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Breast cancer originates from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of the milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. It is the most common type of non-skin cancer in women and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. Breast cancer occurs more common in women than in men. The major causes of breast cancer include genetic mutations occurring in p53, BRCA1 and BRCA2. Family history is one of the risk factors for breast cancer. Age is the next risk factor and breast cancer increases with age. Breast cancer causes lump formation in the breast and thickening of breast tissue.
The other causes of breast cancer include environmental factors, hormonal influence and lifestyle. Breast cancers are sensitive to hormones such as estrogen or progesterone. The risk for developing breast cancer increases when there is no children. Breast cancer seems to occur more frequently in countries with high dietary intake of fat items. Overweight or obesity is a known risk factor for breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women. The use of alcohol is an established risk factor
The development of breast cancer increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. Prolonged exposure to hormone replacement therapy also causes breast cancer. In the advanced stage, breast cancer causes bone pain, shortness of breath, drop in appetite, headache, neurological pain, inverted nipple, persisting pain in breast, continuous skin irritation, an unusual discharge from the nipple other than milk.
Breast cancer is not a single disease and can be classified by different schemata of the breast tissue. The classification is based on stage, pathophysiology, grade, receptor status, and the presence or absence of genes as determined by DNA testing. Ductal carcinoma and lobular carcinoma are the two main types of breast cancer. Breast cancer can also be classified into in situ breast cancer and invasive or metastatic breast cancer.
Breast cancer is examined by mammography. It is necessary that women do mammography regularly after the age of forty. Breast cancer is treated with surgery or chemotherapy or radiation. Drugs used after and also in addition to surgery are called adjuvant therapy. Medications used for adjuvant breast cancer treatment involves hormone blocking therapy, chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies. Breast cancer causes death if not treated properly.
Breast cancer can be prevented by restricted alcohol consumption, maintenance of healthy body weight, inclusion of limited fat in diet, regular exercise, avoiding unnecessary consumption of antibiotics, reverting to organic food free of pesticides.
Breast cancer can be cured if treated in the initial stage or if the medications are given at appropriate time. The symptoms and treatment differs for individuals as the exact cause of breast cancer is yet to be known.
