Understanding.... Cancer
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, it's important to understand some basics. So, what is breast cancer and how does it happen? In this article, we’ll talk about what breast cancer is, how it develops, how many people get breast cancer, and what factors increase your risk. We’ll also learn more about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
According to cancer.org, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. It is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. There are different kinds of breast cancer. The kind of breast cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn into cancer. Breast cancer can begin in different parts of the breast. A breast is made up of three main parts: lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. The lobules are the glands that produce milk. The ducts are tubes that carry milk to the nipple. The connective tissue surrounds and holds everything together. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts or lobules.
Schedule an
Appointment.
We must be proactive about our health, so schedule an appointment with your OB-GYN in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Grab your mother or sister to get a Mammogram. You can opt to do a self-breast exam, but there's nothing like getting a Mammogram! It can detect microscopic changes that you couldn't see on your own. They can also diagnose other breast issues.
Don't be afraid. Put yourself and your health first. Schedule your appointment today! ♡
Breast cancer can spread outside the breast through blood vessels and lymph vessels. When breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, this is what’s known as metastasis.
The stage of breast cancer is decided by the cancer’s characteristics, like how big it is and whether or not it has hormone receptors. The stage of the cancer helps you and your doctor figure out your prognosis, decide on the best treatment options, and determine if any clinical trials might be good for you.
Breast cancer stage is usually shown as a number on a scale of 0 through IV. Stage 0 describes non-invasive cancers that stay in their original location, and stage IV describes invasive cancers that have spread outside the breast to other parts of the body (metastasized).
What will you do about it?
According to breastcancer.org, about 1 in 8 women in the United States (12%, or about 12 out of every 100) can expect to develop breast cancer over the course of an entire lifetime. In the U.S., an average lifetime is about 80 years.So, you could say that 1 in 8 women in the U.S. who reach the age of 80 can expect to develop breast cancer. No matter what decade of life you’re in, the risk of getting breast cancer is actually lower than 12% for most women.
Even though studies have found that women have a 12% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer, your individual risk may be higher or lower than that. Individual risk is affected by many different factors, such as family history, reproductive history, lifestyle, environment, and others, says the CDC.
Consult with
your doctor.
- Be sure to talk with your doctor about all of your possible risk factors for breast cancer. There may be steps you can take to lower your risk of breast cancer, and your doctor can help you come up with a plan.
- Your doctor also needs to be aware of any other risk factors beyond your control, so that he or she has an accurate understanding of your level of breast cancer risk. This can influence recommendations about breast cancer screening, or what tests to have and when to start having them.
Risk Factor
A “risk factor” is anything that increases your risk of developing breast cancer. Many of the most important risk factors for breast cancer are beyond your control, such as age, family history, and medical history. However, there are some risk factors you can control, such as
- Weight
- Physical Activity
- Alcohol consumption
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THE CONTENT OF THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. If you have a medical emergency or question, immediately call your doctor or dial 911 for assistance.
