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Breast cancer is the abnormal growth
and uncontrolled division of cells
in the breast. Cancer cells can invade
and destroy surrounding normal tissue,
and can spread throughout the body
via blood or lymph fluid (clear fluid
bathing body cells) to start a new
cancer in another part of the body.
Every woman is at risk for breast
cancer. As a woman ages, her risk
of developing breast cancer rises
dramatically regardless of her family
history.
What causes breast cancer?
There are a number of risk factors
for the development of breast cancer
including:
- Family history of breast cancer in
mother or sister
- Early onset of menstruation
and late menopause
- Reproductive history: women who
had no children or have children late
in life and women who have never breastfed
have increased risk
- History of abnormal breast biopsies.
However, more than 70% of women
who get breast cancer have no known
risk factors.
What are the likely
symptoms of breast cancer?
The likely symptoms of breast cancer
include:
A change in how the breast or
nipple feels
- A lump or thickening in or near
the breast or in the underarm
area
- Nipple tenderness
A change in how the breast or nipple
looks
- A change in the size or shape
of the breast
- The nipple is turned inward
into the breast
- The skin of the breast, areola,
or nipple may be scaly, red, or
swollen. It may have ridges or
pitting so that it looks like
the skin of an orange.
- Nipple discharge (fluid)
How does one prevent
breast cancer?
While breast cancer can't be prevented,
it can be diagnosed from a mammogram
at an early stage when it is most
treatable. Mammography remains the
best way of detecting signs of breast
cancer. A baseline mammogram should
be done by age 35, so that a normal
x ray can be used to compare future
mammograms, even when there is no
reason to believe there is a lump
or cyst. In addition, women should
check their own breasts at the same
time each month.
What medications
are used to treat breast cancer?
Some of the medications prescribed
for breast cancer include
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