Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) growth that begins in the tissues of the breast. In her lifetime, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer is a cancer of the breast tissue, which can occur in both women and men. Breast cancer can be one of the oldest forms of cancerous tumors in humans. Worldwide, breast cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death (after lung cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, and colon cancer). Breast cancer kills more women in the United States than any other cancer except lung. Today, breast cancer, like other forms of cancer, is considered the result of DNA damage. How this mechanism can occur stems from several known or hypothetical factors (such as exposure to ionizing radiation or viral mutagenesis). Some factors lead to a higher mutation rate (estrogen exposure) and decreased repair (the BRCA1, BRCA2, and p53 genes). Alcohol generally appears to increase the risk of breast cancer.
Breast cancer can also occur in men, although it rarely occurs. Experts predict that 178,000 women and 2,000 men will develop breast cancer in the United States. There are several different types of breast cancer. First, ductal carcinoma begins in the cells that line the ducts that carry milk to the nipple and accounts for more than 75% of breast cancers. Second, lobular carcinoma begins in the milk-secreting glands of the breast, but is otherwise quite similar in behavior to ductal carcinoma. Other varieties of breast cancer can arise from the skin, fat, connective tissues, and other cells present in the breast. Some women have what is known as HER2 positive breast cancer. HER2, short for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2, is a gene that helps control cell growth, division, and repair. When cells have too many copies of this gene, cell growth speeds up.
Causes of breast cancer
The simple fact of being a woman is the main risk of breast cancer. While men can get the disease too, it is about 100 times more common in women than in men. The likelihood of developing breast cancer increases as a woman ages. Nearly 8 out of 10 breast cancers are found in women age 50 and older. About 5% to 10% of breast cancers are related to changes (mutations) in certain genes. The most common genetic changes are those of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The risk of breast cancer is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease. The relative can be on the maternal or paternal side of the family. A woman with cancer in one breast has a greater chance of developing a new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast. This is different from the first cancer that comes back. Many experts now believe that the main reason for this is that they have faster growing tumors. Asian, Hispanic, and Native American women have a lower risk of breast cancer. Certain types of abnormal biopsy results may be linked to a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. Women who have received radiation therapy to the chest area (as a treatment for another cancer) earlier in life have a much higher risk of breast cancer
Some pregnant women were given the drug DES (diethylstilbestrol) because it was thought to reduce the chances of losing the baby. Recent studies have shown that these women (and their daughters who were exposed to DES while in utero) have a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer. Drinking alcohol is clearly linked to a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. Women who have 1 drink a day have a very small risk. Those who have 2 to 5 drinks a day are about 1½ times more at risk than women who do not drink alcohol. The American Cancer Society suggests limiting the amount you drink. Also, the risk appears to be higher if the extra fat is in the waist area. Breastfeeding and pregnancy: Some studies have shown that breastfeeding slightly reduces the risk of breast cancer, especially if breastfeeding lasts between 1½ and 2 years. This could be because breastfeeding reduces a woman’s total number of menstrual periods, as does pregnancy. Women who started having periods early (before age 12) or who went through life change (menopause) after age 55 have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.
Symptoms of breast cancer
1. Packages.
2. Rash.
3. Breast pain.
4. Cysts.
5. Discharge from the nipple.
6.Inverted nipple.
Breast cancer treatment
1. Hormone therapy (with tamoxifen).
2. Chemotherapy.
3. Radiation therapy.
4. Surgery.