In women, breast cancer is the common type of cancer and it is affecting one out of eight women. At any time, this cancer may develop and the risk increases with developing of cancer as the women get older. In most of the post-menopausal women, it is common and with the increase in age will increase the risk as well.
When the breast cancer is spread beyond the breast, then it is said to be in metastatic state. This means that cancer has traveled from breast to another part of the body. The cells of cancer will travel through blood vessels or lymphatic system.
Causes
As of today, the breast cancer like any other forms of cancer is considered as one of the final outcomes of multiple hereditary and environmental factors. The risk of breast cancer will be increased by 70% in young people by inhaling the secondhand smoke and primarily menopausal women are affected by this.
Symptoms
So many fears are elicited by breast cancer including the ones that are related to surgery, loss of body image, death and loss of sexuality and however, if the breast caner is diagnosed earlier, then it is curable. Therefore, it always recommended doing a regular self screening of the body. Usually, the breast cancer will show thickening or lump in the breast tissues but not all the breast lumps are cancerous.
Often, the breast cancer will occur in left breast and also in the upper quadrant. Other than the lump, the indications of this cancer include skin dimpling, changes in breast shape and size, spontaneous discharge of single nipple or nipple inversion.
Treatment
In order to treat the breast cancer, controversies are still raging all over the world. The options to treat the breast cancer include chemotherapy, surgery, herceptin, hormonal therapies, radiotherapy and other complementary treatments.
Whenever the tumor is localized, surgery is the mainstay of the breast cancer treatment. Some of the surgeries include the possible hormonal therapy (with aromatase inhibitor or with the tamoxifen), radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
MammaPrint test is the first tests that became one of the first breast cancer predicator, which won the formal approval of the USFDA. This is a new type of gene test, which will predict whether women with the early stage of cancer will replace in about 5 to 10 years. This test will help to influence on how aggressively the tumor in the initial stages can be treated.
ILT (Interstitial Laser thermotherapy) is one of the innovative methods that are used to treat the breast cancer through minimal invasive manner. This method does not involve any surgical procedures. This procedure will not have any adverse effect on health and during the intermediate follow-up; the survival rate of the patient is high.
Pinpointing the exact cause of breast cancer is no longer a priority as it has been noted that different people’s cancer is caused by different free radicals in the body. However some risk factors has been established like excessive amount of estrogen and alcohol contained in blood, too much fat deposit and also hormone therapy known to cause an imbalance in the body’s hormonal balance. Taking note of these risk factors can help you steer clear of breast cancer.
Breast cancer in men can be characterized by a warm feel to touch and inverted nipples. If you notice this as you bath or examine yourself, then make appointment with your doctor for clinical confirmation of your status.
The early stages of breast cancer can be totally painless. This means that you can actually have breast cancer with no initial warning inform of pain. This more reason why attention should be paid to other forms of examining for cancer like checking for lumps and discharges from the nipples.
The general state of your body is a factor in the determination of the risk you face regarding breast cancer. Maintaining a state of good health will help lower the risk you stand of developing breast cancer. You should involve in activities like exercise, yoga, walking or Tai-Chi to help keep your health in good shape.
One of the sign to watch out for on your breast to help you detect breast cancer is the appearance of bruises that won’t go away. Also you may notice ridges or thickness within the breast tissues, this may occur around the surroundings of the breast and not within the breast. Pay attention to this information as it may help you detect breast cancer early thereby increasing your survival chances.
A bad side effect of breast cancer treatment is the experiencing of a premature menopause. This makes the vagina dry, and sex more painful than fun. If you are experiencing this after your breast cancer treatment, you should see your doctor immediately and have him/her refer you to a sex related defect professional.
Do you want to prevent or reduce your chances having breast cancer? If yes then you should reduce your alcohol consumption, engage in regular exercise and when you have the opportunity to, breast feed. These tips are simple but can actually save you from having breast cancer.
Preventive measures against breast cancer are not yet fully defined as the actual cause of the disease is still unclear. But you will be able to lower your breast cancer risk by avoiding food with high fat content and reduction in the amount of alcohol consumed. Also, you should do all you can to constantly be on the lookout against breast cancer by examining your breasts all the time for signs of tumors.
Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) growth that begins in the tissues of the breast. Over the course of a 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 may be one of the oldest known forms of cancer 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 cancer except lung cancer. Today, breast cancer, like other forms of cancer, is considered to be a result of damage to DNA. How this mechanism may occur comes from several known or hypothesized factors (such as exposure to ionizing radiation, or viral mutagenesis). Some factors lead to an increased rate of mutation (exposure to estrogens) 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 does. Experts predict 178,000 women and 2,000 men will develop breast cancer in the United States. There are several different types of breast cancer. First is Ductal carcinoma begins in the cells lining the ducts that bring milk to the nipple and accounts for more than 75% of breast cancers. Second is Lobular carcinoma begins in the milk-secreting glands of the breast but is otherwise fairly similar in its 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
Simply being a woman is the main risk for breast cancer. While men can also get the disease, it is about 100 times more common in women than in men. The chance of getting breast cancer goes up as a woman gets older. Nearly 8 out of 10 breast cancers are found in women age 50 or older. About 5% to 10% of breast cancers are linked to changes (mutations) in certain genes. The most common gene changes are those of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease. The relatives can be from either the mother’s or father’s side of the family. Woman with cancer in one breast has a greater chance of getting a new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast. This is different from the first cancer coming back Many experts now believe that the main reason for this is because they have faster growing tumors. Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian women have a lower risk of getting breast cancer. Certain types of abnormal biopsy results can be linked to a slightly higher risk of breast cancer.Women who have had radiation treatment to the chest area (as treatment for another cancer) earlier in life have a greatly increased risk of breast cancer
Janet Lane-Claypon orchestrated the first scientific study of breast cancer during the mid-1920s. Eighty years later, we still lack a full understanding of what exactly causes breast cancer. We do know that all cancers are caused by some kind of damage to the DNA. Exposure to radiation, estrogen hormones, diet, and geography are all elements that could contribute to the mutation of DNA, leading to several kinds of cancer. Our inability to find a cure results from our inability to determine the root cause of breast cancer. The risks of breast cancer increase as women age. Women who are fortunate enough to live to be ninety have a one in seven chance of getting breast cancer. Family history is another important factor. Women whose mothers, grandmothers, and aunts suffered from breast cancer are more likely to experience breast cancer as well.
Symptoms
Regular breast examinations and mammograms are so important because the symptoms of breast cancer are completely painless and difficult to detect. Lumps on the breast, under the arm or above the collarbone that do not go away is one sign. Breast discharge, skin discolorations, and nipple inversion are also warning signs. Please review our guide to self-examinations below.
Treatment
Surgery remains the most popular form of treatment. Hormonal therapy is often used in tandem with surgery. The severity of a patient’s condition, whether it be high or low risk, designates the specific cycle of hormonal treatment.
Patients are subjected to X-rays or gamma rays that bombard the cancerous tumors with powerful radiation. This is done using a machine called a linear accelerator. This treatment is often used in conjunction with surgery. Sometimes radiation will be used after surgery to clean up any remaining cancerous material that was not removed by the surgery. Other times, the radiation is used as a precursor to surgery to prepare the area for invasive entry. Radiation treatment is performed for about fifteen minutes each day, for five days a week. This goes on for five to seven weeks. Because normal cells repair themselves much more quickly than cancerous cells, we can use radiation without the risk of permanently damaging normal tissue.
Chemotherapy is also performed before and after surgery. Here are some common types of chemotherapy:
Tamoxifen is used to block estrogen receptors, common in cells, in order to stop the transportation of estrogen between cells.
Aromatase inhibitors lowers the estrogen count in post-menopausal women.
GnRH-analogues can be useful during the early stages of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is a cancer that comes from cells in the breasts. While many people believe that only women can get breast cancer, it is possible for men to be diagnosed. However, it is one hundred times less likely for men.
Causes and Prevention
The risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer is affected by factors both environmental and hereditary. One major factor is age. An older person has a much higher risk of breast cancer. However, breast cancer tends to be more severe in younger people. The second important factor is family history. Two genes called BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 are the cause of most familial breast cancer. About 70% of people with mutations in those two genes are diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. However, the removal of ovaries can lower breast cancer due to these genetic mutations by almost 50%.
