Prevention
Modern medicine is increasingly transitioning towards preventive care. This shift towards prevention has also been observed in breast cancer care in recent years, particularly with the discovery of the BRCA gene. Subsequently, multiple genes and risk factors have been identified. Depending on these factors, a personalized screening strategy can be chosen. Therefore, it is crucial to understand these genetic and risk factors.
Diagnosis
I was diagnosed with cancer ... This website serves as a portal designed to assist you and your loved ones in accessing personal information and finding solutions to your concerns.
The primary goal of this website is to offer guidance and support to patients as they navigate their journey toward recovery and improved quality of life. The "Diagnosis" section of our website is divided into two main categories. Firstly, under "Anatomy and Physiology," we provide fundamental knowledge about the breast. Secondly, in the "Tumors and Disorders" section, we delve deeper into various breast-related conditions.
Moreover, we aim to provide information to women who may be concerned about potential breast issues but are hesitant to seek immediate medical advice. Knowledge and information can often offer immediate reassurance if a woman is able to identify the issue herself and determine that no specific treatment is necessary. Conversely, we also strive to educate women who have received a diagnosis of a serious breast condition, such as breast cancer, and wish to approach their doctor well-informed and prepared.
Treatment
The treatment for breast cancer should immediately include a discussion about reconstruction. Our foundation has no greater goal than to raise awareness of this among patients and oncological surgeons. By making an informed decision beforehand, we avoid closing off options for later reconstruction while still considering the oncological aspect. Of course, survival is paramount, and the decision of the oncologic surgeon will always take precedence.
The "Reconstruction or not?" page contains all the information you can expect during an initial consultation before undergoing tumor removal. This page is comprehensive, and your plastic surgeon will only provide information relevant to your situation.
"Removing the tumor" details the surgical procedure itself. This is the most crucial operation because effective tumor removal remains paramount. We guide you through the various methods of removal, a decision often made by a multidisciplinary team comprising oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, radiotherapists, breast nurses, gynecologists, oncological surgeons, and plastic surgeons.
The "Breast Reconstruction" section includes information and illustrations of the different reconstruction options along with corresponding steps.
Revalidation
Those treated for cancer often need a long period to recover.
Cancer is a radical illness with a heavy treatment. Often, people have to deal with psychosocial and/or physical problems afterwards, such as stress, anxiety, extreme fatigue, painful joints, reduced fitness, lymphedema... This can have a major impact on general well-being.
There are rehabilitation programmes offered by most hospitals. We cover some of the major topics here.
Quality of life
Quality of life is a key factor in coping with breast cancer. Therefore, it is important to find coping mechanisms that work, which will be different from patient to patient. For some, it may be finding enjoyment in activities they engaged in prior to diagnosis, taking time for appreciating life and expressing gratitude, volunteering, physical exercise... Of prime importance, studies have shown that accepting the disease as a part of one’s life is a key to effective coping, as well as focusing on mental strength to allow the patient to move on with life. In this section we are addressing some topics that patients experience during and after treatment and we are providing information to address them.
Benign Tumors
Benign tumors are local swellings in the breast. When such swellings are clinically and radiologically indistinguishable from a malignant tumor, they need to be surgically removed. Although a great variety of benign tumors exist, listed below are the most frequently encountered types:
Fibrocystic disease
These swellings develop as a result of fluid accumulation in small or large cysts (sacs). This condition occurs in about one third of women before the menopause. The typical complaint is of a swelling, sometimes painful, in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Sometimes the accumulations form microcysts, on other occasions you can clearly palpate the fluid filled cysts.
When the cysts are small, they decrease in volume after the return of menstruation. Large cysts (up to several centimeters in diameter) may persist. When clinically indicated, they may easily be drained under ultrasound guidance. If the wall of the cyst does not contain highly proliferating cells, this condition is not associated with any increased risk of breast cancer.
Duct ectasia of the breast
Here, milk secretion stops and causes inflammatory cells surrounding the ducts. There is an accumulation of concentrated material inside the ducts. This concentrated material can sometimes be seen beneath the nipple. After a while connective tissue forms, causing the ducts to contract, resulting in inflammation and pain.
Fibroadenoma
This is a common tumor. Fibroadenomas are firm, clearly defined swellings that are very mobile on manual examination. Surgery to remove them is relatively straight forwards. Fibroadenomas contain epithelial cells and connective tissue. They rarely grow fast.
Papilloma
These are benign tumors that grow in the breast gland ducts. They form around a central stalk with blood vessels. Epithelial cells proliferate around them. The solitary papillomas usually arise in one of the major ducts below the nipple complex. They may appear as multiple small papillomas in the depths of the breast tissue in smaller channels. Multiple papillomas have a slightly increased risk of malignant change.
Radial scar
Sometimes this can cause confusion. During mammographic screening, a radiologist may see a star-shaped lesion. It may resemble a malignant tumor with puckering. In reality, the star shaped strands are due to the connective tissue that surrounds the radial scar.
Benign microcalcification
These are small calcifications in the breast usually found incidentally on routine mammography. A radiologist is often able to determine whether or not these are benign. Microcalcifications occur as a result of stationary milk in the ducts that has calcified. If there is any doubt, any areas of calcification should be biopsied.
Fat necrosis
These are usually small, but can be large areas, where fat has died as a result of interruption of the local blood flow. Fat necrosis usually occurs after local trauma to the breast, for example, after a traffic accident.