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 BREAST
CANCER
- What Is Breast
Cancer?
Cells in the
body normally divide (reproduce) only when new cells are needed.
Sometimes, cells in a part of the body grow and divide out of control,
which creates a mass of tissue called a tumor. If the cells that
are growing out of control are normal cells, the tumor is called
benign (not cancerous.) If however, the cells that are growing out
of control are abnormal and don't function like the body's normal
cells, the tumor is called malignant (cancerous).
Cancers
are named after the part of the body from which they originate.
Breast cancer originates in the breast tissue. Like other cancers,
breast cancer can invade and grow into the tissue surrounding the
breast. It can also travel to other parts of the body and form new
tumors, a process called metastasis.
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What Causes
Breast Cancer?
We do not know
what causes breast cancer, although we do know that certain risk
factors may put you at higher risk of developing it. A risk factor
is anything that puts you at higher risk of developing a particular
disease. A person's age, genetic factors, personal health history
and diet all contribute to breast cancer risk.
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Who Gets
Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer
is the most common cancer among women other than skin cancer.
Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in women
after lung cancer -- and is the leading cause of cancer death among
women ages 35 to 54. In 2001, 192,200 women will be diagnosed with
breast cancer and approximately 40,600 will die. Although these
numbers may sound frightening, research reveals that the mortality
rate could decrease by 30% if all women age 50 and older who need
a mammogram had one.
Only 5-10%
of breast cancers occur in women with a clearly defined genetic
predisposition for the disease. The majority of breast cancer cases
are "sporadic," meaning there is no direct family history
of the disease. The risk for developing breast cancer increases
as a woman ages
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What Are
The Warning Signs Of Breast Cancer?
Lump or thickening
in or near the breast or in the underarm that persists through the
menstrual cycle
A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a pea
A change in the size, shape or contour of the breast
A blood-stained or clear fluid discharge from the nipple
A change in the feel or appearance of the skin on the breast or
nipple (dimpled, puckered, scaly or inflamed)
Redness of the skin on the breast or nipple
An area which is distinctly different from any other area on either
breast
A marble-like hardened area under the skin
These changes may be found when performing monthly breast self-exams.
By performing breast self-exams, you can become familiar with the
normal monthly changes in your breasts.
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Breast self-examination
should be performed at the same time each month, three to five days
after your menstrual period ends. If you have stopped menstruating,
perform the exam on the same day of each month.
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