While it has not exactly proven, most people believe that diet affects the risk of breast cancer. The higher your fat intake, the higher the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. The intake of vitamin D and many vegetables can help reduce the risk.
Signs
Usually, the first symptom of breast cancer is an abnormal lump that appears in the breast. If you feel any unusual lump that feels different from surrounding tissue, you should immediately see a doctor. Other signs of breast cancer include the changing of size and/or shape of the breasts and the inversion of nipples.
Breast Cancer commonly causes a syndrome called Paget’s disease of the breast. This can cause burning, itching, and other pain.
Treatment
The foundation of most breast cancer treatment is surgery. In addition, patients can receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is used to impair the replication of cells, and , if targeted correctly, can be very effective in stopping cancer. Radiotherapy damages the DNA of cells, which also stops their reproduction.
Breast cancer affects one in eight women during their lives. Breast cancer kills more women in the United States than any cancer except lung cancer. No one knows why some women get breast cancer, but there are a number of risk factor
Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the cells of the breast in men and women. Worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer (10.4% of all cancer incidence, both sexes counted) and the fifth most common cause of cancer death.
Breast Cancer Causes
In breast cancer, some of the cells in your breast begin growing abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and may spread (metastasize) through your breast, to your lymph nodes or to other parts of your body
Women who start their periods early (early puberty) or have a late menopause have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer.
Women who are taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or have recently taken it, have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. Detailed information about HRT.
Although the precise causes of breast cancer are unclear, we know what the main risk factors are. Still, most women considered at high risk for breast cancer do not get it, while many who do have no known risk factors.
Breast Cancer symptoms
Breast lumps in general
The first symptom of breast cancer for many women is a lump in their breast. But 9 out of 10 breast lumps (90%) are benign. That means they are not cancers. Most benign breast lumps are not cancers.
A lump or a thickening in the breast or in the armpit: Some lumps or swelling in the breast tissue may be due to hormonal changes. But if a lump or thickening persists, whether it is in the breast or in the armpit area, it may be a cause for concern.
Fluid (not milk) leaking from the nipple: Between ages 41 – 58, there may be a small bit of non-bloody leakage from the nipples of both breasts. This leakage is usually due to hormonal changes and is not worrisome.
Treatments of Breast Cancer
Surgery
Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), mastectomy, and lymph node dissection, and what to expect from each.
Building Long-Term Health
Why it’s so important to stick to your treatment plan, take the full course of medications, and continue with regular tests and doctors’ visits to keep yourself healthy into the future.
Tests on your cancer cells
Your breast cancer cells can be tested to see if they have hormone receptors’ or biological therapy receptors. There are oestrogen receptors and progesterone receptors.
Identifying breast cancer causes can help health experts and doctors formulate methods for treating such condition. Basically, the cancer starts at the tissues of the breast and the type of breast cancer that one experiences is determined by exactly which part of the breast is affected.
Having knowledge about possible breast cancer causes can help create awareness of what lifestyle choices or other health choices are to be made in order to prevent this condition.
Below are just some of the most common causes of this illness recognized to date.
Breast Cancer Cause # 1: Hereditary Factors
Although it has been known that only 5 to 10 percent of cancerous cells are inherited, several cases of women suffering from breast cancer have inherited them in the family.
A significant number of breast cancer patients (about 20 to 30 percent, with other statistical research reaching up to 50 percent) have reported that a close relative previously had the same disease or had any previous record in their family.
Therefore, health experts have opted not to neglect this factor in terms of analyzing this disease in the hopes of finding an effective cure. Genetic defects in either one of two breast cancer genes can be a culprit.
Breast Cancer Cause # 2: Genetic Mutations
As opposed to inherited genes, genetic mutations are recognized as one of the major causes of this disease. This one can be brought about by various environmental factors such as radiation exposure, which happens when a woman previously had a therapy or treatment.
Those women who have undergone any form of treatment that require their chest area to be exposed to radiation are more likely to develop breast cancer, even when the treatment took place at an earlier age. The risk increases for those who have had such treatment during their adolescent years.
Although it does not guarantee that you will be acquiring the disease if you had undergone such treatment requiring exposure to radiation, it does increase the possibility.
