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.
Over the course of a lifetime, 1 in 8 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.
Lumps in the breasts (3 images)
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(Doctor-Reviewed information)
There are many causes for lumps in the breast. These range from normal changes in your body to abnormal breast disease. 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.Normal breast tissue is present in both males and females of all ages. This tissue responds to hormonal changes and, therefore, certain lumps can come and go.Lumps in a woman are oft...Reviewer: Peter Chen, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Date: 11/09/2007
Breast lump removal (9 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Breast lump removal is surgery to remove a lump in the breast and some surrounding tissue from the breast.Lumpectomy; Wide local excision; Excisional biopsy; Limited breast surgery; Segmental mastectomy: Breast conservation therapy or surgery; Tyl...Reviewer: James Lee, M.D., Department of Surgery, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/26/2009
Mastectomy (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A mastectomy is the surgery to remove the entire breast. It is usually done to treat breast cancer.Breast removal surgery; Subcutaneous mastectomy; Total mastectomy; Simple mastectomy; Modified radical mastectomy.You will be given general anesthes...Reviewer: James Lee, M.D., Department of Surgery, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/26/2009
Breast lump self exam (4 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Breast cancer is easier to treat the earlier it is found. For that reason, some experts recommend that women over age 20 perform a monthly breast self exam to look for new lumps and other changes. Reviewer: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 05/26/2008
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 noncancerous( benign) and cancerous(malignant) disease.You will be asked to undress from the waist up and will be given a gown to wear. Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 12/31/2008
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.You will be asked to undress from the waist up and put on a medical gown during the test. During the test,...Reviewer: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 05/26/2008
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.Breast tissue samples may be obtained by a needle biopsy or open biopsy. The sample may consist of connective tissue, fat lobules, or milk ...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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