Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the breast. The most common type of breast cancer is called ductal carcinoma. Ductal carcinoma starts in the cells of the ducts. Cancer that begins in the lobes or lobules is called lobular carcinoma and is more often found in both breasts than are other types of breast cancer.

There are many factors which may cause or increase chances of getting breast cancer. These include:
* Age
* Early menstruation
* Never having had a child, or having a first child quite old.
* A personal history of breast cancer or noncancerous breast diseases.
* A family history of breast cancer.
* Radiation therapy to the torso.
* Dense breast tissue (on mammograms).
* Hormone use like estrogen or progesterone.
* Alcohol.

Breast cancer can be genetic, inherited from your parents that is. 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer is genetic.
If you have had breast cancer in one breast, you have an increased risk of getting breast cancer in your other breast. Some women with breast cancer also have an increased risk of deeloping ovarian cancer and other types of cancer.

Tests that examine the breasts are used to detect and diagnose breast cancer. If you notice any changes, a doctor should be seen. The following tests and procedures may be used:

* Mammograms - x-raying the breast
* Biopsy - removing several cells or some tissue for microscopic examination by a pathologist.
This may be done on lumps discovered in breasts.
* Excisional biopsy - removing the entire lump.
* Incisional biopsy - partially removing the lump.
* Core biopsy - removing part of the lump using a wide needle
* Needle biopsy - removing part of the lump using a thin needle
* Estrogen and Progesterone receptor tests - testing the amount of estrogen and progesterone hormone
receptors in cancer tissue. This helps to determine if hormone therapy may stop growth of the cancer.

There are factors affecting the recovery of treatment, which include the following:
* The stage the cancer is in - how quickly it was discovered and treated
* What type of breast cancer you have
* Your estrogen and progesterone receptor levels
* Age, health and menopausal status
* Whether the cancer is recurring or newly discovered.