BREAST CANCER, SYMPTOM AND CAUSES Part1

DEFINITION

Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts.

After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it's far more common in women.

Public support for breast cancer awareness and research funding has helped improve the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Breast cancer survival rates have increased, and the number of deaths has been declining, thanks to a number of factors such as earlier detection, new treatments and a better understanding of the disease.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER MAY INCLUDE:

·         A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue

·         Bloody discharge from the nipple

·         Change in the size or shape of a breast

·         Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling

·         Inverted nipple

·         Peeling, scaling or flaking of the nipple or breast skin

·         Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange

When to see a doctor

If you find a lump or other change in your breast — even if a recent mammogram was normal — make an appointment with your doctor.

It's not clear what causes breast cancer. Doctors know that breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin growing abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and continue to accumulate, forming a lump or mass. The cells may spread (metastasize) through your breast to your lymph nodes or to other parts of your body.

Breast cancer most often begins with cells in the milk-producing ducts (invasive ductal carcinoma). Breast cancer may also begin in the glandular tissue called lobules (invasive lobular carcinoma) or in other cells within the breast.

Researchers have identified things that can increase your risk of breast cancer. But it's not clear why some people who have no risk factors develop cancer, yet other people with risk factors never do. It's likely that breast cancer is caused by a complex interaction of your genetic makeup and your environment.

INHERITED BREAST CANCER

Doctors estimate that only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are linked to gene mutations passed through generations of a family. A number of inherited mutated genes that can increase the likelihood of breast cancer have been identified. The most common are breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2), both of which increase the risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.

If you have a strong family history of breast cancer or other cancers, blood tests may help identify mutations in BRCA or other genes that are being passed through your family.

Consider asking your doctor for a referral to a genetic counselor, who can review your family health history. A genetic counselor can also discuss the benefits, risks and limitations of genetic testing with you.

A breast cancer risk factor is anything that makes it more likely you'll get breast cancer. But having one or even several breast cancer risk factors doesn't necessarily mean you'll develop breast cancer. Many women who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors other than simply being women.

Factors that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer include:

·         Being female. Women are much more likely than men are to develop breast cancer.

·         Increasing age. Your risk of breast cancer increases as you age.

·         A personal history of breast cancer. If you've had breast cancer in one breast, you have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other breast.

·         A family history of breast cancer. If your mother, sister or daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly at a young age, your risk of breast cancer is increased. Still, the majority of people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.

·         Inherited genes that increase cancer risk. Certain gene mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer can be passed from parents to children. The most common gene mutations are referred to as BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes can greatly increase your risk of breast cancer and other cancers, but they don't make cancer inevitable.

·         Radiation exposure. If you received radiation treatments to your chest as a child or young adult, your risk of breast cancer is increased.

·         Obesity. Being obese increases your risk of breast cancer.

·         Beginning your period at a younger age. Beginning your period before age 12 increases your risk of breast cancer.

·         Beginning menopause at an older age. If you began menopause at an older age, you're more likely to develop breast cancer.

·         Having your first child at an older age. Women who give birth to their first child after age 35 may have an increased risk of breast cancer.

·         Having never been pregnant. Women who have never been pregnant have a greater risk of breast cancer than do women who have had one or more pregnancies.

·         Postmenopausal hormone therapy. Women who take hormone therapy medications that combine estrogen and progesterone to treat the signs and symptoms of menopause have an increased risk of breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer decreases when women stop taking these medications.

·         Drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.

Women with breast cancer may have appointments with their primary care doctors, as well as several other doctors and other health professionals, including:

·         Breast health specialists

·         Breast surgeons

·         Doctors who specialize in diagnostic tests, such as mammograms (radiologists)

·         Doctors who specialize in treating cancer (oncologists)

·         Doctors who treat cancer with radiation (radiation oncologists)

·         Genetic counselors

·         Plastic surgeons

What you can do to prepare

·         Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.

·         Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.

·         Write down your family history of cancer. Note any family members who have had cancer, including how each member is related to you, the type of cancer, the age at diagnosis and whether each person survived.

·         Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that you're taking.

·         Keep all of your records that relate to your cancer diagnosis and treatment. Organize your records in a binder or folder that you can take to your appointments.

·         Consider taking a family member or friend along.Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.

·         Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Questions to ask your doctor

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For breast cancer, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

·         What type of breast cancer do I have?

·         What is the stage of my cancer?

·         Can you explain my pathology report to me? Can I have a copy for my records?

·         Do I need any more tests?

·         What treatment options are available for me?

·         What are the benefits from each treatment you recommend?

·         What are the side effects of each treatment option?

·         Will treatment cause menopause?

·         How will each treatment affect my daily life? Can I continue working?

·         Is there one treatment you recommend over the others?

·         How do you know that these treatments will benefit me?

·         What would you recommend to a friend or family member in my situation?

·         How quickly do I need to make a decision about cancer treatment?

·         What happens if I don't want cancer treatment?

·         What will cancer treatment cost?

·         Does my insurance plan cover the tests and treatment you're recommending?

·         Should I seek a second opinion? Will my insurance cover it?

·         Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites or books do you recommend?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask additional questions that may occur to you during your appointment.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR DOCTOR

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may allow time later to cover other points you want to address. Your doctor may ask:

·         When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?

·         Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?

·         How severe are your symptoms?

·         What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?

·         What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?