Pakistan1992
Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
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Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign 2013 - A Public Service Message
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Pakistan1992
Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
International Breast Cancer Awareness Day at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Lack of awareness on risk factors of cancer decried
Olivia Olarte-Ulherr / 25 October 2013
Cancer is a global concern with an increasing incidence worldwide. However, many are still ignorant of the risk factors and the signs and symptoms, presenting their condition at late stages when the chances of survival are very low.
At the first International Oncology Conference in the Capital on Thursday, Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, stressed the importance of participating in the global community’s fight against cancer.
“We, in the UAE, share with the world-wide health care community the challenges of the fight against cancer. We observe the increased incidence of, and death rates from, cancer. We lament the lack of awareness among the public about the magnitude of the problem.”
Noting the tendency of people to “ignore symptoms until cancer has progressed to a late stage,” Shaikh Nahyan said an effective strategy is required to prevent the onset of the disease.
“We must identify and understand the wide range of risk factors, from environmental toxins to lifestyle decisions involving nutrition, smoking, exercise and other factors. We must form partnerships among hospitals, health workers, colleges of medicine, and community organisations to develop effective public education campaigns. It is a critical challenge for you who work in the field, then, to determine strategies to motivate people to learn about cancer and to pursue appropriate preventive behaviours,” he told delegates at the conference.
On cancer research he said: “We must address the apparent delay in translating clinical discoveries into available cures, especially in view of the public expectations regarding medical delivery and practice. Public expectations for advanced diagnostic and treatment services have ballooned, as have expectations for medical education and training,” he pointed out.
He added that the absence of original scientific research relevant to “our region hampers our effort to craft relevant initiatives. And it is critical that we dramatically increase co-operation and action among all concerned to improve cancer education and treatment, and to provide greater research and training opportunities.”
Over 500 healthcare professionals and cancer specialists convened here for the two-day conference titled ‘Improving cancer care with early detection and prevention’. Organised by Burjeel Medical City, the forum covered the UAE’s most frequent types of cancers — breast, lung, cervical and colorectal.
During the morning session, Dr Jalaa Taher, manager of non-communicable diseases at the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD), presented the epidemiology of breast cancer — the top cancer in men and women worldwide, the second cancer killer and the leading cause of death among women.
“Breast cancer overall is increasing worldwide with faster rates in developing countries,” Dr Taher said noting that 1.38 million new breast cancer cases were diagnosed in 2008, and this accounts for 23 per cent of all cancer in women. She noted that change in lifestyle, fewer pregnancy and taking of hormone replacement therapy are some of the risk factors.
[email protected]
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-arti...3/October/health_October28.xml§ion=health
Olivia Olarte-Ulherr / 25 October 2013
Cancer is a global concern with an increasing incidence worldwide. However, many are still ignorant of the risk factors and the signs and symptoms, presenting their condition at late stages when the chances of survival are very low.
At the first International Oncology Conference in the Capital on Thursday, Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, stressed the importance of participating in the global community’s fight against cancer.
Noting the tendency of people to “ignore symptoms until cancer has progressed to a late stage,” Shaikh Nahyan said an effective strategy is required to prevent the onset of the disease.
“We must identify and understand the wide range of risk factors, from environmental toxins to lifestyle decisions involving nutrition, smoking, exercise and other factors. We must form partnerships among hospitals, health workers, colleges of medicine, and community organisations to develop effective public education campaigns. It is a critical challenge for you who work in the field, then, to determine strategies to motivate people to learn about cancer and to pursue appropriate preventive behaviours,” he told delegates at the conference.
On cancer research he said: “We must address the apparent delay in translating clinical discoveries into available cures, especially in view of the public expectations regarding medical delivery and practice. Public expectations for advanced diagnostic and treatment services have ballooned, as have expectations for medical education and training,” he pointed out.
He added that the absence of original scientific research relevant to “our region hampers our effort to craft relevant initiatives. And it is critical that we dramatically increase co-operation and action among all concerned to improve cancer education and treatment, and to provide greater research and training opportunities.”
