What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast.

Facts about Breast Cancer in the United States

One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.
Each year it is estimated that over 246,660 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer
and more than 40,000 will die.
Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and
approximately 440 will die each year.
On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and 1 woman will die of breast cancer
every 13 minutes.
Over 2.8 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the United States today.

Good News About Breast Cancer Trends

In recent years, perhaps coinciding with the decline in prescriptive hormone replacement therapy after
menopause, we have seen a gradual reduction in female breast cancer incidence rates among women aged 50
and older. Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1990, in part due to better
screening and early detection, increased awareness, and continually improving treatment options.
Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola. Men carry a higher
mortality than women do, primarily because awareness among men is less and they are less likely to assume a
lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment.

Known Risk Factors

Women with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop breast cancer. A risk factor is
something that may increase the chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors (such as drinking alcohol)
can be avoided. But most risk factors (such as having a family history of breast cancer) cant be avoided.
Having a risk factor does not mean that a woman will get breast cancer. Many women who have risk
factors never develop breast cancer.
Causes of Breast Cancer: How did this happen?

When youre told that you have breast cancer, its natural to wonder what may have caused the disease. But no one
knows the exact causes of breast cancer. Doctors seldom know why one woman develops breast cancer and another
doesnt, and most women who have breast cancer will never be able to pinpoint an exact cause. What we do know is that
breast cancer is always caused by damage to a cell's DNA.

Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma

Of the men who develop breast cancer, the vast majority of those cases are Infiltrating Ductal
Carcinoma (IDC), which means cells in or around the ducts begin to invade surrounding tissue.
Very rarely, a man might be diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, or Paget disease, of the

nipple.

Risk Factors
Radiation exposure
High levels of the hormone estrogen
Family history of breast cancer, especially breast cancer that is related to the BRCA2 gene.

Signs & Symptoms

Male breast cancer can exhibit the same symptoms as breast cancer in women, including a
lump. Anyone who notices anything unusual about their breasts, whether male or female,
should contact their physician immediately. Survival rates and treatment for men with breast
cancer are very similar to those for women. Early detection of breast cancer increases treatment
options and often reduces the risk of dying from breast cancer.
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Genetic testing
Although treatment outcomes are very similar to women at the same stage of detection, a man
diagnosed with breast cancer should also consider seeing a genetics counselor for a
consultation. If a man tests positive for a defective gene (most commonly either BRCA1 or
BRCA2) that can lead to a future diagnosis of breast cancer and his children have a 50% chance
of carrying the gene. In addition:
A male child of a man with breast cancer who inherits the defective BRCA2 gene has only
approximately 6% chance of eventually developing breast cancer and just over 1% with
BRCA1.
A female child of a man with breast cancer who inherits the defective gene has a risk
between 40% and 80% of eventually developing breast cancer.
Men with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer are also at higher risk of getting prostate
cancer at a younger age than usually diagnosed.
BRCA2 and BRCA2 (/brktu/[3]) are a human gene and its protein product, respectively.
The official symbol (BRCA2, italic for the gene, nonitalic for the protein) and the official name
(breast cancer 2) are maintained by the HGNC. One alternative symbol, FANCD1, recognizes
its association with the FANC protein complex. Orthologs, styled Brca2 and Brca2, are
common in other mammal species.[4] BRCA2 is a human tumor suppressor gene[5][6]
(specifically, a caretaker gene), found in all humans; its protein, also called by the synonym
breast cancer type 2 susceptibility protein, is responsible for repairing DNA.[7]
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Signs and symptoms of breast cancer include:
a lump in the breast the most common first sign
The woman usually finds the lump.
Sometimes the lump is seen on a screening mammogram before it can be felt.
The lump is present all the time and does not get smaller or go away with the menstrual cycle.

The lump may feel like it is attached to the skin or chest wall and cannot be moved.
The lump may feel hard, irregular in shape and very different from the rest of the breast tissue.
The lump may be tender, but it is usually not painful.
Pain is more often a symptom of a non-cancerous (benign) condition, but should be checked by a doctor.
a lump in the armpit (axilla)
Sometimes small, hard lumps in the armpit may be a sign that breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
Although these lumps are often painless, they may be tender.
changes in breast shape or size
skin changes
The skin of the breast may become dimpled or puckered. A thickening and dimpling of the skin is sometimes
called orange peel skin, or peau dorange.
Redness, swelling and increased warmth (signs that look like an infection) may be a sign of inflammatory breast
cancer.
Itching of the breast or nipple may be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer.
Itchiness is often not relieved by ointments, creams or other medications.
nipple changes
Some peoples nipples are always pointed inward (inverted). Normal nipples that suddenly become inverted
should be checked by a doctor.
Discharge from the nipples can be caused by many conditions, most of which are non-cancerous (benign).
Discharge from one nipple may be a sign of breast cancer, especially if it appears without squeezing the nipple
(is spontaneous) and is blood-stained.
Crusting, ulcers or scaling on the nipple may be a sign of some rare types of breast cancer, such as Paget disease
of the nipple.

