Each year about 46,000 people received the devastating news that you have breast cancer. Dealing with this diagnosis can be a time of confusion, fear and loneliness, not only for the person diagnosed, but also for their partners, friends and relatives. Breast Cancer Care will be there for each of them.
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Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in breast tissue.
The breast is composed of lobes and ducts. Each breast has 15 to 20 points called lobes, that many smaller sections called milk glands. lobules end in dozens of tiny bulbs that can make milk. The lobes, lobules and bulbs are linked by thin tubes called ducts.
Each breast also has blood vessels and lymphatics. Lymphatic vessels carry lymph fluid called almost colorless. The lymph vessels lead to organs called lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped structures throughout the body. They filter substances in lymph and fight infection and disease. Clusters of lymph nodes are found near the breast in the axilla (under the arm), above the collarbone and chest.
The most common form of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the cells of the tubes. Cancer that begins in the lobes or lobules is called lobular carcinoma and is more often found in both breasts than other types of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare form of breast cancer in the breast is warm, red and swollen.
The age and health history can affect the risk of developing breast cancer.
Something that your chances of getting a disease is called a risk factor increases. Risk factors for breast cancer are as follows:
- Older age.
- Menstruation at a young age.
- The older age at first birth or never giving birth.
- A personal history of breast cancer or benign (cancerous) disease of the breast.
- A mother or sister with breast cancer.
- Treatment with radiotherapy of the breast / chest.
- Dense breast tissue, which is located on a mammogram.
- Taking hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.
- Drinking alcoholic beverages.
- As white.
Breast Cancer is sometimes caused by mutations in the gene inherited (change).
The genes in cells carry the hereditary information received by the parents of a person. Hereditary breast cancer accounts for roughly 5% to 10% of cases of breast cancer. Some altered genes associated with breast cancer are more common in certain ethnic groups.
Women who have an altered gene associated with breast cancer who have had breast cancer in one breast have an increased risk of developing breast cancer within the other. These women have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer, and may be an increased risk of developing other cancers. Men who have an altered gene associated with breast cancer have an increased risk of developing this disease. (For more information, see the PDQ summary on Male Breast Cancer Treatment.)
The tests have been developed that can detect altered genes. These genetic tests are sometimes done for members of families with a high risk of cancer. (See the PDQ summaries on Screening for breast cancer, breast cancer prevention, and genetics of breast cancer and ovarian cancer for more information).
The test that examines the breasts are used to detect (find) and diagnose breast cancer.
A doctor should be seen as changes in the breast are noticed. The following tests and procedures may be used:
- Mammography: An x-ray of the breast.
- Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues so they can be seen under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. If a breast lump is found, the doctor may decide to cut a small piece of the clot. Four types of biopsies are as follows:
- Excisional biopsy: The removal of an entire solid or suspicious tissue.
- Incision biopsy: The removal of a portion of a lump or suspicious tissue.
- Core biopsy: The removal of a portion of a lump or suspicious tissue with a major in August
- August needle aspiration biopsy: The removal of a portion of a lump, suspicious tissue, or fluid, using a fine needle.
- Estrogen and progesterone receptor test: A test to measure estrogen and progesterone (hormones) receptors in cancer tissue. If the cancer is found in breast tissue of the tumor is examined in the laboratory to find out whether estrogen and progesterone can affect the way cancer grows. The test results show whether hormone therapy may stop tumor growth.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following factors:
- The tumor stage (if only in the breast or has spread to lymph nodes or elsewhere in the body).
- The type of breast cancer.
- Estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor levels in tumor tissue.
- A woman’s age, overall health and status of menopause (if a woman is still menstruating).
- If the cancer has been diagnosed or has been re-(back).