Breast Cancer

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The Full Story About Breast Cancer |
Brooke Foster |
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“She dropped the phone and burst into tears, the doctor just confirmed her fears…” (McBride). Thousands of women experience those types of feelings each year, because breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in women. This paper will discuss causes, risk factors, symptoms, treatments, and the physical and emotional effects of the disease.
There are not very many known causes for breast cancer. Genetics, gender, and age are the biggest risk factors.
Women with a family history of breast cancer are at a higher risk than others. The risk is highest if the affected relative developed breast cancer at a young age, had cancer in both breasts, or if they were a close relative. First-degree relatives, such as mothers or sisters, are most important in estimating risk. Several second-degree relatives, such as grandmothers and aunts, with breast cancer also increases a person’s risk.
Gender is a big risk factor because, although men can get breast cancer, it mostly affects women. The average woman at age 30 has a one in 280 chance of getting the disease. As she gets older, her risk increases. The risk increases to one in 70 at age 40, one in 40 at age 50, and at age 60 the risk is one in 30.
Some of the symptoms of breast cancer are lumps in the breast tissue, an inverted nipple, or changes in the skin around the breast.
Most lumps are actually not cancerous. Lumps around the breast, collarbone, or armpit that will not go away could be signs of cancer and should be examined by a doctor.
Changes in the skin around the breast can include redness, changes in texture, and puckering.
There are different ways to treat this disease. The most common treatment is surgery.
Surgery is generally the first step after a breast cancer diagnosis. The type of surgery depends on the size and type of tumor, as well as the patient’s health and preferences. The different types... [continues]

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