Over 500 healthcare professionals and cancer specialists convened here for the two-day conference titled ‘Improving cancer care with early detection and prevention’. Organised by Burjeel Medical City, the forum covered the UAE’s most frequent types of cancers — breast, lung, cervical and colorectal.
During the morning session, Dr Jalaa Taher, manager of non-communicable diseases at the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD), presented the epidemiology of breast cancer — the top cancer in men and women worldwide, the second cancer killer and the leading cause of death among women.
“Breast cancer overall is increasing worldwide with faster rates in developing countries,” Dr Taher said noting that 1.38 million new breast cancer cases were diagnosed in 2008, and this accounts for 23 per cent of all cancer in women. She noted that change in lifestyle, fewer pregnancy and taking of hormone replacement therapy are some of the risk factors.
[email protected]
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-arti...3/October/health_October28.xml§ion=health
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Breast cancer is cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast. There are two main types of breast cancer:
Breast cancer can be invasive or noninvasive. Invasive means it has spread from the milk duct or lobule to other tissues in the breast. Noninvasive means it has not yet invaded other breast tissue. Noninvasive breast cancer is called "in situ."
Some women have HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2 refers to a gene that helps cells grow, divide, and repair themselves. When cells (including cancer cells) have too many copies of this gene, they grow faster. In the past, women with HER2-positive breast cancer have a more aggressive disease. They have a higher risk that the disease will return (recur) than in women who do not have this type. This may be changing with specifically targeted treatments against HER2.
http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/breast-cancer/overview.html
- Ductal carcinoma starts in the tubes (ducts) that move milk from the breast to the nipple. Most breast cancers are of this type.
- Lobular carcinoma starts in the parts of the breast, called lobules, which produce milk.
Breast cancer can be invasive or noninvasive. Invasive means it has spread from the milk duct or lobule to other tissues in the breast. Noninvasive means it has not yet invaded other breast tissue. Noninvasive breast cancer is called "in situ."
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or intraductal carcinoma, is breast cancer in the lining of the milk ducts that has not yet invaded nearby tissues. It may progress to invasive cancer if untreated.
- Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is a marker for an increased risk of invasive cancer in the same or both breasts.
Some women have HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2 refers to a gene that helps cells grow, divide, and repair themselves. When cells (including cancer cells) have too many copies of this gene, they grow faster. In the past, women with HER2-positive breast cancer have a more aggressive disease. They have a higher risk that the disease will return (recur) than in women who do not have this type. This may be changing with specifically targeted treatments against HER2.
http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/breast-cancer/overview.html
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
[h=2]Understanding Breast Cancer -- the Basics[/h][h=3]What Is Breast Cancer?[/h]Before discussing breast cancer, it's important to be familiar with the anatomy of the breast. The normal breast consists of milk-producing glands that are connected to the surface of the skin at the nipple by narrow ducts. The glands and ducts are supported by connective tissue made up of fat and fibrous material. Blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic channels to the lymph nodes make up most of the rest of the breast tissue. This breast anatomy sits under the skin and on top of the chest muscles.
As in all forms of cancer, the abnormal tissue that makes up breast cancer is the patient's own cells that have multiplied uncontrollably. Those cells may also travel to locations in the body where they are not normally needed, which means the cancer is metastatic.
[h=4]Understanding Breast Cancer[/h]
Find out more about breast cancer:
Basics
Symptoms
Diagnosis and Treatment
Prevention
Breast cancer develops in the breast tissue, primarily in the milk ducts (ductal carcinoma) or glands (lobular carcinoma). The cancer is still called and treated as breast cancer even if it is first discovered after traveling to other areas of the body. In those cases, the cancer is referred to as metastatic or advanced breast cancer.
Breast cancer usually begins with the formation of a small, confined tumor (lump), or as calcium deposits (microcalcifications) and then spreads through channels within the breast to the lymph nodes or through the blood stream to other organs. The tumor may grow and invade tissue around the breast, such as the skin or chest wall. Different types of breast cancer grow and spread at different rates -- some take years to spread beyond the breast while others grow and spread quickly.
Some lumps are benign (not cancerous), however these can be premalignant. The only safe way to distinguish between a benign lump and cancer is to have the tissue examined by a doctor through a biopsy.
