|
|
|
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in this country (other than skin cancer). The number of new cases of breast cancer in women was estimated to be about 212,600 in 2003.
Breast Cancer happens when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control enabling them to invade nearby tissues or even spread through the body. Sizable collections of the out of control tissue are called tumors. Not all Brest Tumors are considered to be cancer because certain types of large cell collections cannot spread or threaten a person's life.
The preceding type of tumor is called a benign tumor. The tumors that can spread throughout the body or invade nearby tissues are considered to be cancerous cells and are called malignant tumors. In theory, any of the types of tissue in the breast can form cancer cells, but usually cancer comes from either ducts or glands in the breast.
Because it may take months or years for a tumor to get large enough to notice in the breast, we screen for tumors with mammograms, which can sometimes see disease before we can feel it
The breasts are glands that can make milk. Each breast sits on chest muscles that cover the ribs. Breast cancer begins in cells in the breasts when new cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.
Not all tumors are cancer. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors are not cancer, and are rarely life-threatening. Malignant tumors are cancer, and malignant tumors generally are more serious than benign tumors. They may be life-threatening. Malignant breast cancer tumors often can be removed, but they can grow back. No one knows the exact causes of breast cancer. Doctors can seldom explain why one woman gets breast cancer and another does not. Doctors do know that bumping, bruising, or touching the breast does not cause breast cancer. And breast cancer is not contagious. No one can "catch" this disease from another person.
Breast cancer can cause changes that women should watch for including a change in how the breast or nipple feels, a lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area, or a change in the size or shape of the breast. If a woman has a breast change, her doctor must determine whether it is due to breast cancer or some other cause.
Women with breast cancer have many treatment options. These include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, and biological therapy. Many women receive more than one type of treatment for breast cancer. In addition, at any stage of disease, women with breast cancer may have treatment to control pain and other symptoms of the cancer, to relieve the side effects of treatment, and to ease emotional problems. As always, the diagnosis and advice of a doctor are recommended for anyone concerned about breast cancer