Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S, behind skin cancer. More than 2000,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year and nearly 40,000 women will die annually. Breast cancer originates in the breast tissue, and can invade and grow into the tissue surrounding the breast. It can also spread beyond the breast (metastasis).

The cause of breast cancer is not known, however, certain factors can put women at higher risk. The risk for breast cancer rises, as a woman gets older. Most breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50. Women, with a previous history of breast cancer, are at increased risk to get in their other breast. Family history of breast cancer — a mother sister or daughter with the disease — also increases risk. Other risk factors include the length of time the body is exposed to estrogen, late childbearing age, and previous exposure to radiation through radiation therapy at a young age. Diet and lifestyle, including the consumption of alcohol, are also being investigated as risk factors. At least 1 out of every 8 women in the United States will get breast cancer if she lives long enough.

There are different types of breast tumors, most of them not cancerous (benign). Benign growths do not spread to other parts of the body and are not life threatening.

The most common type of non-invasive breast cancer is ductal carcinoma in situ. This is ductal cancer at its earliest stage (stage 0), before it has spread from its area of origin. The disease is confined to the milk ducts and has not infiltrated the nearby fatty tissue of the breast. It is almost always curable, but can spread if not detected early.

Infiltrating (invasive) ductal carcinoma originates in the milk ducts of the breast and spreads through the wall of the duct to the fatty tissue of the breast. From there it can spread to other parts of the body. This is the most common type of breast cancer, accounting for 80% of cases.

Lobular carcinoma in situ is found confined to the lobules (milk glands) of the breast. It is not a true cancer, but increases a woman’s risk for developing breast cancer later. This makes it extremely important for women with this disease to have an annual mammogram, as well as a clinical breast examination two or three times a year.

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