can men get breast cancer?
Answer:Yes, men can develop breast cancer, although it is much rarer compared to women. Men have breast tissue, and factors like genetic mutations or elevated estrogen levels can increase their risk.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerEarly detection and awareness are crucial for men, just as they are for women, to ensure timely and effective treatment.
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Question: Can weight regain occur after bariatric surgery?
Answer:Yes, it is possible to regain weight after surgery, often because patients do not follow the necessary lifestyle changes needed to both lose weight and keep it off. Your AdventHealth bariatric health team will educate you on methods to keep the weight off after your bariatric surgery successfully.
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Question: How common is breast cancer?
Answer:Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide, accounting for a significant number of cancer cases each year.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020 alone, there were approximately 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer, making it the most prevalent cancer globally. In the United States, the American Cancer Society estimates that about 1 in 8 women (12.5%) will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.
Although breast cancer is much less common in men, they are not immune. About 1 in 726 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.
Regular screening and early detection are crucial strategies for managing breast cancer effectively. Mammograms can help detect breast cancer early when it is most treatable, significantly improving survival rates. For example, the five-year relative survival rate for breast cancer detected at an early localized stage is around 99%, emphasizing the importance of early intervention.
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Question: How do I choose the best procedure for me?
Answer:Many factors include your current health, medical history, weight loss goals, whether you've had bariatric surgery before and associated risk factors. Your AdventHealth bariatric surgeon will consider all these factors to help you make the best decision for your needs and goals.
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Question: How is breast cancer diagnosed?
Answer:We take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing breast cancer to identify the disease early and accurately. The process typically includes several key steps:
Continue ReadingCollapse Answer- Physical examination:
- A health care provider performs a clinical breast exam to feel for lumps or other abnormalities in the breast and underarm area.
- Self-examinations can also be helpful for people to notice any changes in their breasts early on.
- Imaging tests:
- Mammogram: A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast and is often the first imaging test used to detect any abnormalities, even before symptoms develop.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasounds are used to further evaluate an area of concern found on a mammogram, particularly to distinguish between solid masses and fluid-filled cysts.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI can provide detailed images of the breast and is particularly useful for high-risk individuals or for further evaluating findings from other imaging tests.
- Biopsy:
- This procedure removes a small sample of breast tissue or fluid from a suspicious area to determine if cancer cells are present.
- Types of biopsies include fine-needle aspiration, core needle biopsy and surgical biopsy.
- Pathology report:
- The biopsy sample is analyzed in a lab to identify the type of breast cancer and its characteristics, such as hormone receptor status (ER, PR) and HER2 status.
- This detailed report helps doctors create an effective treatment plan.
- Additional tests:
- In some cases, further tests like blood work or PET scans may be done to assess if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
- Physical examination:
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Question: How long does the surgery take?
Answer:Bariatric surgery for weight loss takes one to four hours, depending on the procedure and any complications. For example, gastric sleeve and gastric bypass procedures normally take up to two hours, while duodenal switch usually takes four to six hours.
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Question: How much weight can I expect to lose after bariatric surgery?
Answer:Weight loss surgery patients usually lose between 50 and 70% of their body weight, with the biggest weight loss occurring during the first year post-surgery. Remember that the weight you lose will depend on your body composition, health and chosen procedure.
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Question: Is bariatric surgery performed laparoscopically?
Answer:Most weight loss surgery procedures are performed through laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive surgical technique that requires only small incisions in the abdomen. It can allow quicker healing, less scarring, and a lower chance of complications from the incision.
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Question: Is breast cancer genetic?
Answer:Breast cancer can have a genetic component, with inherited mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 significantly raising the risk. People with a strong family history of breast cancer can benefit from genetic testing and consistent screenings like routine mammograms.
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Question: What are some treatments for breast cancer?
Answer:Breast cancer treatment is tailored to each individual based on the type and stage of cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health and preferences.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerCommon treatment options include:
- Surgery:
- Lumpectomy: This procedure removes the cancerous tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue while preserving most of the breast.
- Mastectomy: A mastectomy removes the entire breast, sometimes including nearby tissues such as lymph nodes.
- Radiation therapy:
- This therapy uses high-energy rays to target and destroy cancer cells and is often used after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancerous tissue.
- Chemotherapy:
- Chemotherapy, or chemo, is a systemic treatment with medications that destroy cancer cells or stop them from growing. It is often used before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink tumors or after surgery (adjuvant) to eliminate remaining cancer cells.
- Hormonal therapy:
- This treatment is used for hormone receptor-positive breast cancers to block hormones like estrogen and progesterone that fuel cancer growth.
- Common medications used in hormonal therapy include tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors.
- Targeted therapy:
- This therapy targets specific characteristics of cancer cells, such as HER2-positive breast cancer, using medications like trastuzumab (Herceptin).
- Immunotherapy:
- Immunotherapy enhances the body’s immune system to better attack breast cancer cells and is particularly used for triple-negative breast cancer in certain cases.
- Clinical trials:
- People can participate in research studies that test new treatments or combinations of treatments, providing access to leading-edge therapies.
Each treatment plan is individualized, often combining multiple approaches to maximize effectiveness and reduce the risk of recurrence.
- Surgery: