Breast Cancer Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Female Breast Needle biopsy of the breast Show all 8 photos Breast cancer Definition Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast. There are two main types of breast cancer: Ductal carcinoma starts in the tubes (ducts) that move milk from the breast to the nipple. Most breast cancers are of this type. Lobular carcinoma starts in parts of the breast, called lobules, that produce milk. In rare cases, breast cancer can start in other areas of the breast. Many breast cancers are sensitive to the hormone estrogen. This means that estrogen causes the breast cancer tumor to grow. Such cancer is called estrogen receptor positive cancer or ER positive cancer. Some women have what's called HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2 refers to a gene that helps cells grow, divide, and repair themselves. When cells have too many copies of this gene, cells -- including cancer cells -- grow faster. Experts think that women with HER2-positive breast cancer have a more aggressive disease and a higher risk of recurrence than those who do not have this type. Alternative Names Cancer - breast; Carcinoma - ductal; Carcinoma - lobular Causes, incidence, and risk factors Over the course of a lifetime, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Risk factors you cannot change include: Age and gender -- Your risk of developing breast cancer increases as you get older. The majority of advanced breast cancer cases are found in women over age 50. Continue reading this article

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Lumps in the breasts (3 images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
There are many causes for lumps in the breast. These range from normal changes in your body to abnormal breast disease. Breast lumps are either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous. See also: Breast lumps and cancer Reviewer: Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, and physician in the Primary Care Clinic, Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/17/2007

Breast lump (4 images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A breast lump is a swelling, protuberance, or lump in the breast. Reviewer: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Date: 02/27/2006

Breast lump removal (9 images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Breast lump removal is surgery to remove a lump in the breast. Reviewer: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 06/07/2006

Mastectomy (1 image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A mastectomy is the surgical removal of the entire breast, usually to treat serious breast disease, such as breast cancer. There are four general types of mastectomy: Subcutaneous mastectomy - the entire breast is removed but the nipple and areola (the pigmented circle around the nipple) remain in place; Total (or simple) mastectomy - removal of the whole breast, but not the lymph nodes under the arm (axillary nodes; Modified radical mastectomy - removal of the whole breast and most of the lymph nodes under the arm (axillary dissection; Radical mastectomy - removal of the chest wall muscles (pectorals) in addition to the breast and axillary lymph nodes. For many years, this operation was considered the standard for women with breast cancer, but it is rarely used today. Reviewer: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 06/07/2006

Breast lump self exam (4 images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Reviewer: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 06/06/2006

Mammography (7 images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breasts. It is used to find tumors and to help tell the difference between non-cancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant) disease. Reviewer: Benjamin Taragin, M.D., Department of Radiology, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/17/2007

Breast ultrasound (1 image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Breast ultrasound is the use of ultrasonic sound waves (sounds that cannot be heard by humans) to produce an image of breast tissue. Reviewer: Neil Grossman, MD, MetroWest Radiology Associates, Framingham, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/03/2006

Breast biopsy (4 images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A breast biopsy is the removal of breast tissue to examine it for signs of breast cancer or other disorders. Reviewer: Robert A. Cowles, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/25/2007

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