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Breast Cancer Introduction |
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Breast cancer develops when breast cells
divide and grow without control
and form a cancerous (malignant)
mass or tumor. Most breast
tumors are non-cancerous
(benign), and their cells don't
spread (metastasize) to other
parts of the body. A cancerous breast tumor,
conversely, is made up of
destructive cells that are
invasive and do metastasize to
other parts of the body.
These mutated cells penetrate
and destroy the surrounding,
healthy body tissues. But
not all breast cancers have the
same degree of aggressiveness or
potential to spread. |
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There are
different forms of breast cancer and
each varies in regards to its
invasiveness. The most common
forms include:
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Infiltrating ductal
carcinoma*
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Ductal carcinoma in
situs**
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Infiltrating
lobular carcinoma***
*nfiltrating
ductal carcinoma is an invasive
cancer which accounts for nearly
80% of all diagnosed breast cancer
cases
**Ductal
carcinoma in situs is classified
as a non-invasive form of cancer
***Infiltrating
lobular carcinoma is considered
both aggressive and invasive
Many women share a
common fear of developing breast
cancer. Other than nonmelanoma
skin cancers, breast cancer is the most
common cancer diagnosed in women.
Breast
cancers remain the leading cause of death
for women between the ages of 40 and
55. Men may also develop
abnormalities in breast tissue and
are not excluded from the
development of certain breast
cancers. The probability of
this, however, is extremely rare.
Breast cancer rates have been steadily increasing
over the decades. A woman's
lifetime risk of developing breast
cancer is now approximately 1 in 8.
It is now thought that 5 to 10
percent of breast cancers are caused
by genetic predisposition.
These women are at
increased risk if their mother or sister(s) were diagnosed with breast
cancer before the age of 40, if both
developed it before the age of 60,
or if three family members were
diagnosed with breast cancer at any
age.
Additional risk
factors for breast cancer include; gender, age,
previous breast cancer diagnosis, benign
breast disease, early onset of
menstruation, late menopause, late
childbearing, never having been
pregnant, obesity, low physical
activity, use of postmenopausal
hormone replacement therapy, use of
oral contraceptives, exposure to
ionizing radiation, nutrient
deficiencies, high alcohol
consumption, large breast size, and
smoking.
According to the
American Cancer Society (1):
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Approximately
175,000 American women and 1300
American men will be diagnosed
with breast cancer in 2004.
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Breast cancer is
the second leading cause of cancer
deaths in women today (after lung
cancer).
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Approximately
43,300 women and 400 men will die
from breast cancer in 2004.
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The death rates
from breast cancer declined
significantly in the 1990s, most
probably due to earlier detection
and more effective treatments.
Having regular
monthly breast self-exams, and
yearly clinical breast exams are
considered the most effective ways
to lower the risk of dying from
breast cancer. There are often
times NO physical symptoms
associated with the onset of this
disease. The primary sign, or
symptom, associated with breast
cancer is finding a breast
lump by self-exam, clinical breast
exam, or mammogram. Pain or
tenderness may also be present in the
breast. I f a lump is found, a
biopsy is necessary to determine if
the lump is benign or malignant in
nature.
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Breast Cancer |
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