Breast Cancer
Breast cancer information such as how many people get breast cancer, what is breast cancer, risk factors of breast cancer and screening recommendations.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, other than skin cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer. According to American Cancer Society 212,920 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and 40,970 women will die from breast cancer in 2006. Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts from cells of the breast. The disease occurs mostly in women, but men can get it too. A woman's breast is made up of lobules (glands that make breast milk), ducts (small tubes that connect lobules to the nipple), fatty and connective tissue, blood vessels, and lymph ("limf") vessels. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts (ductal), some in the lobules (lobular), and the rest in other tissues.
Breast Cancer Risk Factors
It is not known what exactly causes breast cancer, but certain risk factors increase a person's chance of getting the disease. This does not mean the person will get the disease nor does it mean people without specific risk factors will not get the disease. It only means there is an increased chance.
Breast Cancer Risk Factors:
- Female Gender (about 100 times more common in women than men)
- Age (nearly 8 out of 10 breast cancers are found in women over 50)
- Genetic Risk Factors
- Family History
- Personal History of Breast Cancer
- Race (white women have a slightly higher incidence while black women have a higher mortality)
- Earlier Abnormal Breast Biopsy
- Earlier Breast Radiation
- Menstrual Periods (women with periods before 12 or menopause over 55)
- Treatment with DES (diethylstilbestrol lowers chances of losing the baby during pregnancy)
- Not Having Children/First Child Over Age 30 (breast feeding may lower risk of breast cancer)
- Birth Control Pills
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Alcohol
- Diet/Exercise
Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations
The earlier breast cancer is found the better chance treatment will be successful. It is recommended that all women over age 40 should have a mammogram and clinical breast exam every year. Women under 40 should receive regular clinical breast exams as well. The most important thing is to talk to your doctor immediately if you notice any changes in your breast. Changes such as a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or the nipple turning inward, redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a discharge other than breast milk should be reported to your doctor. Many times they are not a result of cancer, but should be checked by a healthcare professional. Women at high risk should speak to their doctors about earlier screening, tests and more frequent exams.
Information gathered 10-21-04. Revised statistics on 10-03-06.