Late signs and symptoms

Late signs and symptoms occur as the cancer grows larger or spreads to other parts of the body, including other
organs.
bone pain
nausea
loss of appetite
weight loss
jaundice jaundiceA condition in which the skin and whites of the eyes become yellow and urine is dark yellow.
buildup of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion)
shortness of breath
cough
headache
double vision
muscle weakness

A tumor is a mass of abnormal tissue. There are two types of breast cancer tumors: those that are noncancerous, or benign, and those that are cancerous, which are malignant.

Benign Tumors
When a tumor is diagnosed as benign, doctors will usually leave it alone rather than remove it. Even though
these tumors are not generally aggressive toward surrounding tissue, occasionally they may continue to grow,
pressing on organs and causing pain or other problems. In these situations, the tumor is removed, allowing pain
or complications to subside.

Malignant tumors
Malignant tumors are cancerous and aggressive because they invade and damage surrounding tissue. When a
tumor is suspected to be malignant, the doctor will perform a biopsy to determine the severity or aggressiveness
of the tumor.

Metastatic cancer
Metastatic cancer is when cancer cells of a malignant tumor spread to other parts of the body, usually through
the lymph system, and form a secondary tumor.

Self Exam Steps

Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your
arms on your hips.
Here's what you should look for:
Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color
Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling
If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:
Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking
out)
Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling
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Breast Self-Exam Step 1
Larger Version
Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.
Step 3: While you're at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples
(this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).
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Breast Self-Exam Steps 2 and 3
Larger Version
Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast
and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few

finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the
size of a quarter.Error: Reference source not found
Breast Self-Exam Step 4
Larger Version
Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the
easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step
in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in step 4.
1. Keep Weight in Check
Its easy to tune out because it gets said so often, but maintaining a healthy weight is an
important goal for everyone. Being overweight can increase the risk of many different cancers,
including breast cancer, especially after menopause.
2. Be Physically Active
Exercise is as close to a silver bullet for good health as there is, and women who are physically
active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise is also
one of the best ways to help keep weight in check.
3. Eat Your Fruits & Vegetables and Avoid Too Much Alcohol
A healthy diet can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Try to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables
and keep alcohol at moderate levels or lower (a drink a day or under). While moderate drinking
can be good for the heart in older adults, even low levels of intake can increase the risk of
breast cancer. If you dont drink, dont feel you need to start. If you drink moderately, theres
likely no reason to stop. But, if you drink more, you should cut down or quit.
4. Dont Smoke
Smokers and non-smokers alike know how unhealthy smoking is. On top of lowering quality of
life and increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and at least 15 cancers including breast
cancer it also causes smelly breath, bad teeth, and wrinkles. Now thats motivation to stay
smoke-free or work to get smoke-free.
5. Breastfeed, If Possible
Breastfeeding for a total of one year or more (combined for all children) lowers the risk of
breast cancer. It also has great health benefits for the child.
6. Avoid Birth Control Pills, Particularly After Age 35 or If You Smoke
Birth control pills have both risks and benefits. The younger a woman is, the lower the risks are.
While women are taking birth control pills, they have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.
This risk goes away quickly, though, after stopping the pill. The risk of stroke and heart attack
is also increased while on the pill particularly if a woman smokes. However, long-term use
can also have important benefits, like lowering the risk of ovarian cancer, colon cancer and
uterine cancer not to mention unwanted pregnancy so theres also a lot in its favor. If youre
very concerned about breast cancer, avoiding birth control pills is one option to lower risk.
7. Avoid Post-Menopausal Hormones
Post-menopausal hormones shouldnt be taken long term to prevent chronic diseases, like
osteoporosis and heart disease. Studies show they have a mixed effect on health, increasing the
risk of some diseases and lowering the risk of others, and both estrogenonly hormones and
estrogen-plus-progestin hormones increase the risk of breast cancer. If women do take post-

menopausal hormones, it should be for the shortest time possible. The best person to talk to
about the risks and benefits of post-menopausal hormones is your doctor.
8. Tamoxifen and Raloxifene for Women at High Risk
Although not commonly thought of as a healthy
behavior, taking the prescription drugs tamoxifen
and raloxifene can significantly lower the risk of
breast cancer in woman at high risk of the disease.
Approved by the FDA for breast cancer prevention,
these powerful drugs can have side effects, so
they arent right for everyone. If you think youre
at high risk, talk to your doctor to see if tamoxifen or raloxifene may be right for you.