Breast cancer is a cancer that affects the breast tissue. The primary victims of this type of cancer are females. Statistics show that approximately one out of 11 to 12 women of the Western world are affected by breast cancer. Medical researches have tried aggressively to find a solution to detect the problem earlier or to treat the problem. About 20 percent of the women affected by breast cancer still fall prey to it and eventually die. In fact, breast cancer ranks second in cancer deaths for women.

Most breast cancer starts in the cells that line up the ducts. There are occasions where the cancer cells originate from the lobules, and then spread to other tissues.

Many breast cancer diagnosis starts in the checking of lumps I the breast. Although most cases of lumps are benign, meaning they are not cancerous, but doctors often ask a patient to undergo biopsy to make sure that cells are not malignant. Most of the lumps are caused by cysts. These lumps may cause pain and swelling of the breast accompanied at times by clear or cloudy discharge in the nipple which happens before the menstrual cycle period is about to begin in a woman. The symptoms may lead to the person to seek a medical check-up.

Male Victims

Breast cancer is not limited to women though; male victims are present as well. The breast of both male and female have identical tissues, so a man is also prone to acquiring the cancer. It is believed that females are more prone to men because the breast of a woman constantly goes through growth changing hormones, thus the cells are more exposed to cancerous change.

Breast Cancer Awareness

As more and more people fall ill to breast cancer, the month of October has been deemed as breast cancer month, to commemorate those who passed away from the cancer, the family and friends survived by the deceased. A pink ribbon is the symbol that a person is joining in the commemoration.

By: Steve Valentino

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Ductal cancer has a pre-invasive stage known as breast ductal carcinoma in situ. Once the cancer cells invade the basement membrane of the breast and penetrate the underlying supportive tissue, it is then called invasive ductal cancer. These cancers often lead to the formation of fibrous tissue within the breast that shows on a mammogram with stellate structure. Once large enough to be felt on palpation, a lump of this origin is quite firm in relation to the surrounding breast tissue.

Lobular cancer is often termed “infiltrating” lobular cancer because the cancer cells infiltrate the supporting tissue in a linear fashion. Cancer cells appear as interspersed cords among normal breast tissue, making both mammographic diagnosis and detection by palpation more difficult. The association of infiltrating lobular cancer with a change in the terminal lobular units of the breast duct characterized by atypical lobular cells thought to be the pre-invasive phase of infiltrating lobular cancer. This proliferation of cells was called lobular carcinoma in situ and seemed to be similar to ductal carcinoma in situ in invasive ductal cancer. With more studies, it was found that lobular carcinoma in situ was not necessarily a malignant transformation and when found by itself in a breast biopsy, it did not go on to give rise to an infiltrating lobular carcinoma in most cases. Its presence did, however, may lead to believe that the breast tissue was more prone to cancer of both ductal and lobular types and this increased risk was to two to three times the average woman’s risk.

Mucinous or colloid breast cancer accounts for five percent or less of breast malignancies. In this type, the cancer cells retain the ability to secrete mucin, a liquid material that accumulates within the cells. This type of cancer has a good prognosis and is not prone to spread to the lymph nodes and blood system.

Papillary breast cancer is quite rare and under microscopic examination of cancer tissue, the cells form patterns that look like fern rods. The invasive form of this type of cancer is well differentiated and has a good prognosis. Since papillary cancers tend to have a central localization in the breast, often behind the nipple, local control without deformity can be difficult.

The inflammatory type of breast cancer involves a high-grade cancer cell of ductal origin that has a high propensity to spread to the lymph vessels, especially those just beneath the skin. Often, there is no mass or lump upon palpation, but swelling and redness is visible resembling an infection – thus the name inflammatory breast cancer. The treatment protocol usually involves a trial of antibiotics without a response followed by a skin biopsy that will reveal cancer cells in the dermal lymph vessels. This type of breast cancer is very aggressive and surgical removal will not be able to control it locally. However, treatment has evolved that has substantially improved the outlook for women with inflammatory breast cancer. Chemotherapy given as an initial treatment often dramatically changes the breast to a normal appearance, then making local control with surgery and radiotherapy feasible.

There are very, very rare malignancies of the breast that originate form the lymph (lymphoma), or from fat (liposarcoma), or from the skin or its glands. These account for less than a fraction of one percent of all breast cancers.

By: Michael Russell

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Male breast cancer occurs when there is uncontrolled growth of cells in the male breast. Although this type of cancer is more common in women than in men, there are a percentage of men who suffer from it. This disease usually occurs in men who are in their sixties and seventies. Signs of this disease in men include discharge from the nipple, swelling, skin dimpling or nipple retraction. Breast lumps are easier to detect in men than it is for women. This is because men have less breast tissue than women.

Many men will fail to report any of the above symptoms for fear of stigmatization. Breast cancer is considered a woman disease, and most males will shy away from admitting that they could be suffering from it. Men usually suffer from a benign type of this disease called gynecomastia, which results in the increase of breast tissue. However, some medications have been known to cause gynecomastia, such as those used to treat acidity or high blood pressure. Men also suffer from the different types of the disease that are usually found in women.

