Breast Cancer – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Global Courant

Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) growth that begins in the tissues of the breast. Over the course of her life, 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 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 cancer except lung cancer. Today, breast cancer, like other cancers, is considered to be a result of DNA damage. 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 oestrogens) and decreased repair genes (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 is rare. Experts predict that 178,000 women and 2,000 men will develop breast cancer in the United States. There are different types of breast cancer. First, ductal carcinoma begins in the cells lining the ducts that carry milk to the nipple and is responsible for more than 75% of breast cancers. Second, lobular carcinoma begins in the lactating glands of the breast, but is otherwise quite similar in behavior to ductal carcinoma. Other types of breast cancer can arise from the skin, fat, connective tissue, and other cells 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 regulate the growth, division and repair of cells. When cells have too many copies of this gene, cell growth accelerates.

Causes of breast cancer

Just being a woman is the biggest risk of breast cancer. Although men can also get the disease, it is about 100 times more common in women than in men. The chance of getting breast cancer increases 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 related to changes (mutations) in certain genes. The most common gene changes are those of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The risk of breast cancer is higher in women whose close relatives have this disease. The relatives can be either maternal or paternal side of the family. Women with cancer in one breast are more likely to develop a new cancer in the other breast or in a different part of the same breast. This is different from the first cancer that comes back. Many experts now think the main reason for this is because they have faster-growing tumors. Asian, Hispanic, and Native American women have a lower risk of developing breast cancer. Certain types of abnormal biopsy results may be associated with a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. Women who have undergone radiation therapy to the breast area (as a treatment for another form of cancer) earlier in their lives have a greatly increased risk of breast cancer.

Some pregnant women were given the drug DES (diethylstilbestrol) because it was believed it would reduce their chances of losing the baby. Recent studies have shown that these women (and their daughters exposed to DES in utero) have a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer. The use of alcohol is clearly linked to a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer. Women who drink 1 glass a day have a very small increased risk. Those who drink 2 to 5 glasses a day are about 1½ times more at risk than women who don’t drink alcohol. The American Cancer Society suggests limiting the amount you drink. Being overweight is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, especially for women after life changes and if the weight gain occurred during adulthood. Also, the risk seems to be higher if the extra fat is located in the waist area. Breastfeeding and pregnancy: Some studies have shown that breastfeeding slightly lowers the risk of breast cancer, especially if breastfeeding lasts 1½ to 2 years. This may be because breastfeeding decreases a woman’s total number of menstrual periods, just like pregnancy does. Women who started menstruating early (before age 12) or who experienced a change of life (menopause) after age 55 have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.

Breast cancer symptoms

1. Chunks.

2.Result.

3. Chest pain.

4. Cysts.

5. Nipple discharge.

6. Inverted nipple.

Treatment of breast cancer

1. Hormonal therapy (with tamoxifen).

2. Chemotherapy.

3. Radiotherapy.

4. Surgery.

Breast Cancer – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

World News,Next Big Thing in Public Knowledg