Men can get breast cancer, too, but they account for one percent of all breast cancer cases. Among women, breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths after lung cancer.If eight women were to live to be at least 85, one of them would be expected to develop the disease at some point during her life. Two-thirds of women with breast cancer are over 50, and most of the rest are between 39 and 49. Fortunately, breast cancer is very treatable if detected early. Localized tumors can usually be treated successfully before the cancer spreads; and in nine in 10 cases, the woman will live at least another five years. However, late recurrences of breast cancer are common.
Once the cancer begins to spread, treatment becomes difficult, although treatment can often control the disease for years. Improved screening procedures and treatment options mean that at least seven out of 10 women with breast cancer will survive more than five years after initial diagnosis and half will survive more than 10 years.
A woman whose mother, sister, or daughter has had breast cancer is two to three times more likely to develop the disease, particularly if more than one first-degree relative has been affected. This is especially true if the cancer developed in the woman while she was premenopausal, or if the cancer developed in both breasts. Researchers have now identified two genes responsible for some instances of familial breast cancer -- BRCA1 and BRCA2. About one woman in 200 carries one of these genes. Having a BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene predisposes a woman to breast cancer and -- while it does not ensure that she will get breast cancer -- her lifetime risk is 56%-85%. These genes also predispose to ovarian cancer and are associated with pancreas cancer, melanoma, and male breast cancer (BRCA2).
Because of these risks prevention strategies and screening guidelines for those with the BRCA genes are more aggressive. There are other genes that have been identified as increasing the risk of breast cancer, including the PTEN gene, the ATM gene, the TP53 gene, and the CHEK2 gene. However, these genes carry a lower risk for breast cancer development than the BRCA genes.
Generally, women over 50 are more likely to get breast cancer than younger women, and African-American women are more likely than Caucasians to get breast cancer before menopause.
A link between breast cancer and hormones is gradually becoming clearer. Researchers think that the greater a woman's exposure to the hormone estrogen, the more susceptible she is to breast cancer. Estrogen tells cells to divide; the more the cells divide, the more likely they are to be abnormal in some way, potentially becoming cancerous.
A woman's exposure to estrogen and progesterone rises and falls during her lifetime. This is influenced by the age she starts menstruating (menarche) and stops menstruating (menopause), the average length of her menstrual cycle, and her age at first childbirth. A woman's risk for breast cancer is increased if she starts menstruating before age 12 (less than 2 times the risk), has her first child after 30, stops menstruating after 55, or does not breast feed. Current information about the effect of birth control pills and breast cancer risk is mixed. Some studies have found that the hormones in birth control pills probably do not increase breast cancer risk or protect against breast cancer. However other studies suggest that the risk of breast cancer is increased in women who have taken birth control pills recently, regardless of how long she has taken them.
[h=3]What Causes Breast Cancer? continued...[/h]Some studies suggest that the use of hormone replacement therapy with estrogen and progesterone containing compounds increases the risk of developing breast cancers. They also show, after a 7 year follow up, that the use of estrogens alone does not increase or decrease the risk of breast cancer development.
High doses of radiation, such as with nuclear exposure, or therapeutic radiation, such as used for Hodgkin lymphoma. are a factor for breast cancer development after15-20 years. Mammography poses almost no risk of breast cancer development.
The link between diet and breast cancer has been debated. Obesity is a noteworthy risk factor, predominately in postmenopausal women, because obesity alters a woman's estrogen metabolism. Drinking alcohol regularly -- particularly more than one drink a day -- also increases the risk of breast cancer. Many studies have shown that women whose diets are high in fat, either from red meat or high-fat dairy products, are more likely to get the disease. Researchers suspect that if a woman lowers her daily calories from fat -- to less than 20-30 percent -- her diet may help protect her from developing breast cancer.
http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/guide/understanding-breast-cancer-basics?print=true
As in all forms of cancer, the abnormal tissue that makes up breast cancer is the patient's own cells that have multiplied uncontrollably. Those cells may also travel to locations in the body where they are not normally needed, which means the cancer is metastatic.
