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Causes
and Risk Factors
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Symptoms
Breast
Cancer
Breast Cancer,
also known as carcinoma of the breast, is a malignant form
of cancer that develops in breast tissue. The most common
type of breast cancer begins in the lining of the ducts and
is called ductal carcinoma. Another type, called lobular
carcinoma, arises in the lobules. For most types of breast
cancer the cause is unknown.
Causes
and Risk Factors
Recently two
genes, BRC1 and BRC2 have been implicated in a familial type
of breast cancer. A number of other predisposing factors
have been identified including obesity, early menarche, and
delayed or absent child bearing. Breast cancer may occur in
men as well as women, but is much more common in women.
Statistics show that one in 8 or 9 American women will
develop breast cancer at some point in life, based on full
life expectancy.
The risk increases exponentially after age 30. The average
age of women diagnosed with breast cancer is 60 years. In
general, the rate of breast cancer is lower in
underdeveloped countries and higher in more affluent
countries (with the exception of Japan where the rate is
quite low). In the U.S., whites (especially those of
northern European descent) have a higher incidence compared
to non-whites. However, the incidence in non-whites,
specifically blacks, is increasing, particularly in women
under age 60.
Other risk factors include having a family history of breast
cancer, particularly in mother or siblings; a past medical
history of breast cancer , ovarian cancer, uterine cancer,
or colon cancer; early menarche (start of menstruation
before age 12) and/or late menopause (after age 55); no
pregnancies or a first pregnancy after age 30; and radiation
exposure. Post-menopausal estrogen therapy and oral
contraceptive use (such as estrogens and progestin oral
contraceptives) were considered possible risk factors, but
the majority of recent studies do not confirm such risk.
Research suggests that a person's diet may affect the
chances of getting some types of cancer. Breast cancer
appears to be more likely to develop in women whose diet is
very high in fat. Older women who are overweight also seem
to have a greater risk. Some scientists believe that a
low-fat diet, eating well-balanced meals with plenty of
fruits and vegetables, and maintaining ideal weight can
lower a woman's risk.
There are also studies that suggest a slightly higher risk
of breast cancer among women who drink alcohol. The risk
appears to go up with the amount of alcohol consumed, so
women who drink should do so in moderation.
The possible link between diet and breast cancer is still
under study.
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Prevention
Most of the
associated risk factors cannot be controlled, therefore
eliminating a means of primary prevention. However,
secondary prevention, early detection, and appropriate
treatment early in the disease process, may be promoted
through routine breast self-exam beginning around age 20 and
screening mammography after age 40. Additionally, current
research studies are evaluating the effectiveness of the
drug tamoxifen in preventing breast cancer in women with a
family history of the disease. Currently, tamoxifen is used
to treat people with breast cancer.
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Symptoms
Symptoms can include:
- breast lump or breast mass
noted upon breast self exam
- usually painless, firm
to hard, with irregular borders
- lump or mass in the armpit
- a change in the size or
shape of the breast
- nipple discharge, abnormal
- usually bloody or
clear-to-yellow fluid
- may look like pus
(purulent)
- change in the color or
feel of the skin of the breast, nipple, or areola
- dimpled, puckered, or
scaly
- retraction,
"orange peel" appearance
- redness
- accentuated veins on
breast surface
- eventually (with late
disease) skin ulceration
- change in appearance or
sensation of the nipple
- pulled in
(retraction), enlargement or itching
- breast discomfort on one
side only
- breast enlargement on one
side only
- bone pain
- weight loss
- swelling of arm
- breast pain
- breast development in
males
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