CANCER – Breast Cancer
Author: Jessie Hamilton
Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer among women and the second most common cause of cancer deaths among women in the U. S. Although most breast cancers identified as caused by abnormalities seen on a mammogram, a lump or change in the consistency of breast tissue may also be a sign of the disease. Awareness of the risk of breast cancer in recent decades has led to increasing numbers of women in mammography screening, which led to the discovery of cancer at an early stage and the resultant improvement in survival. However, breast cancer is the most common cause of death among women aged between 45 and 55. Although breast cancer in women is a common form of cancer, breast cancer occurs in humans and represents approximately 1% of cancer deaths in men.
Research has produced a lot of information about the causes of breast cancer, and now believe that genetic factors and / or hormonal factors are the main risk factor for breast cancer. Classification system has been developed for physicians since the cancer has spread and make decisions about treatment options feature. Breast cancer treatment depends on many factors, including the three types of cancer and how far it has spread. Treatment options for breast cancer may require surgery (removal of the cancer itself or, in some cases, mastectomy), radiation, hormonal, and / or chemotherapy.
With advances in screening, diagnosis and treatment, mortality from breast cancer decreased approximately 20% in the last ten years, research programs and ongoing screening and treatment to be better developed.
The breasts also contain lymph vessels. These vessels lead to small, round organs called lymph nodes. Groups of lymph nodes near the breast in the axilla (armpit), above the collarbone in the chest behind the breastbone, and in many other parts of the body. Lymph nodes trap bacteria, cancer or harmful substances other.
The process of cancer
Beginning in cancer cells, the building blocks from which the tissue. Form a network of organs.
Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells that the body needs them. As cells age, they die and new cells take their place.
Sometimes, this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them and old cells do not die when they should. Extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor. Tumors can be benign or malignant.
Malignant tumors are cancer:
* Malignant tumors are generally more serious than benign tumors. They can be deadly.
* Malignant tumors often can be eliminated. But sometimes they grow back.
* The cells of malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and organs.
* The cells of malignant tumors can spread () spread to other parts of the body. Cancer cells, by breaking the primary (original) tumor and into the bloodstream and lymph nodes. Cells attack the other organs and form new tumors that damage these organs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.
When cancer cells spread, cancer cells are often found in lymph nodes near the breast. Breast cancer can also spread to almost all other body parts. The most common are bone, liver, lungs and brain. The new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the primary tumor. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the bones, the cancer cells are in fact bone cells of breast cancer. The disease is metastatic breast cancer, not bone cancer. For this reason, it is treated as breast cancer, not bone cancer. Doctors call the new tumor “distant” or metastatic disease.
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Nobody knows the exact causes of breast cancer. Doctors often can not explain why a woman developing breast cancer and others do not. They know that bumps, bruises, or touching the breast does not cause cancer. And breast cancer is not contagious. You may not enter another person.
Research has shown that women with risk factors are more likely than others to develop breast cancer. A risk factor is something that can increase the risk of developing the disease.
The study of risk factors for breast cancer:
* Age: The risk of contracting breast cancer increases with age woman. Most breast cancer cases occur in women over 60 years. The disease is not common before menopause.
* Personal history of breast cancer: a woman with breast cancer in one breast have an increased risk of breast cancer in the other.
* Family history: breast cancer risk is higher if her mother, sister or daughter with breast cancer. Higher risk if the family has had breast cancer before age 40. Having other relatives with breast cancer (either the mother or father of the family) may also increase the risk of a woman.
* Some breast changes: Some women have cells in the breast that appear normal under a microscope. After several types of abnormal cells (atypical hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ [LCIS]) increases the risk of breast cancer.
* Gene changes: Changes in certain genes in breast cancer risk. Gene BRCA1, BRCA2, and others. Tests can sometimes indicate a specific genetic change in a family with many women with breast cancer. May caregivers suggest ways to try to reduce the risk of breast cancer or to detect the disease among women who change their genes to increase.
* Art and the menstrual cycle: The more a woman is when her first child, the greater the risk of breast cancer. Women who have the first menstrual period before age 12 years have increased breast cancer risk. Women who experienced menopause after age 55 have an increased risk of breast cancer. Women who never have children at increased risk of breast cancer. That postmenopausal women with hormone therapy of estrogen and progestin after menopause also appear to have increased risk of breast cancer. Large well-designed studies have shown no association between abortion or miscarriage and breast cancer.
* Breed: Breast cancer is more common among white women than Latina, Asian or African-American women were diagnosed.
* Radiation therapy in the chest: Women who had radiation to the chest (including breasts) before age 30 have breast cancer risk. This includes women treated with radiotherapy for Hodgkin’s disease. Studies show that young woman when she received radiation, the greater her risk of breast cancer later in life.
* Breast density: Breast tissue may be dense or fatty acids. The older woman who mammograms (breast x-rays) show more dense increased risk of breast cancer.
* Taking DES (diethylstilbestrol): DES has been given to some pregnant women in the United States between about 1940 and 1971. (This is no longer given to pregnant women.) Women who took DES during pregnancy part is slightly increased risk of breast cancer. Effects that may at the girls they are learning.
* Because overweight or obese after menopause: Opportunity to have breast cancer after menopause is higher in women who are overweight or obese.
* Lack of exercise: Women who are physically inactive throughout life may have increased risk of breast cancer. Active can help reduce risk by preventing weight gain and obesity.
* Drinking alcohol: Studies suggest that the more a woman drinks alcohol, the risk of breast cancer.