[h=4]Understanding Breast Cancer[/h]
Find out more about breast cancer:
Basics
Symptoms
Diagnosis and Treatment
Prevention
Breast cancer develops in the breast tissue, primarily in the milk ducts (ductal carcinoma) or glands (lobular carcinoma). The cancer is still called and treated as breast cancer even if it is first discovered after traveling to other areas of the body. In those cases, the cancer is referred to as metastatic or advanced breast cancer.
Breast cancer usually begins with the formation of a small, confined tumor (lump), or as calcium deposits (microcalcifications) and then spreads through channels within the breast to the lymph nodes or through the blood stream to other organs. The tumor may grow and invade tissue around the breast, such as the skin or chest wall. Different types of breast cancer grow and spread at different rates -- some take years to spread beyond the breast while others grow and spread quickly.
Some lumps are benign (not cancerous), however these can be premalignant. The only safe way to distinguish between a benign lump and cancer is to have the tissue examined by a doctor through a biopsy.
Once the cancer begins to spread, treatment becomes difficult, although treatment can often control the disease for years. Improved screening procedures and treatment options mean that at least seven out of 10 women with breast cancer will survive more than five years after initial diagnosis and half will survive more than 10 years.
[h=3]What Causes Breast Cancer?[/h]Although the precise causes of breast cancer are unclear, we know what the main risk factors are. Still, most women considered at high risk for breast cancer do not get it. On the other hand, 75% of women who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors. Among the most significant factors are advancing age and family history. Risk increases slightly for a woman who has certain benign breast lumps and increases significantly for a woman who has previously had breast cancer or endometrial, ovarian, or colon cancer.A woman whose mother, sister, or daughter has had breast cancer is two to three times more likely to develop the disease, particularly if more than one first-degree relative has been affected. This is especially true if the cancer developed in the woman while she was premenopausal, or if the cancer developed in both breasts. Researchers have now identified two genes responsible for some instances of familial breast cancer -- BRCA1 and BRCA2. About one woman in 200 carries one of these genes. Having a BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene predisposes a woman to breast cancer and -- while it does not ensure that she will get breast cancer -- her lifetime risk is 56%-85%. These genes also predispose to ovarian cancer and are associated with pancreas cancer, melanoma, and male breast cancer (BRCA2).
Because of these risks prevention strategies and screening guidelines for those with the BRCA genes are more aggressive. There are other genes that have been identified as increasing the risk of breast cancer, including the PTEN gene, the ATM gene, the TP53 gene, and the CHEK2 gene. However, these genes carry a lower risk for breast cancer development than the BRCA genes.
Generally, women over 50 are more likely to get breast cancer than younger women, and African-American women are more likely than Caucasians to get breast cancer before menopause.
A link between breast cancer and hormones is gradually becoming clearer. Researchers think that the greater a woman's exposure to the hormone estrogen, the more susceptible she is to breast cancer. Estrogen tells cells to divide; the more the cells divide, the more likely they are to be abnormal in some way, potentially becoming cancerous.
A woman's exposure to estrogen and progesterone rises and falls during her lifetime. This is influenced by the age she starts menstruating (menarche) and stops menstruating (menopause), the average length of her menstrual cycle, and her age at first childbirth. A woman's risk for breast cancer is increased if she starts menstruating before age 12 (less than 2 times the risk), has her first child after 30, stops menstruating after 55, or does not breast feed. Current information about the effect of birth control pills and breast cancer risk is mixed. Some studies have found that the hormones in birth control pills probably do not increase breast cancer risk or protect against breast cancer. However other studies suggest that the risk of breast cancer is increased in women who have taken birth control pills recently, regardless of how long she has taken them.
[h=3]What Causes Breast Cancer? continued...[/h]Some studies suggest that the use of hormone replacement therapy with estrogen and progesterone containing compounds increases the risk of developing breast cancers. They also show, after a 7 year follow up, that the use of estrogens alone does not increase or decrease the risk of breast cancer development.
High doses of radiation, such as with nuclear exposure, or therapeutic radiation, such as used for Hodgkin lymphoma. are a factor for breast cancer development after15-20 years. Mammography poses almost no risk of breast cancer development.
