(HEALTH/FIGURE) What we all need to know about Breast Cancer!

1 in ever 8 women will develop Breast Cancer in her lifetime. Many African American families are losing wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, and aunt to this disease. Though cancer is known for being a disease of old age, Breast Cancer is traveling fast effecting our communities.

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.

Breast cancer may be invasive or noninvasive. Invasive means it has spread from the milk duct or lobule to other tissues in the breast. Noninvasive means it has not yet invaded other breast tissue. Noninvasive breast cancer is called "in situ."

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.

What you probably didn't know is that the three main risk factors of Breast Cancer have absolutely nothing to do with lifestyle. They are age, being female and having a significant family history. Women who have a family history of the disease, even though they may not be carriers of BRCA1 or 2 themselves, may run an increased risk and should talk about it to their GP, say breast cancer advisers. 

Symptoms

Early breast cancer usually does not cause symptoms. This is why regular breast exams are important. As the cancer grows, symptoms may include:

• Breast lump or lump in the armpit that is hard, has uneven edges, and usually does not hurt
• Change in the size, shape, or feel of the breast or nipple -- for example, you may have redness, dimpling, or puckering that looks like the skin of an orange
• Fluid coming from the nipple -- may be bloody, clear to yellow, green, and look like pus

Men can get breast cancer, too. Let us tell you again. MEN CAN GET BREAST CANCER TOO!! Symptoms include breast lump and breast pain and tenderness.


Treatment is based on many factors, including:

• Type and stage of the cancer
• Whether the cancer is sensitive to certain hormones
• Whether the cancer overproduces (overexpresses) a gene called HER2/neu

Amazingly, There is a way to prevent Breast Cancer. "Tamoxifen"  is approved for breast cancer prevention in women aged 35 and older who are at high risk. But this must be discussed this with your doctor.
the drug tamoxifen. This drug blocks the effects of estrogen, which can help breast cancer cells survive and grow. Most women with estrogen-sensitive breast cancer benefit from this drug.

Women at very high risk for breast cancer may consider preventive (prophylactic) mastectomy. This is the surgical removal of the breasts before breast cancer is ever diagnosed. Possible candidates include:

• Women who have already had one breast removed due to cancer
• Women with a strong family history of breast cancer
• Women with genes or genetic mutations that raise their risk of breast cancer (such as BRCA1 or BRCA2)

Your doctor may do a total mastectomy to reduce your risk of breast cancer. This may reduce, but does not eliminate the risk of breast cancer.

Should you give yourself "Self Breast Exams" ? Yes!