Breast cancer is a disease in which cancer cells grow in the breast tissue.
Cancer occurs when cells in the body divide without control or order. If cells keep dividing uncontrollably, a mass of tissue forms. This is called a growth or tumor. The term cancer refers to malignant tumors. They can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
Although most people think of breast cancer as affecting women, men can develop breast cancer as well. Breast cancer in men can be more aggressive.
The cause of breast cancer is unknown. Research shows that certain risk factors are associated with the disease.
Factors that increase your risk for breast cancer include:
Note: Studies show that most women with known risk factors do not get breast cancer. Many women who get breast cancer have none of the risk factors listed above except age.
When breast cancer first develops, there may be no symptoms at all. But as the cancer grows, it can cause the following changes:
Note: These symptoms may also be caused by other, less serious health conditions. Anyone experiencing these should see a doctor.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Tests may include:
Once breast cancer is found, staging tests are done. This will help to find out if the cancer has spread and, if so, to what extent.
Treatments include:
This is the use of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Two main types of radiation may be used:
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. It may be given in many forms including pill, injection, and via a catheter. The drugs enter the bloodstream. They travel through the body killing mostly cancer cells. Some healthy cells are killed as well.
Biologic therapy is the use of medicines or substances made by the body. They can increase or restore the body's natural defenses against cancer. It is also called biologic response modifier (BRM) therapy.
Hormonal therapy is designed to take advantage of the fact that many breast cancers are "estrogen sensitive." Estrogen binds to the "estrogen sensitive" cells and stimulates them to grow and divide. Anti-estrogen drugs prevent the binding of estrogen. This stops the cells from growing and, in doing so, prevents or delays breast cancer recurrence.
Finding breast cancer early and treating it is the best way to prevent death from the disease. Breast cancer does not cause symptoms in the early stages. It is important to have screening exams and tests. These steps can help to find the cancer before symptoms appear. The following recommendations are for women with no symptoms who are not high risk for breast cancer:
If you have an increased risk of breast cancer, you may need to start having mammograms earlier. You and your doctor can decide on the best screening schedule for you.
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
http://www.cbcf.org/
Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca/
References:
Badash M. Other treatments for breast cancer. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81 . Updated September 2009. Accessed September 30, 2009.
Breast cancer screening: research and guidelines. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81 . Updated November 2009. Accessed January 19, 2010.
Cancer of the female breast. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://seer.cancer.gov/publications/survival/surv_breast.pdf . Accessed July 11, 2008.
Learn about breast cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/LRN/LRN_0.asp?dt=5 . Accessed July 11, 2008.
12/21/2006 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Moss SM, Cuckle H, Evans A, Johns L, Waller M, Bobrow L; Trial Management Group. Effect of mammographic screening from age 40 years on breast cancer mortality at 10 years' follow-up: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet . 2006;368:2053-2060.
1/19/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Lee C, Dershaw D, Kopans D, et al. Breast cancer screening with imaging: recommendations from the Society of Breast Imaging and the ACR on the use of mammography, breast MRI, breast ultrasound, and other technologies for the detection of clinically occult breast cancer. J Am Coll Radiol. 2010;7(1):18.
Last reviewed September 2009 by Mohei Abouzied, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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