Breast Cancer

About The Disease Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. Risk Factors Older age. Menstruating at an early age. Older age at first birth or never having given birth.

A personal history of breast cancer or benign (noncancer) breast disease. A mother or sister with breast cancer. Treatment with radiation therapy to the breast/chest. Breast tissue that is dense on a mammogram. Hormone use (such as estrogen and progesterone). Drinking alcoholic beverages. Being white rather than Latina, Asian or African American. Genetic Link The genes in cells carry the hereditary information that is received from a person’s parents. Hereditary breast cancer makes up approximately 5 to 10 percent of all breast cancer. Some altered genes related to breast cancer are more common in certain ethnic groups. Women who have an altered gene related to breast cancer and who have had breast cancer in one breast have an increased risk of developing breast cancer in the other breast. These women also have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, and may have an increased risk of developing other cancers. Men who have an altered gene related to breast cancer also have an increased risk of developing this disease. Tests have been developed that can detect altered genes. These genetic tests are sometimes done for members of families with a high risk of cancer. Testing Mammogram: An X-ray of the breast. MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging, which takes place inside a tunnel-like scanner, makes detailed images of the breast with a magnet and radio waves, but without radiation. Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope to check for signs of cancer. If a lump in the breast is found, the doctor may need to cut out a small piece of the lump. A pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells. There are four types of biopsies: Excisional biopsy: Removal of an entire lump or suspicious tissue. Incisional biopsy: Removal of part of a lump or suspicious tissue. Core biopsy: Removal of part of a lump or suspicious tissue using a wide needle. Needle biopsy or fine-needle aspiration biopsy: Removal of part of a lump, suspicious tissue or fluid, using a thin needle. Estrogen and progesterone receptor test: A test to measure the amount of estrogen and progesterone (hormones) receptors in cancer tissue. If cancer is found in the breast, tissue from the tumor is examined in the laboratory to find out whether estrogen and progesterone could affect the way cancer grows. The test results show whether hormone therapy may stop the cancer from growing. Factors Affecting Prognosis The stage of the cancer: whether it is in the breast only or has spread to lymph nodes or other places in the body. The type of breast cancer. Estrogen-receptor and progesterone-receptor levels in the tumor tissue. A woman’s age, general health and menopausal status (whether a woman is still having menstrual periods). Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has come back. [Sources: AP, National Cancer Institute., http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6852960/]