The FDA
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) is going to change things up. Recently, they have made new laws that can help detect women’s breast cancer much earlier. Along with this, the new rules state that women should be notified if they have dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue does not necessarily mean larger breasts but it means that the breast has more fibrous and glandular tissue and less fatty tissue. By passing this law, patients can consult with a doctor for a mammogram sooner. The consultation will help determine if they need other screenings and more tests for breast cancer.
This decision is a step in the right direction, as it makes sure to take double precautions. Breast Cancer can be really hard to detect, and therefore is a concern. However, with this new law nationwide, detections may happen during earlier stages of breast cancer.
It is recommended that women take a mammogram every two years starting in their 40s. The FDA’s decision will hopefully increase dense breast awareness, as well as breast cancer awareness.
What is Breast Cancer?
For starters: Cancer is tumors formed in the body, and although they can be removed surgically (if they are big enough), they don’t go away completely. If the tumor is small enough it can go away but there’s a chance that it might come back or form elsewhere. Not to mention it can come back worse and larger than the tumor was before.
Breast Cancer forms in the cells and tissue of the breast. Adding on, this kind of cancer can occur much more likely in women, than in men. Around 200,000 new cases are found, unfortunately not all percentage of women with breast cancer get diagnosed on time. Additionally, to find out if someone has this kind of cancer, they require lab tests and mammograms.
There are some ways that can be symptoms of this cancer. First, there is a new lump in the chest or underarm. Second, there is an abnormal swelling or inflammation in the breast. Third, irritation to the chest. Fourth, flaky skin or redness around the nipple. Fifth, blood comes out of the breast.
Other Cancers
Here are other forms of cancer (tumors) that are found all throughout the body. For example:
- Bladder Tumors.
- Colorectal Tumors.
- Kidney Tumors.
- Lung Tumors.
- Lymphoma Tumors.
- Melanoma Tumors.
- Oral Tumors.
- Pancreatic Tumors.
- Prostate Tumors.
- Uterine Tumors.
Furthermore, those tumors are the most common types of cancer.
However, there are over 100 kinds of cancers, according to the FDA. Moreover, most are hard to detect before they are in their serious stages, but that’s not the case for all. Depending on the type of cancer, it can be cured or placed into what’s called remission.
One of the main reasons why people get cancer in the first place is because of genetics. Genes that contain carcinoma are passed down from generation to generation. That is why it is important to know one family’s health conditions.
Is there a cure?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for such a disease. It consists of a tumor that can go away, but never completely. It goes away temporally through chemotherapy. Even though there is no cure for cancer, the chances of it going away after treatment is pretty high. Each cancer needs to be treated differently, and depending on the severity and type, some will go away sooner than others.
Although there is no cure for cancer, people know how hard tumor treatments are. Therefore, with the help of Technology, scientists are trying to achieve a cancer vaccine. This science and many more will get a cure for cancer, but in the meanwhile, there are treatments.
Pink Ribbon Month
The FDA says that breast cancer is one of the most common diseases females get. The agency also says it’s one of the hardest to treat. Furthermore, Breast Cancer Awareness month exists to help people become aware of the seriousness of the disease. It is a month where people celebrate and mourn-Those females that beat the disease, are going through it, or unfortunately passed away because of it.
Here are ways to support Women fighting their cancer battle:
- Support them, They need all the love they can get.
- Donate to Research, and help scientists find a cure for women.
- Send Cards. Everyone wants to be reminded that someone cares for them.
It is important that this disease is brought up to people’s awareness. Many humans worldwide pass away because of cancer, mostly because they don’t have medical help. The FDA’s new law will hopefully bring more light to what takes away a lot of lives.
By Adriana Castelan
Sources:
NBC News: FDA sets new guidelines that require mammogram providers to notify about breast density
FDA: Frequently Asked Questions About MQSA
Cancer Council: Pink Ribbon
Featured Image Courtesy of Presidencia de la República Mexicana’s Photostream Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image by Saúde Bahia Courtesy of Saude Bahia Flickr Page- Creative Commons License
