Breast cancer

Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts.

After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it's far more common in women.

Substantial support for breast cancer awareness and research funding has helped created advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Breast cancer survival rates have increased, and the number of deaths associated with this disease is steadily declining, largely due to factors such as earlier detection, a new personalized approach to treatment and a better understanding of the disease.

What is breast cancer? An expert explain

Causes

Doctors know that breast cancer occurs when some of the breast cells begin to grow abnormally. These cells divide more quickly than healthy cells and continue to accumulate, forming a lump or mass. Cells may spread metastasize through your breast to your lymph nodes or parts of your body.

Breast cancer usually begins with cells in the milk ducts (invasive ductal carcinoma). Breast cancer can also be started in the form of invasive lobes (invasive lobular carcinoma) or in other cells or tissues within the breast.

Researchers have identified hormones, lifestyle, and environmental factors that may increase your risk of breast cancer. But it is not clear why some harmless people get cancer, but some vulnerable people have never had it. Breast cancer is more likely to be caused by complex genetic factors.

Genetic breast cancer

Doctors estimate that about 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are related to genetic mutations in previous generations.

A number of modified genes that can increase the risk of breast cancer have been identified. The best known are breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2), both of which increase the risk of both breast and cervical cancer.

If you have a strong family history of breast cancer or other cancers, your doctor may recommend a blood test to help identify certain mutations in BRCA or other genes passed on to your family.

Consider asking your doctor to refer you to a genetic counselor, who can review your family health history. The genetic counselor can also discuss the benefits, risks and limitations of genetic testing to help you make informed decisions.

Risk factors

The risk factor for breast cancer is anything that makes you more likely to get breast cancer. But having one or more risk factors for breast cancer does not mean that you will have breast cancer. Most women who get breast cancer do not have the known risk factors other than being women.

Factors associated with an increased risk of breast cancer include:

Being a woman. Women are more likely to get breast cancer than men.

Growth of years. Your chances of getting breast cancer increase as you get older.

Personal history of breast conditions. If you have had a breast biopsy that has detected lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia of the breast, you have an increased risk of breast cancer.

Personal history of breast cancer. If you have had breast cancer in one breast, you have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Family history of breast cancer. If your mother, sister or daughter is diagnosed with breast cancer, especially at an early age, the risk of developing breast cancer increases. However, most people who are diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease.

Genetics that increase the risk of cancer. Genetic mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer can be passed from parents to children. The most well-known genetic mutations are called BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes can significantly increase the risk of breast cancer and other cancers, but they do not prevent cancer.

Radiation exposure. If you have received radiation therapy in your chest as a child or a teenager, the risk of developing breast cancer increases.

Obesity. Obesity increases the risk of breast cancer.

Starting your period at a young age. Starting your period before 12 years increases the risk of breast cancer.

The onset of menopause in adulthood. If you start menstruating when you are older, you are more likely to get breast cancer.

Having your first child when you grow up. Women who give birth to their first child after 30 years may have an increased risk of breast cancer.

She has never been pregnant. Women who have never been pregnant are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who have had one or more pregnancies.

Postmenopausal hormone treatment. Women who use hormone therapy that includes estrogen and progesterone to treat the signs and symptoms of menopause have an increased risk of breast cancer. The chances of developing breast cancer decrease when women stop taking these drugs.

Drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.

Prevention

Breast Self-exam

Reducing the risk of breast cancer in women at risk

Wedge-shaped pattern for breast self-examination

Breast self-examination Open pop-up dialog box

Making changes in your daily life may help reduce the risk of breast cancer. Try to:

Ask your doctor about breast cancer screening. Talk to your doctor about when to start breast cancer screening and testing, such as clinical breast screening and mammograms.

Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of testing. Together, you can decide which breast cancer screening strategies are best for you.

Get acquainted (gain, obtain) with present-day techniques that came from Positive Psychology. Women may choose to get acquainted with their breasts by checking their breasts from time to time for self-examination. If there are any new changes, lumps or other unusual symptoms in your breasts, talk to your doctor right away.

Breast awareness can not prevent breast cancer, but it may help you to better understand the common changes your breasts are experiencing and to recognize any unusual signs and symptoms.

Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than one drink per day, if you choose to drink.

Exercise several days a week. Schedule at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. If you have been unemployed recently, ask your doctor if it is okay and start small.

Limit postmenopausal hormone treatment. Combined hormone therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy.

Some women experience disturbing signs and symptoms during menopause again,