how does breast cancer develop?

Dear Anon, I concur with Tina, this is a great question and one that continous to puzzle the medical community and researchers. The precise cause of breast cancer is unknown and most cases of breast cancer occur in women who are NOT classified as high risk.

Genetic-triggered breast cancer only accounts for 5 to 10% of the cases. These are considered cases where defects in one of several genes, especially BRCA1 or BRCA2 increase the chances of developing breast, ovarian and colon cancers. Some genetic mutations may be due to radiation exposure, for example, women treated with chest radiation therapy during childhood are known to have a significantly higher incidence of breast cancer than women not exposed to radiation. Some mutations have also been linked to exposure to cancer-causing chemicals, such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in tobacco and charred red meats. Estrogen and poor diet are also suspects to cause breast cancer.

Breast cancer may develop undetected first but eventually there will be some common signs and symptoms like a lump in the breast that feels distinctly different from other breast tissue or that does not go away, swelling of the breast that does not go away, thickening of breast tissue, dimpling or pulling of the skin on the breast which may then resemble the skin of an orange, any change in the breast shape or contour, nipple discharge, retraction of the nipple, scaliness of the nipple, pain or tenderness of the breast, and swollen bumps or puss-filled sores.

Prevention, routine breast exams and mammograms should be considered as part of any wellness plan regarless of breast cancer family history!

Hey anonymous, great question. According to EmpowHer's encyclopedia,
"Breast cancer can develop in different ways and may affect different parts of the breast. The location of cancer will affect the progression of cancer and the treatment.

Most breast cancers are carcinomas—malignant tumors that grow out of the surface or lining of the glandular tissue of the breast. Other very rare types of breast cancer are formed in the surrounding and supporting tissues, and your doctor may call these sarcomas, acinar tumors, or lymphomas.

Breast cancer is divided mainly into the pre-invasive or “in-situ” form, or the invasive or infiltrating form. The pre-invasive form is restricted to the breast itself and has not yet invaded any of the lymphatics or blood vessels that surround the breast tissue. Therefore, it does not spread to lymph nodes or other organs in the body. Treatments are generally local only and a cure is a reality for almost all patients."

If you would like more information, visit this link.