by Michele Blacksberg

Created on: June 06, 2009   Last Updated: June 16, 2009

Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast no longer grow and divide properly. This overgrowth of cancer cells take over and invade healthy cells and breast tissue. The most common location of breast cancer is in the mammary ducts. Mammary ducts connect the milk producing lobule glands, located deep in the breast tissue, to the nipple for breast feeding. The lobule glands are the second most common site of breast cancer. Breast cancers are named by location and whether they have spread to other areas of the body.

The importance of early detection:

Cancer cells can take years before they become detectable as a small lump in the breast. The longer cancer cells have been growing, the higher the chance they can travel through the blood or the lymph glands and spread to other parts of the body.

Early detection is the best way to prevent breast cancer from occurring. There are a number of methods used to check for breast cancer but yearly mammography by women over the age of 40 and monthly self check breast exams are the main techniques used to discover early growth of cancer cells.

Mammograms:

Mammograms are felt to reduce a woman's risk of dying of breast cancer by 25-35%. A mammogram is a short procedure, approximately 20 minutes, where the breast is positioned between two glass plates while x-rays are taken to observe any suspicious irregularities. The pressure from the plates flattening the breast is uncomfortable but only lasts for seconds and is necessary to get a clear picture of the breast tissue. One in ten women who get a mammogram will be asked to return for further pictures and less than four out of 1000 will have cancer diagnosed from their mammogram.

Breast Self Exam (BSE):

Breast self exam (BSE) is thought to have a lesser contribution to breast cancer detection. However, women as early as their 20's can begin BSE to learn what their normal breast tissue feels like and detect any unusual changes. If swelling, soreness or breast changes are observed, then contacting a doctor as soon as possible will determine if further testing is needed. Clinical breast exams (CBE) will be performed by the doctor and are also routinely done during yearly check ups.

Current Treatments:

1. Surgery- is commonly the first treatment recommended for breast cancer. The decision of which surgery choice is best is decided by a woman (or sometimes a man) and the doctor. There are two choices of breast surgery: Mastectomy or lumpectomy. There are advantages and disadvantages

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