Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells.
Cancer occurs as a result of mutations, or abnormal changes, in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy.
Breast cancer symptoms vary widely — from lumps to swelling to skin changes — and many breast cancers have no obvious symptoms at all. Symptoms that are similar to those of breast cancer may be the result of non-cancerous conditions like infection or a cyst.
Breast self-exam , or regularly examining your breasts on your own, can be an important way to find a breast cancer early, when it's more likely to be treated successfully. Not every cancer can be found this way, but it is a critical step you can and should take for yourself.
About 20% of the time, breast cancers are found by physical examination rather than by mammography. We recommend that all women routinely perform breast self-exams as part of their overall breast cancer screening strategy.
RISK FACTORS YOU CAN CONTROL:
Weight. Being overweight is associated with increased risk of breast cancer, especially for women after menopause.
Diet. Diet is a suspected risk factor for many types of cancer, including breast cancer.
Exercise. Evidence is growing that exercise can reduce breast cancer risk. The American Cancer Society recommends engaging in 45-60 minutes of physical exercise 5 or more days a week.
Alcohol consumption.
Smoking.
Recent oral contraceptive use.
Stress and anxiety.
RISK FACTORS YOU CAN'T CONTROL:
Gender. Being a woman is the most significant risk factor for developing breast cancer.
Age. Simply growing older is the second biggest risk factor for breast cancer. From age 30 to 39, the risk is 1 in 233, or .43%. That jumps to 1 in 27, or almost 4%, by the time you are in your 60s.
Family history of breast cancer. If you have a first-degree relative (mother, daughter, sister) you could be at higher risk of getting breast cancer.
Personal history of breast cancer. If you have already been diagnosed with breast cancer, your risk of developing it again, either in the same breast or the other breast, is higher than if you never had the disease.
Radiation therapy to the chest.
Breast cellular changes. Removal of suspicious tissue for examination under a microscope can be a risk factor for developing breast cancer.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Pregnancy and breastfeeding reduce the overall number of menstrual cycles in a woman’s lifetime, and this appears to reduce future breast cancer risk. Women who have never had a full-term pregnancy, or had their first full-term pregnancy after age 30, have an increased risk of breast cancer.
Treatments exist for every type and stage of breast cancer. Most women will have surgery and an additional (adjuvant) therapy such as radiation, chemotherapy or hormone therapy.
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