Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor or group of cancer cell that can grow in to surrounding tissues that starts in the breast.   The disease is mostly found in women, although men can get it also.   There are several types of breast cancer such as, triple negative breast cancer, Paget disease of the nipple, phyllodes tumor, and angiosarcoma.   Usually breast cancer forms in the cells of the lobules, which are the milk producing glands, or it forms in the ducts, which is the passage that drains milk from the lobules to the nipple.   Although these are the most common ways that breast cancer can form, a least likely way is through the stromal tissue which includes the fatty and fibrous connective tissues of the breast.   Once breast cancer has reached the healthy tissue of the breast it can then spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit.   When the cancer has taken over the lymph nodes it can spread to other parts of the body.   Only five to ten percent of cancer is due to an inherited abnormality from your mother or father.   Ninety percent is caused by genetic abnormalities from age or the wear and tear of life.   There are several stages of breast cancer with the lowest being stage 0 which is when cancer cells remain inside the breast duct without invading the normal breast tissue, and the highest being stage IV which is when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.  
There are many things that you can do to reduce the risk of breast cancer.   One thing is having children.   Women who have their first child after the age of 30 have a higher risk of developing breast cancer because pregnancy reduces the women’s total number of menstrual cycles.   Recent oral contraceptive use can also cause a woman to have a slightly higher risk over women who do not use them.   Hormone therapy after menopause such as, using estrogen therapy for prolonged periods of time.   Being overweight or obese can also increase your risk of developing breast cancer especially after menopause.... [continues]

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