About one in ten women will get breast cancer at sometimes in their life, usually between the ages of 50 and 70. Most disorders of the breast are not serious, although breast cancer is becoming increasingly common in developed countries.
Breast cancer is caused by the abnormal or uncontrollable growth of breast cells. It has the potential to also spread to other parts of the body. While cancer is almost always caused by an abnormal gene the chances of inheriting it from your mother or father is only 5 to 10 percent. The genetic abnormalities that occur as a result of the ageing process and other factors however cause 90 percent of the breast cancers.
Most of the inherited cases of breast cancer have been linked with the two genes Breast Cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and Breast Cancer gene 2 (BRCA2). These two genes play a role in keeping the breast cells growing normally and preventing any cancerous cell growth. However, abnormal BRCA 1 and BRCA2 gene increase an individual's risk from breast cancer. These genes usually account for almost up to 10 percent of all breast cancers.
Breast cancer is probably one of the most disturbing diagnoses a doctor has to divulge to his patient. Learn the signs and symptoms of this disease. Early treatment means higher chances of recovery.
Myth: Breast cancer is primarily a genetic disorder. Only 5 percent to 10 percent of breast cancer is owing to abnormal genes. The two genes, Breast Cancer Gene 1 (BRCA 1) and Breast Cancer Gene 2 (BRCA2) are thought to be those that increase the risk of breast cancer. However, the percentage of breast cancer cases in relation to BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutated genes is only 5%. It must be noted that this is only one of the risk factors when considering breast cancer. The other risk factors being age, high fat content diet and obesity, to name a few.
Myth: Radiation therapy increases the chances of the breast cancer spreading. Radiation therapy is done with the intention of reducing the spread of the cancer. Therefore, if you have cancer in one breast and if you go for radiation therapy for it, the chance of it spreading to the other breast does not exist. However, teenage girls who receive chest radiation for Hodgkin's disease do run the risk of developing breast cancer because newly developing breasts are vulnerable to damage by radiation.
Myth: A woman who has been cancer earlier should not get pregnant. There is much metabolic and hormonal change occurring when a woman gets pregnant. Studies have shown that this does not cause any significant risk of breast cancer recurring.
Myth: If you detect a painful lump in your breast, there is no need for concern, as it is not cancerous. Pain is very rarely the only indication of breast cancer. However only 10 percent of breast cancers are linked with pain. If an individual complains of pain in the breast and a self-examination test and a mammogram do not show any abnormality the likelihood of breast cancer is minimal.
Myth: Coffee drinkers have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. This is not so, in fact research has shown that coffee may actually prevent cancer. It was once believed that caffeine, which is present in coffee, caused a fibrocystic breast condition, a non-cancerous condition, which has symptoms of tenderness, pain, lumpiness and cysts in the breasts.
Some breast cancer risk factors cannot be avoided, such as genetics. Many others can be controlled or avoided, such as hormone treatments or weight gain.
Myth: People who are at high risk of breast cancer cannot do anything about it. This is not true. There are many ways in which to reduce but not eliminate the risk of a high risk individual. These would include changing ones lifestyle by exercising regularly, not smoking, not consuming or minimizing the intake of alcohol, by taking medication and also in extreme cases by undergoing surgery.
Myth: An individual will probably get breast cancer if her mother or grandmother had it. If an individual's mother or grandmother has had breast cancer does not necessarily mean that they will end up with it even though they are in a higher risk group. Most women who end up getting breast cancer do not have a family history of it. It is recommended that you have a mammogram done if your mother, sister, grandmother or daughter had or has breast cancer.
Breast cancer is very hard to detect in its early stages. Breast self-exams and regular clinical breast exams are still our best weapons against this type of disease. We can gain a better understanding of breast cancer if we just take the time to study its causes and find out what are the factors that increase our chances of getting it. Read on for more useful information about breast cancer, which affects the lives of thousands of women each year.
Breast cancer is one of the most common life-threatening diseases among women. The risk of acquiring breast cancer increases with age. It is hard to detect the early symptoms of breast cancer, which is why it is important for women to have regular mammogram screenings as well as learn how to properly perform breast self-exams. Here are some other facts you need to know about breast cancer.
Women of all ethnic backgrounds are afflicted by breast cancer. Last year, over 212.000 women in the U.S. were diagnosed with breast cancer. Each year, over 40,000 American women die of complications related to the disease.
We believed that things in life were predestined and we would accept the fate of our life when some tragic incidents happened upon us. But once we were able to reconcile with our love and pain, therefore we would able to create wisdom to face any predicament with less anxiety and depression. The solution is simple - 5-Steps to Breast cancer free!
This is my second "go round" with cancer and chemoptherapy, this time I'm much more educated in helping myself deal with side effects and would like to pass my remedies on to others.
Someone I know is battling breast cancer and if it were up to me, I would not let anyone go through the same ordeal. She is a client, and a dear friend.
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