As of now, researchers are furthering their efforts to unlock the relationship between environmental factors and an individual’s genetic make-up.
Breast Cancer Cause # 3: Age and Gender
Health experts have identified and proven that the risk of acquiring this illness increases as you age. Therefore, women over the age of 50 take up majority of the demographics for patients suffering from breast cancer. Moreover, those women over 50 who experience this disease suffer from advanced cases of the disease.
The breasts holds significant meaning to female sex. Those woman who got breast cancer easily get emotional and physical trauma because the chance of losing this vital part of the body is very high severerly erodes a womanâs self image. Worldwide statistics shows that breast cancer affects approximately one out of 12 women. Although rare, this most dangerous disease also affects men as well but the percent is low as 1% of all breast cancer cases.
There are many factors that related to the cause of breast cancer such as wearing under-wires bras but the actual causes of breast cancer is still unkown. The common factors that causes breast cancer are listed below.
The Family History.
Those with family of breast cancer are at high risk to get breast cancer. The risk in increase fourfold is two first degree relatives are affected.
Use of Oral Contraceptives & Hormone Replacement Therapies.
The prolonged use of birth control pills and hormone replacement therapies (HRT) is linked to heightened risk of breast cancer by 1.2 and 1.3 times respectively. This is because the hormone estrogen is believed to stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells.
Diet and Obesity
Excessive consumption of saturated fat can increase the risk of getting breast cancer. Obesity has been found to be a breast cancer risk in studies, especially for women after menopause. Although the ovaries produce most of estrogen, fat tissue produces a small amount of estrogen. Having more fat tissue can increase your estrogen levels and increase your likelihood of developing breast cancer.
Other risk factors are nulliparity or not having children, abortion of the first pregnancy, early onset of menstruation (before age 12) and late menopause (after age 55).
Breast cancer is very traumatic for women as it affects them mentally, physically and emotionally. Family support is very vital to see them through the various treatments and later return to normal daily life.
As the days and years pass, you will see that there are more and more women being affected by breast cancer. Because of this, one of the questions about breast cancer that comes into mind is its main causes. Are there any ways of avoiding it?
First, one of the main reasons why a number of women have breast cancer is because of genes. When a family member or a number of them have suffered from breast cancer or any other type of cancer, for that matter, it will increase the chances of the new generations in their family in acquiring their disease. There is a gene in the family that is making cells in the body grow uncontrollable. So when these genes are said to be positive for cancer, it can be multiplying the cancer cells in the body.
The next reason is that the body may not be getting the needed nutrients in order for it to protect it from diseases and henceforth you are also increasing the chances of you getting breast cancer. Keep in mind that even machines break down without fuel. Therefore, the body should also have the proper nutrients in order to keep the physical machine running at its optimal level.
With all the industrialization affecting our environment and becoming very busy with work which impulsively changes our lifestyle, we are bringing in a lot of toxins in our body that in the end increases women’s chances of having cancer. Uncontrolled vices such as alcohol and smoking will also bring in a lot of toxins in our body. With this, it is important for you to do detoxification methods in order to keep these toxins from settling in your body and make it an aid in promoting cancer in the body.
Next is being exposed to radiation through areas with high electromagnetic fields. Exposure to this will promote mutation in the DNA structure and can promote development of cancer cells aside from cellular damage that it may cause in the body.
Being too stressed out can also promote cancer growth. The reason for this is that being mentally stressed will also cause your body to experience too much fatigue. You need to remember that all the physical processes is controlled by the brain and once stress sets in, it will greatly have an effect on your body to let disease dominate it.
The final reason is that there are products meant for personal care that are really not promoting care on your body. These products may have carcinogenic contents that are increasing the chances of having cancer. With this, you have to make sure that using personal care products should be consulted with the doctors so you will be recommended with a reliable personal care items.
The Sister Study, conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, is seeking 50000 women whose sisters had breast cancer to help find the causes of breast cancer. For more information visit www.sisterstudy.org, or for Spanish www.estudiodehermanas.org. Call toll-free 1-877-4SISTER (877-474-7837). Deaf/Hard of Hearing call 1-866-TTY-4SIS (866-889-4747).
