Breast cancer
- Breast cancer is a pathological formation of gland cells located in the breast.
- After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States
- Breast cancer can occur in both women and men, but is much more common in women.
- Thanks to increased breast awareness and research funding, screening and diagnosis methods and treatment have improved significantly. The probability of survival of breast cancer patients has increased, the number of deaths has decreased All this is the result of early diagnosis, individual treatment and better study of the disease
The exact cause of breast cancer is unknown
It is known that cancer is formed when some cells of the gland begin to grow and develop incorrectly. These cells multiply faster than healthy cells, accumulate, form a clump or mass The cells may spread (metastasize) from the breast to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body
Breast cancer most often forms in the ducts that produce milk (invasive ductal carcinoma). Cancer may also develop in the glandular tissue (invasive lobular carcinoma) or other cells in the breast.
Researchers have identified hormonal, lifestyle and environmental factors that increase the risk of developing breast cancer. However, it is not known why people with none of these risk factors develop cancer or why people with all of the risk factors do not. It is likely that the development of cancer occurs through a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors
Hereditary breast cancer
Doctors estimate that only 5-10% of cancer cases are linked to genetic mutations that run in families.
Several genes associated with high breast cancer risk have been identified The most common are BRCA1 and BRCA2 Both genes significantly increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer
If you have a family history of breast cancer, your doctor may suggest testing for mutations in these or other genes that may have been passed down to you genetically.
You can also ask your doctor to refer you to a geneticist who can review your family history. The geneticist will also explain the benefits, risks and limitations of genetic tests and how to choose the appropriate test.
Possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer include:
- a lump, thickening in the breast that is different from the surrounding tissue
- a bloody discharge from the nipple
- a change in the size, shape, appearance of the breast
- a change in the skin of the breast, such as dimpling
- a nipple
