#BREAST #CANCER: #SCREENING is the START of a CURE

 

The normal breast

A woman's breast is made up of glands (called lobules) that make breast milk, ducts (small tubes that carry milk from the lobules to the nipple), fatty and connective tissue, blood vessels, and lymph (pronounced limf) vessels. Most breast cancers begin in the cells that line the ducts (ductal cancer), some begin in the lobules (lobular cancer), and a small number start in other tissues.

 

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a malignant (cancer) tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. It is found mostly in women, but men can get breast cancer, too. Here we will only talk about breast cancer in women.

The lymph system of the breast

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped groups of immune system cells (cells that fight infections) that are connected by lymphatic vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph (instead of blood) away from the breast. Breast cancer cells can enter lymphatic vessels and begin to grow in lymph nodes. Most lymph vessels of the breast lead to lymph nodes under the arm. These are called axillary nodes.

Benign breast lumps

Most breast lumps are benign (not cancer). Benign breast tumors are abnormal growths, but do not spread outside of the breast and they are not life threatening. But some benign breast lumps can increase a woman's risk of getting breast cancer. Most lumps are caused by the combination of cysts and fibrosis (what is sometimes called fibrocystic changes). Cysts are fluid-filled sacs. Fibrosis is the formation of scar- like tissue. These changes can cause breast swelling and pain. These symptoms are often worse just before a woman's period is about to start.

Risk Factors you CANNOT change

While men also get the disease, it is about 100 times more common in women than in men.

Age: Getting breast cancer goes up as a woman gets older. About 2 of 3 women with invasive breast cancer are 55 or older when the cancer is found.

Genetic: The most common are BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes which increase the risk by up to 80%.  

Family history: Risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease either mother, sister, or daughter about doubles a woman’s risk.

History of breast cancer: Woman with cancer in one breast has a greater chance of getting a new cancer.

Race: White women are more likely to get breast cancer than black African women. African women, though, are more likely to die of breast cancer.

Dense breast tissue: Dense breast tissue means there is more gland tissue and less fatty tissue. Women with denser breast tissue have a higher risk of breast cancer.

Certain benign (not cancer) breast problems: Women who have certain benign breast changes may have an increased risk of breast cancer.

Lobular carcinoma in situ: In this condition, cells that look like cancer cells are in the milk-making glands (lobules), but they do not grow through the wall of the lobules and cannot spread to other parts of the body. Women with lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) have a 7 to 11 times greater risk of developing cancer.

Menstrual periods: Women who began having periods early (before age 12) or who went through the change of life (menopause) after the age of 55 have a slightly increased risk.

Breast radiation early in life: Women who have had radiation treatment to the chest area (as treatment for another cancer) earlier in life have a greatly increased risk of breast cancer.

Treatment with DES: In the past, some pregnant women were given the drug DES (diethylstilbestrol) because it was thought to lower their chances of losing the baby (miscarriage).

 

Risk factors you CAN change

Not having children or having them later: No having children, or having first child after age 30, has a slightly higher risk.

Recent use of birth control pills: Women who are using birth control pills have a slightly greater risk

Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA or Depo-Provera®) injection given every 3 months for birth control. Risk reduced if this drug was stopped more than 5 years ago.

Post-menopausal hormone therapy (PHT): This is to help relieve symptoms of menopause and to help prevent thinning of the bones (osteoporosis).

Not breastfeeding: Breastfeeding slightly lowers breast cancer risk, especially if the breastfeeding lasts 1½ to 2 years.

Alcohol: Alcohol is clearly linked to an increased risk of getting breast cancer.

Being overweight or obese: Being overweight or obese after menopause (or because of weight gain that took place as an adult) is linked to a higher risk.

Lack of exercise: Exercise reduces breast cancer risk.

 

SCREENING and PREVENTION

Women age 20 to 40 should:

•Be familiar with how your breasts normally feel and report any changes right away. Talk to your doctor about how to do a monthly breast self-exam (BSE).

•Women in their 20s and 30s should have a breast exam by their doctor at least every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam done by a doctor every year.

Age 40 and over a woman should:

•Report any changes you notice in your breasts.

•Have your doctor examine your breasts every year.

• Have a mammogram every year.