Welcome to October’s first edition! Read below to learn about breast cancer and misconceptions about orthopedics!
Breast Cancer: Symptoms and Causes
By: Shania Ali
Breast cancer can occur in both men and women. However, it is most common in women and is the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer. Due to the improvement of screening, treatment, earlier detection, and an overall better understanding of the disease, the survival rates for breast cancer have increased.
Breast cancer is caused by damage to a cell’s DNA. It is most likely to begin in the inner lining of milk-producing ducts. It can also start in the lobules–glands that produce milk–also known as glandular tissue. It is most likely to spread from there to other parts of the body. In biological terms, breast cancer is caused when breast cells begin to grow abnormally, and the body’s inability to inhibit them result in tumors. These tumors deprive the cells around it by using nutrients and energy. Ultimately, these tumors form lumps.
Some early signs of breast cancer may include:
- pain or swelling on one or both breasts
- A change in appearance on breast
- A rash around one or both nipples,
- Flaking or peeling of the skin on the breast or nipple
- Nipple discharge
- Lumps or nodes felt inside or on breasts
- Harsh pain throughout breasts or nipples.
Although these symptoms do not confirm cancer, women who experience them should visit a doctor for examination.
Symptoms of more invasive breast cancer are:
- Changes in the way the breasts feel,
- Redness of breast,
- Change in breast color,
- Irritated or itchy breasts
- Nipple retraction (turning inward)
- Breast lump or thickening, and
- Skin irritation.
Again, these symptoms do not guarantee the disease, but seeing a doctor for an evaluation is highly recommended.
Although there are no specific risk factors that lead to breast cancer, researchers have concluded that it depends on the patient’s environment and genetic makeup. This is because some women who have breast cancer don’t experience the risk factors that are listed by researchers, but still develop breast cancer, yet some people who do experience these risk factors may never develop breast cancer. Even though some risk factors cannot be prevented such as, having a family history of breast cancer or genetic mutations, there are some that can be avoided, such as drinking alcohol, not being physically active, taking hormones, being overweight or obese, and having reproductive history.
Overall, it is beneficial to detect signs of breast cancer during the early stages so that it can be treated before it is too late.
Misconceptions about Orthopedics
By: Manisha Asrani
In all fields of medicine, there are plenty of misconceptions. There is no exception for orthopedics. Today, a few of the most common orthopedic myths will be stated and debunked!
One of the most common misconceptions is that only elderly people need orthopedic surgery. While joint replacement is common in the senior population, it is not just the older demographic that needs this type surgery. For this population, the surgery is typically because of joint wear and tear. For others, however, surgery may be necessary due to an injury, damage to the surrounding cartilage and tissue, or repetitive movement as caused by a specific sport. Yet others may have degeneration in these parts due to problems such as arthritis, and these types of issues can be seen in younger populations as well.
Another very common myth is that if one can move their bone or join comfortably, they are okay. It should be noted, however, that one can suffer a fracture or other bone injury and still be able to move the affected area with no problems. That’s why a visit to the orthopedic doctor is necessary after an injury–you never know!
Lastly, another common misconception is that orthopedic surgery is very invasive and always requires a long hospital stay. Years ago, patients could have had a ten day stay in the hospital after undergoing surgery. However, today’s advancement in orthopedic surgery has allowed many patients to leave the hospital just a few hours after their surgery, with some resuming regular activities, such as school and work, within a few days. For example, athletes can usually return to their sport within weeks of their surgery, as long as they are well-monitored by their physician.
In this last section, a few facts about orthopedic surgery will be listed.
- Adult knee surgery is the most popular orthopedic surgery. If you haven’t already, check out one of our previous articles– titled“Orthopedics: Surgery (what it is and most common types),” to read about this in more detail!
- Orthopedic surgeons can be generalists or specialists. Some orthopedic doctors choose to specialize in one area (such as spine surgery or joint rebuilding), while others prefer to focus more on general care.
- Sometimes a team of doctors is employed to care for a patient.
- Some tests commonly used by orthopedic surgeons for diagnosing patients include X-rays, CT Scans, MRIs, and blood tests.
As you can see, there is a lot of misinformation about orthopedics that is widely spread among the public. If you have any questions regarding orthopedics, be sure to reach out to a doctor of yours!
Works Cited:
Breast Cancer:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352470
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37136#causes
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/breast-cancer-signs-and-symptoms.html
https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/breast-cancer/symptoms
https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-cancer
https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/causes-of-breast-cancer
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/risk_factors.htm
Orthopedics:
28th, Posted on September. “Common Orthopedic Myths, Debunked!” Orthopaedic Specialty
Group, 28 Sept. 2018, http://www.osgpc.com/common-orthopedic-myths-debunked/.
Fpadmin. “3 Myths About Orthopedic Surgery.” Orthopedic & Sports Institute of the Fox Valley,
15 Oct. 2019, osifv.com/2018/08/30/3-myths-about-orthopedic-surgery/.
Tejwani, Nirmal C, and Igor Immerman. “Myths and Legends in Orthopaedic Practice: Are We
All Guilty?” Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, Springer-Verlag, Nov. 2008, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2565037/.
Medical Wonders 