Quick Facts About Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer affecting women and is the number two killer of women ages 35-54. Breast cancer rarely occurs in men. Lymph node involvement is the most valuable prognostic predicator for breast cancer. Breast cancer may develop any time after puberty but is most common after age 50.

Some of the causes of breast cancer are a family history of breast cancer, particularly first-degree relatives. Positive tests for genetic mutations (BRCA 1 and BRCA 2). Long menstrual cycles. Early age at which periods began or late menopause. No pregnancies or first pregnancy after age 30. History of unilateral breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Exposure to low level radiation. Pregnancy before age 20, history of multiple pregnancies. Persons with Native American or Asian ancestry.

Breast cancer occurs more commonly in the left breast than the right. Breast cancer is more commonly in the outer part of the breast around the armpit. Slow growing breast cancer may take up to 8 years to become palable at 3/6" in size. Breast cancer spreads by way of the lymphatic system and the blood stream through the right side of the heart to the lungs and eventually to the other breast, the chest wall, liver, bone and brain. The estimated growth rate of breast cancer is referred to a "doubling time", or the time it takes the malignant cells to double in number. Survival time for breast cancer is based on tumor size and spread, the number of involved nodes is the single most important factor in predicting survival time.

Breast cancer is classified by the shape of the cells under a microscope and location of the lesion. Adenocarcinoma - arising from the epithelium of the skin. Intraductal- within the ducts of the breast (including Paget's disease). Infiltrating- in parenchymal tissue of the breast. Inflammatory (rare) - overlying skin becomes edematous, inflamed, and indurated; reflects rapid tumor growth. Lobular carcinoms in situ - involves glandular lobes. Medullary or circumscribed - large tumor, rapid growth rate. The descriptive terms to describe breast cancer should be coupled with a staging or nodal status classification system. The most commonly used staging system for breast cancer is the TNM (tumor size, nodal involvement, metastatic progress)

There are many signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Lump or mass in the breast, breast pain. Breast mass or thickening. Unusual lump in the underarm or above the collarbone. Persistent skin rash near the nipple area. Flaking or eruption near the nipple. Change in nipple position. Burning, stinging, or prickling sensation. Change in symmetry or size of the breast. Change in skin - thickening, scaly skin around the nipple, dimpling, edema or ulcerations may also be a sign of breast cancer. Change in skin temperature (warm, hot, to pink area.) Unusual drainage or discharge from the nipple. Change in nipple (itching, burning, erosion, or retraction.) Pathologic bone fractures, or increased calcium levels. Edema of the arm. A spontaneous discharge of any kind in the nonbreastfeeding, nonlactating women warrants investigation; suspect any greenish-black, white, creamy, serous, or bloody discharge. Monthly self breast exams and yearly (or bi-yearly) exams by a practitioner are the best and most accurate way to detect breast cancer.