Facts You Should Know About Breast Cancer

A free article on Science

Though men are not immune, cancer that strikes the breast is commonly a concern of women. Between the chest wall and skin lies a collection of fatty tissues and glands which compose the breast. Inside a womans breast, these glands produce milk after the birth of a baby. Each milk gland is composed of 1520 lobes. The milk is then delivered to the nipple by way of special tubes, referred to as ducts. The size of the ducts and glands enlarge as the breast fills with milk. The main factor determining the size and shape of the breast is fatty tissue. Tumors, which can sometimes grow in the breast, have the potential of being cancerous.

Abnormal cells, growing at an out of control rate, are the building blocks of a cancerous tumor. Noncancerous (benign) tumors are incapable of spreading through the body. Cancerous tumors are also referred to as malignant and capable of spreading throughout the body. Breast cancer is diagnosed when malignant (cancerous) tumors are found in the breast. Breast cancers normally begin in the ducts or glands; but they are capable of developing in other regions of the breast. European and North American women receive a diagnosis of breast cancer more than any other form of cancer. 200,000+ cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year. Though second in death rates among American women (lung cancer being first), a diagnosis of breast cancer is still very dangerous.

Keep in mind, just because breast cancer is serious, there are many who survive it. Even though a womans chances of developing breast cancer are 1 in 8, her chances of dying from it are 1 in 28. A womans great risk factor for breast cancer is her age. A womans risk for breast cancer increases through the years. A woman who started menstruating at a young age has an increased risk.Other factors also figure in, such as her age at the time of her first pregnancy; a history of breast cancer in her family and BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations 310% of breast cancers are related to gene mutations, so if a woman knows there is breast cancer in her family, she is advised to undergo genetic testing as a precaution. A woman can help reduce her risk of breast cancer if she will maintain a healthy weight, limit her alcohol consumption to no more than five drinks per week and exercise regularly. Additional ideas that are thought to help include: bearing a child prior to age 30 and breastfeed the baby, and avoid longterm use of hormone replacement at menopause. Finally, any woman with a high risk of developing breast cancer might consider discussing with her doctor the use of a drug called Tamoxifen. By using this drug for a period of five years, it has been shown a woman stands a chance of reducing her risk of developing a tumor by 50%.

A womans chances of surviving and curing breast cancer greatly increase with early detection. Chances of early detection are greatly increased through the use of selfexams, clinical exams and mammograms. {{{Between the ages of 2039, a woman should undergo a clinical exam every three years. | A woman between the ages of 20 and 39 is advised to undergo a clinical exam once every three years. | A clinical exam should be part of a womans health care every three years between the ages of 20 and 39. | Between the ages of 2039, women are advised to have a clinical exam once every three years

Information about the Author: Check out ecanceranswer.net for all various types of Cancer information from Cancer Signs to ecanceranswers.net/cancer_risk_factors.php">Cancer Risks and ecanceranswers.net/treatment_and_diagnosis.php">Cancer Prevention. Science Articles: http://www.article-buzz.com

Print This Article Add To Favorites Email to Friends Get Re-print Code

Click the XML Icon for 'Science' Articles RSS feed