The link between diet and breast cancer has been debated. Obesity is a noteworthy risk factor, predominately in postmenopausal women, because obesity alters a woman's estrogen metabolism. Drinking alcohol regularly -- particularly more than one drink a day -- also increases the risk of breast cancer. Many studies have shown that women whose diets are high in fat, either from red meat or high-fat dairy products, are more likely to get the disease. Researchers suspect that if a woman lowers her daily calories from fat -- to less than 20-30 percent -- her diet may help protect her from developing breast cancer.
http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/guide/understanding-breast-cancer-basics?print=true
Night_Hawk
Siasat.pk - Blogger
| Breast Cancer Dr. Neelam Siddiqui FRCP (G) Consultant Medical Oncologist (Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre) Breast Cancer poses a serious health risk for women throughout the world. More than one million women world wide are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. It is estimated that 1 in 9 Pakistani women will develop breast cancer at some stage of their life. In developed countries there are national cancer registries where every newly diagnosed cancer patient is registered. This is very helpful to understand the epidemiology and causative factors of cancer. In Pakistan we do not have such a registry at national level. Several studies and reports suggest that among Asian population, Pakistani women have the highest risk of breast cancer (after non-Arab Israeli women). Breast cancer is a disease which results from the interaction of different environmental and inherited risk factors. With the development of new technology by which DNA of cancer cells can be studied closely, our understanding of the biology and genetics of breast cancer has greatly improved. With this knowledge therapies for breast cancer are coming onto the market, which have given a new lease of life to these patients. Since the early 1990s death rates from breast cancer have decreased by approximately 25% in the USA and Europe. This has been possible mostly due to screening mammography and continuously improving treatment strategies utilizing chemotherapy, hormone therapy and more recently targeted therapy. While the prognosis of breast cancer has improved over the years, the exact cause of breast cancer still remains unknown. However certain risk factors have been identified. The following factors are known to increase the chances of development of breast cancer.Female gender and increasing age: As a woman grows older her risk of developing breast cancer increases. Hormonal factors: Early age of onset of menstruation and late menopause are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Women who do not have children or have their first child after the age of 30 are also at an increased risk. Prolonged hormone therapy is an additional risk factor.Benign breast disease: Women who have had non-cancerous lumps in the breasts are also at higher risk of getting breast cancer compared to those women who have never had any breast problems.Diet and Obesity: New studies indicate that obesity increases the chances of breast cancer and breast cancer related death. Women who gain weight in adult life before menopause are at increased risk of developing breast cancer. It has been observed that high fat intake can increase the risk of breast cancer while high vegetable consumption may give protection against breast cancer development.Family history: This plays an important role in breast cancer. Familial susceptibility to breast cancer accounts for approximately 25 % of all breast cancer cases. Among the breast cancer genes that have been identified, two are worth mentioning. These genes are called breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer 2 (BRCA 2) genes. Alterations in these genes are associated with a significantly increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. A woman who has two or more first degree relatives with breast or ovarian cancer (especially before the age of 50), may be carrying the BRCA1 or 2 gene. These women could benefit from screening, risk assessment, genetic counseling, gene testing and appropriate medical interventions.The outcome and prognosis of breast cancer is directly linked to the stage at which a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. It is difficult to prevent breast cancer, but one can try to detect it early. In this context, all women of reproductive age should conduct monthly breast self-examination while those over 40 should have an annual clinical breast examination and an annual mammogram. Development of a breast lump or skin and nipple changes are some common signs of breast cancer and warrant an urgent visit to the doctor.During October all over the world breast cancer awareness campaigns are being conducted. In Pakistan we need to develop breast cancer prevention and screening strategies. There is a dire need for creation of more effective treatment which is easily available to all classes of society. Aspiration towards excellence should be the goal of every physician. We in the medical community need to step forward to fight against breast cancer by establishing a national breast cancer control programme to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. We should aim to detect breast cancer as early as possible and to offer the best treatment and support for our breast cancer patients. Breast cancer signs and symptoms Dr. Amina Khan FACS Consultant Surgical Oncologist (Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre) Breast cancer is the most common malignancy encountered by the woman of today. It is a disease process which is not restricted to any age; it spares no race color or creed. According to statistical estimates every 1 in 8 to 1 in 15 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Every womans risk is different and depends on a combination of factors, some of which are alterable. Age, race, gender, geographic location, family history, age of menarche and age of menopause are factors that are non modifiable. However women should try and avoid risk factors that are within their control; avoid late first birth of their child, have more than one baby, breast feed all children, avoid hormone replacement therapy, avoid smoking and alcohol use. In contradiction to common misconceptions breast cancer generally carries a good prognosis and is treatable in most cases. The key to successful treatment is early detection and prompt medical attention. The international cancer community has devised guidelines to help in this regard women are divided into 2 groups based on age - <40 and above 40 years. * All women should learn proper breast self examination and perform it regularly once every month. * All women need a baseline mammogram at the age of 40 years * Follow up screening mammograms should be done annually after the baseline study * Any new finding on breast self examination or mammography needs to be reported to a physician and investigated further Important findings on self examination that need further evaluation include * A new area of thickening in the breast or a new breast lump * A lump in the axilla / arm pit area * Nipple distortion * Bloody nipple discharge * Skin retraction or dimpling * Fixation of skin to an underlying lump * Skin redness * Skin thickening especially around the nipple area * Feeling of warmth over an area of skin which is already thickened and red * Skin ulcer or blister that does not heal * Skin rash over the breast especially around the nipple with lesions that do not heal * Pain in the breast that travels to the arm pit and along the arm and neck. Treatment of Breast Cancer Dr. Narjis Muzaffar Diplomate American Board of Medical Oncology Consultant Medical Oncologist, (Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre) There are different types of treatments available for patients with breast cancer. In recent years, there has been on explosion of new life saving treatments for this cancer. Treatment includes surgery and radiation therapy which are localized treatments and chemotherapy and hormonal therapy which are systemic treatments. Both chemotherapy and hormonal therapy go to many parts of the body, the purpose of which is to kill any cancer cell that may have spread from the breast. The most recent addition to breast cancer treatment is called targeted therapy. Clinical trials are also offered to patients which test new drugs. Patients are encouraged to take part in these clinical trials which will help not only in their treatment but also other women with breast cancer and will help future generations. No one treatment plan fits every woman diagnosed with breast cancer. The choice of treatment is determined by many factors including age, menopausal status, stage of the tumour, hormone receptor status and Her 2 Neu receptor status of the tumor. Surgery is generally offered at the onset. The extent of surgery will be determined by many factors such as the size of the tumor and its location in the breast. The patients surgeon will best guide her in making the right decision for the type of surgery. Surgery can be total removal of the breast, called mastectomy, or removal of the lump only, called lumpectomy. Breast reconstruction is the rebuilding of the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy. This can be done at the time of the initial surgery or later. Many women decide not to have reconstruction and opt for a prosthesis. If the tumor is large or if the woman wants to conserve her breast chemotherapy or hormonal therapy can be offered before surgery which can shrink the tumor and help the surgeon in getting clear margins after a mastectomy or help in breast conservation. The type of chemotherapy used can vary from patient to patient. There are many highly effective treatment plans that can vary in duration, number of drugs used and dosage. Results of clinical trials done in thousands of women from all over the world help the medical oncologist on deciding for a specific treatment for each individual. The side effects of chemotherapy can be managed through supportive care and lifestyle changes. Older women in otherwise good health can also benefit from chemotherapy in the same ways as younger women. Hormonal therapy blocks the ability of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone to stimulate the growth of cancer cells. These drugs will only work if the womans cancer cells show presence of these receptors. Radiation therapy is limited to one area and is generally well tolerated. Side effects of radiation are also limited to the area being treated. It is a highly effective way of killing cancer cells in the breast or chest wall that may persist after surgery. Targeted therapies for example the drug Herceptin, target specific characters of cancer cells such as proteins. These proteins allow cancer cells to grow in an abnormal way. These drugs are generally well tolerated. http://www.shaukatkhanum.org.pk/news-a-events/events/228.html 
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