Breast cancer originates from the tissues of the breast which maybe in the tubes that transport milk toward the nipple (ducts) or glands that make milk (lobule).
Breast cancer incidence has been increasing in India and is now the most common cancer in large cities in India, and the second most common in the rural parts of the country.
TYPES AND SUBTYPES
Breast cancer maybe classified in a several ways by a doctor:
STAGING OF BREAST CANCER
If you are diagnosed with cancer, your doctor will run more tests to determine the extent (stage) of your cancer. Your cancer's stage is an important input in deciding on your treatment. The stage of a cancer describes the size of the cancer and how far it has spread. It may be described as stage 0 to stage 4 and takes into account: the size of the cancer, whether the lymph nodes are affected, if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Sources: European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO); Breast Cancer India; Breast Cancer Care UK; American Cancer Society
SCREENING & DIAGNOSTIC TESTS IN BREAST CANCER
Screening tests (such as clinical breast examinations & ) are routine tests for healthy individuals to identify breast cancer early before any symptoms have developed. Diagnostic tests are for those suspected to have breast cancer, based on symptoms or a screening test result. Monitoring tests are used during and after treatment to monitor how well therapies are working and to check for signs of recurrence.
TREATMENTS
The choice of treatment in breast cancer is on a number of complex clinical principles which will be explained the doctor. These include: Staging (size, position and spread of cancer), Histology (classify the tumour based on cells and tissue), Grade (how do the cells look and how fast do they grow), Hormone receptor status and HER2 gene expression.
Sources: Breastcancer.org; Cleveland Clinic; European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO); Radiologyinfo.org; American Cancer Society; Mayo Clinic
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM (MDT): Unlike most other diseases, cancer treatment requires an integrated approach from several specialists, each with their own expertise. This team of specialists who would work together on your cancer, is referred to as the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). Many global organisations have recognized the importance of a MDT for cancer treatment, as it improves coordinated care to you, as a patient. Your MDT would include specialists from the following:
Medical Oncologist: A clinician specialized in the medical treatment of cancer.
Surgical Oncologist: A surgeon specialized in the surgical treatment of cancer.
Breast Surgeon: A surgeon specialized in the surgical removal of breast tumors. This is considered a super specialty in surgery.
Radiation Oncologist: A clinician specialized in treating cancer with radiation.
TUMOR BOARD: A tumor board is a meeting where a Multi-Disciplinary Team discusses cancer cases and share knowledge. The board’s goal is to determine the best possible cancer treatment and care plan for an individual patient. Having fresh perspectives from other doctors makes it much easier to come up with that plan.
In some hospitals, all cancer cases are discussed at the Tumor Board, while in other hospitals the Tumor Board focuses on cases where a doctor seeks inputs from other specialists on the patient's case. It’s OK to ask your doctor if or why your case was discussed at a tumor board. Or if it wasn’t, why not? In some cases, a patient’s treatment plan is very straightforward using standard treatment guidelines, and the doctor may feel a tumor board review isn’t needed. However, you can request that one be done.
BREAST CLINIC: This is a specialized center with a multidisciplinary team of experts to help you with all breast-related concerns, including breast cancer. These are normally found within a hospital and offer personalized care in a supportive environment for breast related diseases. These centers, in many cases, offer access to most or all of the specialists mentioned above. Some hospitals in India have Breast Clinics, do check if you can visit a hospital that has one.
SUPPORT GROUPS: These are offline or online groups that connect patients suffering from cancer. Do find out about a support group around you. The hospital where you are being treated may have a support group that you could join.
Sources: WebMD; European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO); National Cancer Institute; Mayo Clinic; Cancer.Net
Choosing your oncologist and hospital is a very important decision, we recommend you make the time to research your options. We profile doctors and hospitals based on their range of services to treat breast cancer. Use our search tools to find a suitable medical provider. You may get in touch with us for any assistance during selection or booking process.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you need to find an oncologist to begin your treatment. An oncologist is a doctor who specializes in treating cancer. For breast cancer, you can start by visiting a medical oncologist or a surgical oncologist. Choose someone you are not only confident about but also comfortable with.
TIPS TO FIND AN ONCOLOGIST
TIPS TO FIND A HOSPITAL
Sources: Rogel Cancer Center; Cancer.Net
Source: Mayo Clinic
Source: Mechanisms in Medicine
Source: Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation
Source: Get Palliative Care
Source: Cancer Research UK
Share your details to receive a Call Back from our team.
Share your details to receive a Call Back from our team.
Share your details to receive a Call Back from our team.
It is a unique peer-support network of cancer survivors, for patients. By being a part of this network, you can support patients by speaking to them on a call.
Why should I join the Canswer network?
Einstein said, “The only source of knowledge experiences”. Only you, the survivor, has the real experience to support and guide patients who are still fighting cancer. Most patients say talking to a survivor is an important way of dealing with the disease. We want this network to provide a simple way for survivors to support patients, by just making a call.
What is expected of me during the call?
Simply share your experience with the patient honestly. Most patients may have questions on situations that cancer patients face commonly, you can use your own experience to answer. Good listening and encouragement can do wonders.
How will I know if any patient wants to talk to me?
Patients who find your profile as a match can request an introduction to you through our website. Our team will get in touch with you to seek a time that is convenient for you to take the call. We will schedule the call to introduce you to the patient at the appointed time.
Will my identity and contact details be shared?
Your contact details (such as name, phone, email, etc.) are never shared with anyone. We will facilitate the call using a phone line that doesn’t reveal your number during the call.
How much time do I have to devote, if I join this network?
Calls are only setup after taking a prior appointment with you. There is no expectation of minimum or maximum number of calls you have to take, it’s totally up to you. The normal duration of a call is up to 20-30 mins. If the patient needs more time, we request them to schedule a separate call.
Do I get paid for attending calls?
Yes. We appreciate the time you make from your busy schedule to support patients. As a token of appreciation, we provide Rs. 1000/- at the end of every five calls you support.
Please follow these Do’s and Don’ts while guiding patients or caregivers:
Enter your name and mobile number so that you can get a Call Back from our team.
Note: DCode Care doesn’t charge anything to patients for coordinating enquiries and booking appointments to its patients.