Breast

What is Breast Cancer?

The breast is made up of glands called lobules that can make milk and thin tubes called ducts that carry the milk from the lobules to the nipple. Breast tissue also contains fat and connective tissue, lymph nodes, and blood vessels.

The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the cells of the ducts. Breast cancer can also begin in the cells of the lobules and in other tissues in the breast. Invasive breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread from where it began in the ducts or lobules to surrounding tissue.

In the U.S., breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer. It can occur in both men and women, but it is very rare in men. Each year there are about 2,300 new cases of breast cancer in men and about 230,000 new cases in women.

 

Overall, the death rate from breast cancer has dropped steadily over the past 20 years. The 5-year survival rate after a breast cancer diagnosis is currently 89.4%.

Screening & Early Detection

Screening, or checking the breasts for cancer before there are signs or symptoms of the disease, is essential since early detection can increase the chances of surviving the illness. A clinical breast exam and a mammogram are several tests that are used to check for breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, women in their 20s should be aware that there are benefits and limitations of breast self-exam (BSE). It is important for women to know how their breasts normally look and feel, reporting any new breast changes to a health professional as soon as they are found.

Some people are at higher risk for developing breast cancer, especially those with a family history of breast cancer. Some other risk factors include being overweight, lack of daily exercise, the use of alcohol, long-term use of hormone replacement therapy and getting older. However, you can lower your risk by getting screened regularly and living a healthy lifestyle. Remember, early detection is key!

When should I get a mammogram?

These guidelines are for women at average risk for breast cancer.

Women ages 40 to 44 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms if they wish to do so. The risks of screening as well as the potential benefits should be considered.

Women age 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.

Women age 55 and older should switch to mammograms every 2 years, or have the choice to continue yearly screening.

Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 more years or longer.

All women should be familiar with the known benefits, limitations, and potential harms associated with breast cancer screening. They should also be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel and report any changes to a health care provider right away.

These recommendations are from the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org

How to perform a breast self-exam: Visit this website

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Further information may be obtained by going to the following websites:

National Cancer Institute 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

American Cancer Society 

National Institute of Health (NIH)