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Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast start
to grow abnormally in an uncontrolled manner. It is the most
common type of cancer in women. (About 1% of all breast cancer
occurs in adult men.) The exact cause of breast cancer is unknown, but a person's
age, genetic factors, personal health history and diet all
contribute to breast cancer risk.
Mammograms often detect early
breast cancer before symptoms appear. The most common symptom is a
painless lump in the breast or armpit that is new or
unusual. Other symptoms include:
- A change in the size or shape of the breast
- Skin changes, such as a dimple or pucker in the skin of the
breast
- Discharge or bleeding from the nipple that comes out without
squeezing the nipple (spontaneous discharge)
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- Scaling or crusting of the nipple
- A change in the nipple, such as a nipple that is now drawn
inward (retraction or inversion)
- A change in the color or feel of the skin of the breast or
the darker area around the nipple (areola).
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This information is not intended to replace the advice of a
doctor. If you have any questions or concerns about a health
condition, contact your doctor.
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Follow these three steps for early detection of breast cancer:
- Get a mammogram — the American Cancer Society
recommends having a baseline mammogram at age 35, and a screening
mammogram every year after age 40
- Examine your breasts each month after age 20*
- Have your breasts examined by your physician at least once
every three years after age 20, and every year after age 40.
* You should perform a breast self-examination at the same
time each month — three to five days after your menstrual
period ends. If you have stopped menstruating, perform the exam on
the same day of each month.
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The types of treatment for breast cancer are:
- Surgery to remove the cancer
- Lumpectomy to remove just the area of breast cancer
- Mastectomy to remove the entire breast
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor
- Biological therapy, with monoclonal antibodies that block the
protein HER-2. Monoclonal antibodies are sometimes used for the
treatment of breast cancer that has spread to another area of the
body (metastasized).
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For more information on breast cancer, login
to WebMD and visit the Breast Health Condition Center.
Other helpful resources include:
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