What is breast cancer?
Nodules most often appear in the lobules, small sacks that produce milk, or in the ducts that transport milk towards the nipple. However, sometimes these bumps are formed in other tissues. The two main categories of breast cancer are lobular carcinomas and ductal carcinomas.
The effects of breast cancer
Breast cancer usually starts with the formation of a small well outlined tumor. Some tumors are benign, meaning they do not invade other tissues; while others are malign, or cancerous. Malign tumors have the potential to metastasize, namely to spread. Once such a tumor reaches a certain dimension, it is more likely for it to radiate cells that spread to other parts of the body through blood vessels and through the lymphatic system.
The different types of breast cancer grow and spread with various speeds; some take years to spread outside of the breast, while other spread very quickly. Men too can develop breast cancer, but the number of cases is smaller than half of 1% of all cases. Among women, breast cancer is the most frequent type of cancer and it is one of the top killers among types of cancer.
Statistics show that out of eight women who could reach the age of 85, one develops this condition at a certain point in her life. Two thirds of women with breast cancer are aged over 50, while the remained are aged mostly between 39 and 49. Fortunately, breast cancer is highly curable if it is detected in time. Tumors located can usually be successfully treated, before the cancer spreads, and in 9 of 10 cases the patient can live another 5 years at least.
Once the cancer begins to spread, it is much more difficult to completely remove it, even though treatment can sometimes keep the illness in check for years in a row. The improved screening procedures and the better treatment options make it possible for seven out of ten women diagnosed with breast cancer to live another 5 years after the initial diagnosis, while half of them live longer than 10 years after diagnosis.
Even though the exact causes of breast cancer remain unclear, the main risk factors associated with the disease are generally known. However, most of the women seen as presenting a high risk of breast cancer do not develop the illness, while many of the ones who are sick have not been exposed to the risks associated with the condition. Some of the most significant factors include aging and family history of breast cancer. The risk is higher for women who have benign tumors or have had breast cancer or ovarian cancer before.