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Breast
cancer
is a malignant or cancerous tumor that affects the breast. Breast
cancer is most fr equently
diagnosed in women; however, men can also be diagnosed.
It is not clear what the cause of
breast cancer is, however, there are certain risk factors that can increase
the chances of developing breast cancer. Risk factors can be separated into
two groups: those risk factors which cannot be changed and the risk factors
and lifestyles which can be changed.
The following is a list of risk factors
for breast cancer which cannot be changed:
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Gender
- Being a woman is an automatic risk factor for
breast cancer.
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Age - Increasing age puts one more at risk for breast
cancer.
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Family History - A family history of breast cancer
increases the risk of breast cancer.
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Genetic Links -
Inheriting breast cancer specific genes increases ones risk of developing
breast cancer.
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Personal History of
Breast Cancer - A previous diagnosis of breast cancer increases the risk
of developing new cancer in the other breast.
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Race - White women are more prone to breast cancer,
while African American women are more apt to die of breast cancer.
Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian Women are less likely to develop breast
cancer.
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Menstrual Periods
- Women who started their periods
before 12 years of age or women who go through menopause after the age of 50
have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.
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Previous Treatment with DES.
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Previous radiation treatment to the chest
area.
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The following is a list of risk factors
and lifestyles which can increase ones risk for breast cancer:
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Childbearing -
Women who do not have children or who have children after the age of 30 have
an increased risk of breast cancer.
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Hormone
Replacement Therapy (HRT) - Prolonged use of
combined HRT, using both estrogen and progesterone, may increase one's risk
of developing breast cancer.
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Alcohol -
Consumption of alcohol is associated with an increase risk of breast cancer.
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Weight - Being
overweight increases ones risk of developing breast cancer.
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Making
lifestyle modifications can help to reduce your risk of developing breast
cancer and any other form of cancer.
Early
detection is the key to breast cancer. Early detection is thought to be the
sole reason for a decrease in the amount of women dying of breast cancer.
Screening tools used to detect breast cancer include mammography, self
breast exams, and clinical breast exams; a combination of these three
activities aid in diagnosing breast cancer early on. The American Cancer
Society suggests the following guidelines for the early detection of breast
cancer:
American
Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer***
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Mammogram
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Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year, and should
continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.
While mammograms can miss some cancers, they are still a very good way
to find breast cancer. |
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Clinical breast exam (CBE) |
Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast examination (CBE)
as part of a regular exam by a health expert preferably every 3 years.
After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health expert every
year. There may be some benefit in having the CBE shortly before the
mammogram. You can use the exam to learn what your own breasts feel
like. |
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Breast self-examination (BSE) |
Women should report any change in their breasts to their doctor right
away. BSE is a way for women (starting in their 20s) to find changes in
their breasts.
If
you decide to do BSE (and it’s OK not to do it), you should ask your
doctor to watch you do it during your regular physical exam.
If
you do BSE on a regular basis, you get to know how your breasts normally
feel. Then you can more easily notice changes. You should see your
doctor right away if you notice any of these changes:
A
lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or the nipple
turning inward, redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a
discharge other than breast milk. But remember that most of the time
these breast changes are not cancer. |
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