Remember Me
forgot your password?

Information on Breast Cancer

The breasts sit on the chest muscles that cover the ribs. Each breast is made of 15 to 20 lobes. Lobes contain many smaller lobules. Lobules contain groups of tiny glands that can produce milk. Milk flows from the lobules through thin tubes called ducts to the nipple. The nipple is in the center of a dark area of skin called the areola. Fat fills the spaces between the lobules and ducts.

Breast cancer incidence is much higher in industrialised Western countries, whether in Europe or North America, than in developing countries. North American women have the highest incidence of breast cancer in the world. Among women in the U.S., breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second-most common cause of cancer death (after lung cancer). Women in the U.S. have a 1 in 8 (12.5%) lifetime chance of developing invasive breast cancer and a 1 in 35 (3%) chance of breast cancer causing their death. In 2007, breast cancer was expected to cause 40,910 deaths in the U.S. (7% of cancer deaths; almost 2% of all deaths)

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. While the majority of new breast cancers are diagnosed as a result of an abnormality seen on a mammogram, a lump or change in consistency of the breast tissue can also be a warning sign of the disease. Heightened awareness of breast cancer risk in the past decades has led to an increase in the number of women undergoing mammography for screening, leading to detection of cancers in earlier stages and a resultant improvement in survival rates.

Breast cancer is the number one disease that women in the United States fear the most, and for compelling reasons. It is the leading cause of death among women between 40 and 55 years of age and is the second overall cause of death among women (exceeded only by lung cancer). Unfortunately, it is also on the rise worldwide. According to the American Cancer Society, this year about 175,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer and about 43,300 deaths from breast cancer will occur among women in the USA.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women in North America and Europe. Close to 200,000 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2001. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women behind lung cancer. The lifetime risk of any particular woman getting breast cancer is about 1 in 8 although the lifetime risk of dying from breast cancer is much lower at 1 in 28. Men are also at risk for development of breast cancer, although this risk is much lower than it is for women.

Breast cancer is more easily treated and often curable if it is found early. Monthly breast self-examinations should begin at age 20. Recommended screening methods include breast self-examination and mammography.

The most serious cancers are metastatic cancers. Metastasis means that the cancer has spread from the place where it started into other tissues distant from the original tumor site. The most common place for breast cancer to metastasize is into the lymph nodes under the arm or above the collarbone on the same side as the cancer. Other common sites of breast cancer metastasis are the brain, the bones, and the liver.

Death rates from breast cancer have been gradually declining and continue to decline. These decreases are likely due both to increased awareness and screening and improved treatment methods.

Joyce Turner

Read about Body Building Tips and Girls Discussion Forum Message Board. Also Read About How to Solve a Problem

Rate this Article: 5 / 5 stars - 1 vote(s)
Print Email Re-Publish

Add new Comment



Captcha
0
1. Sue (17:56, 13.04.2008)
I think survival rates are misleading. A person undergoing chemo, radiation, or tamoxifen can die of heart disease, blood clots, etc, and then that death can be conveniently not be attributed to Breast Cancer, but Heart Disease. I think "modern medicine" treatment is a joke and is definitely NOT improved. I am a survivor who has not given in to the mainstream treatment since there would have been a 40% chance that the treatment could kill me! I had consults in 4 different U.S. Clinics, and to our dismay, they all offered the same crap. I went to Mexico for my treatment, and am now cancer-free! Sue

  • Latest Cancer Articles
  • More from Joyce Turner

Smoking and Cessation Tools

By: Ross Jacky | 24/12/2009
To make smoking cessation an easier process, you need to have the necessary support of others and a smoking cessation aid that suits you. First of all, decide to quit; you should yearn for it with all your heart. For one to truly kick the habit of smoking, one must make up one’s mind and be convinced that it is time to stop.

Stay Healthy And Avoid Breast Cancer

By: Alex Weidmann | 23/12/2009
A healthy diet and regular check-ups can act prophylactically, or leave a disease seen very quickly. The earlier cancer is detected, the greater are the chances of recovery.

How to Cure Cancer Naturally and Effectively

By: Chuck Vanhook | 22/12/2009
These days the treatment of cancer has taken all encompassing ways. The doctors can opt for removing the tumors surgically, injecting the chemicals to destroy the cancer cells or utilize the radiation therapy. Various experiments are carried out clinically to aim the cancer cells in a better manner. Though, there are people who promote a different path of treating the cancer, the natural way.

Alternative Lung Cancer Treatment and You

By: Chuck Vanhook | 22/12/2009
Most of the people around the world die due to cancer, and one common cause that ties them together is lung cancer. The standard age for the diagnosis of this disease is sixty. Cancer can be broadly classified into two types, small cell (or coat cell) lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The growth of small cell lung cancer is very quick and can easily spread to the other body parts.

Alternative Liver Cancer Treatment and You

By: Chuck Vanhook | 22/12/2009
A lot of reports suggest that alternative liver cancer treatments have proven to be very effective. These therapies can work along with the conventional treatments. Conventional treatments though are drugs, chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Though, these treatments have their own side effects. Alternative liver cancer treatment can assist in lessening the symptoms an in many cases reverse the condition.

Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) - Drug Pipeline Analysis and forecast

By: Bharat Book Bureau | 22/12/2009
Bharatbook.com added a new report on "Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) - Drug Pipeline Analysis and Market Forecasts to 2015" which gives trends shaping and driving the global NSCLC disease market.

Skin Cancer on Cats

By: Ken Tetzolt | 22/12/2009
Feline cancer is one thing that the owner of cats needs to have in consideration. This condition propagates throughout the body and may be fatal in the majority of the cases. The quick expansion of this disease makes the treatment difficult and the recuperation possibilities very low.

Cancer, Its Diagnosis and Treatment

By: syammohan | 21/12/2009
Cancer is a dreaded disease, which is a major cause of death of human in the modern world. It is characterized by the uncontrolled multiplication and growth of cells. It may develop in any part of the body in all types of living organisms. Cancer is not a contagious disease. Cancer results from the breakdown of regulatory mechanism, which controls the normal cell behaviour.

Sleep Disorders–symptoms of Sleep Disorders

By: Joyce Turner | 12/04/2008 | Health
Sleep Disorders vary in nature and degree. The three major sleep disorders are dyssomnias (insomnia), hypersomnia (disorders of excessive sleepiness) and parasomnias (abnormal behaviors during sleep).

Sleep Disorders–causes of Sleep Disorders

By: Joyce Turner | 12/04/2008 | Health
A sleep disorder (somnipathy) is a medical disorder of the sleep patterns of a person or animal. Some sleep disorders are serious enough to interfere with normal physical, mental and emotional functioning. A test commonly ordered for some sleep disorders is the polysomnogram.

Information on Breast Cancer

By: Joyce Turner | 11/04/2008 | Cancer
The breasts sit on the chest muscles that cover the ribs. Each breast is made of 15 to 20 lobes. Lobes contain many smaller lobules. Lobules contain groups of tiny glands that can produce milk. Milk flows from the lobules through thin tubes called ducts to the nipple.

Submit Your Articles Free: Signup
Article Categories




Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.12, 1, w3)