What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells. To better understand breast cancer, it helps to understand how any cancer can develop.

Cancer occurs as a result of mutations, or abnormal changes, in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy. The genes are in each cell’s nucleus, which acts as the “control room” of each cell. Normally, the cells in our bodies replace themselves through an orderly process of cell growth: healthy new cells take over as old ones die out. But over time, mutations can “turn on” certain genes and “turn off” others in a cell. That changed cell gains the ability to keep dividing without control or order, producing more cells just like it and forming a tumor.

A tumor can be benign (not dangerous to health) or malignant (has the potential to be dangerous). Benign tumors are not considered cancerous: their cells are close to normal in appearance, they grow slowly, and they do not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors are cancerous. Left unchecked, malignant cells eventually can spread beyond the original tumor to other parts of the body.

What are the symptoms of Breast Cancer?

In the early stages, there are often no symptoms of breast cancer. Yet as the cancer grows, you may start to notice changes in the breast or underarm, such as a lump.

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer can include the following:
* Lumps — breast cancer lumps vary and may be hard or soft and have rounded or uneven edges
* Swelling of part of the breast
* Skin irritation or dimpling
* Nipple pain or the nipple turning inward
* Redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin
* Nipple discharge other than breast milk
* A lump in the underarm area

REMEMBER, these signs and symptoms do not necessarily mean you have breast cancer. However, you should tell your doctor right away about any lump in the breast or underarm area and any changes in the skin of the breast, nipple, or areola (the area around the nipple).

Because early-stage breast cancer typically shows no symptoms when the tumor is small and most treatable, it is very important to follow the guidelines for detecting breast cancer early, before symptoms develop.

Early Detection & Screening

Getting tested regularly is the best way for women to lower their risk of dying from breast cancer. Screening tests can find breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable.

Screening Recommendations
* Mammography
* Digital mammography
* MRI
* Clinical breast exam
* Breast self-exam

Sources:

http://www.breastcancer.org
http://www.komen.org
http://www.getbcfacts.com