Everyday in your body cells divide, grow and die. Most of the time cells divide and grow in an orderly manner. Sometimes however something goes wrong and they grow out of control. This causes a tumor. A tumor is a mass or a lump of cells that have not grown in an orderly fashion.
Today, 1 of 7 Women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime, compared to
1 of 11 in 1970.
There are two kinds of tumors, benign and malignant.
Benign tumors are abnormal cells that are not cancerous. They may cause health risks but will not spread from the tissue originally found. When benign tumors are removed, they typically do not reappear. Benign tumors are not cause for great concern.
Malignant tumors are cancerous. They are abnormal cells that can spread from where it originated and invade other tissues spreading to other parts of the body causing disease. Malignant tumors pose a great health risk and can be life threatening.
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast Cancer is when malignant tumors are found in breast tissue. It develops when cells divide and grow abnormally in breast tissue. These cancerous cells continue to invade nearby tissue and can spread throughout the body if not treated.
What are the factors that increase the risks someone will develop Breast Cancer?
There are many risks that increase the chance someone will develop Breast Cancer in his or her lifetime. These are the highest risks in the order of importance.
- Being Female
Women are 100 times more likely than men to develop breast cancer.
- Age is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer.
The older a woman is, the more likely she is to develop breast cancer. In USA, 94 % of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year are age 40 or older. Age increases the likelihood abnormal cell changes will occur in breast tissue.
- Inherited genetic Mutations
Inheriting genetic mutations increases the odds that a woman will develop breast cancer. Mutations have been identified although rare account for five to ten percent of all breast cancers diagnosed in the US. Mutations are changes that have occurred in genes that have a link to the development of breast cancer.
- Carcinoma In Situ
A woman who has had carcinoma in situ a condition where large numbers of abnormal cells grow in the lobules or ducts of the breast is also at high risk for developing breast cancer. Carcinoma In situ is not cancer but simply a mass of abnormal cells.
- Family History of Breast, ovarian, Prostrate Cancer
Family History of Breast, Ovarian or Prostrate Cancer is a very important factor in determining a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.
- High Breast Density on a Mammogram
High Breast Density refers to a woman whose breasts contain a high amount of tissue in relation to fat. Women whose breasts contain more fat than tissue have low density type breasts and are at lower risk for developing breast cancer.
- Radiation Exposure in Youth
High Levels of Exposure to Radiation early in life such as atomic bomb explosions or therapeutic radiation for certain cancers also poses a high risk.
Very low doses from X-rays and mammograms do not have a large impact if any at all.
There are many other risk factors but these seven are considered the most important!!
What is the best way to prevent breast cancer?
The best prevention for breast cancer is getting tested regularly for breast cancer. Screening Tests include mammography, clinical breast exams, and breast self exams. For the general population, it is recommended that women get mammograms every year beginning at age 40. Clinical Breast exams and self exams are also encouraged for women ages 20 and up.
Mammography is overall a very effective tool for diagnosing breast cancer. Early detection offers a higher chance for a complete cure and recovery. Mammography is a technique that uses xrays to provide an image of the breast. These images called mammograms are used to find potential signs of cancer.
Women considered high risk are encouraged to get screened at much more frequent intervals and may also undergo other screening tests such as MRI and ultrasound.
How is Breast Cancer Diagnosed?
Breast cancer is often first suspected when a lump is felt or when an abnormal area is found on a mammogram.
Different types of biopsies and follow up tests are then employed where the abnormal cells are tested to determine if they are cancerous.
What are the types of treatment available for breast cancer?
There are many types of treatment available today. In the past two decades great improvements have been made. Some types of treatment include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and herceptin and other alternative emerging therapies.
What happens after treatment?
Many breast cancer patients survive the disease and there are more than 2 million survivors in USA today. Emotional support and assistance is very important to patients and survivors. |