Breast cancer in men could result from factors such as exposure to radiation, family history of the disease, including in female family members or even exposure to female hormones. A person will usually do a self-exam on himself and when anything unusual is detected, they go for further tests. This will include a mammogram, a biopsy or an ultrasound. As is the case with all cancers, not all lumps prove cancerous as they sometimes turn out as benign. In males, treatment of this disease is also done using a surgical procedure called a mastectomy. Males also go through chemotherapy and other hormonal therapies used on their female counterparts.

It is very important to have breast cancer detected early so as to get treatment started as soon as possible. This will also help in preventing the cancer cells from spreading to other tissues. In addition, survival rates for males are the same as for females if they are both detected at the same stage. It is very important for communities to begin support groups for survivors of this disease. The groups should involve both males and females. These groups should provide support, empathy, education and care for those that are undergoing treatment and for the survivors. It is also important to have family members and friends providing you with support on a personalized level.

By: Peter Gitundu

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Maybe you have never heard of Vicki Channing Tashman, but she is a hero for breast cancer survivors. I talked with her yesterday, and she is a very committed woman!

Vicki, like me, is a breast cancer survivor. At the age of 44 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and endured the grueling treatment, including chemotherapy. But unlike so many other women with breast cancer, Vicki did not run away and hide. No! She ran toward this deadly disease and in 2005 she founded Pink-Link, a fantastic, free support website that enables breast cancer survivors to mentor women who are newly diagnosed.

Because each woman’s cancer is different, therefore medications must be different, Vicki created a central online database of breast cancer survivors and patients everywhere. Survivors can input details about their cancers and treatments. Newly diagnosed women can search the database and learn, and they can do it right in the comfort of their homes. The mentor-patient relationship makes treatment go easier. There is also information for loved ones and medical professionals.

She has been featured in so many magazines, newspapers, and online publications that it would be impossible for me to list half of them. But my favorite has been when she was featured on Happy News online publication. This news publication has impressive endorsements, a few of which I will quote:

Washington Post: “The Happynews glass is always at least half-full, and sometimes it bubbles right over.”
NPR: “Happynews forsakes war and famine, terror and man’s inhumanity to man 24/7.”
Dallas Morning News: “As far as anyone can tell, it’s the first international and national daily news organization dedicated exclusively to upbeat stories.”

Each week the website Do One Nice Thing shines the spotlight on an exceptionally kind individual, “One Nice Person.” The Web site also invites visitors to submit their own “nice thing” ideas and names and photos of kind people, which are then posted on the Web site. Vicki Tashman was featured, along with this picture. (Used with permission, but border and name added)

Vicki and I both love the poem below, but neither of us has been able to locate the original author or copyright holder. I received over 200 copies of it in my email from people who knew I was a breast cancer survivor. Also, I have done web searches and contacted The Library of Congress, trying to locate the real author, but to no avail. It is unbelievable how many thousands of websites display her poem, but they either claim authorship, or they just leave that spot blank. So, without further adieu, here is the poem Vicki and I love.

Attitude is Everything!(author still unknown) There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.

“Well,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.” So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.

“H-M-M, ” she said, “I think I’ll part my hair down the middle today.” So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.

“Well,” she said, “Today I’m going to wear my hair in a pony tail.” So she did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn’t a single hair on her head.

“YEAH!” she exclaimed, “I don’t have to fix my hair today!”

Attitude is everything.

Have a Good Day!

By: April Lorier

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Breast cancer is very common in women. In fact, it is the second leading cause of death for women with cancer. There are three times more cases of breast cancer than any of the other gynecological cancers put together. Cases of breast cancer have increased from one out of 20 women, to one out of every seven women who have acquired the disease. This disease is not exclusive for females alone. Statistics show that out of 100 women having breast cancer, there will be one male patient developing this kind of cancer.

Age

A girl who starts having her menstrual cycle before the age of 12, or a woman who starts going through menopause after 50 years old are at higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Nationality

Studies have shown that certain racial groups such as European and African women tend to have higher risk of breast cancer compared to Asian women. However, studies also show inconsistencies in this theory since the statistics change once geography is included in the study, since an Asian women living in a western country showed the same risk as the original inhabitants.

Diet

High consumption of corn oil, oil secreted by meat, and polyunsaturated fats increase the risk of person acquiring breast cancer. Monounsaturated fats like canola oil and olive oil promote better heath.

Heredity

Though there is no available proof suggesting the breast cancer is linked to heredity in any way, it is still believe that patients who have a family history of breast cancer are at higher risk of acquiring breast cancer.

Alcohol

Researches showed that women taking more alcohol have 6% increased risk of getting the cancer as compared to those who do not, or consume moderately.

Hormones

A test was conducted in June 2005 where findings noted that women taking hormonal drugs, like medical estrogen, have a higher risk of acquiring breast cancer.

Other

Other factors believe to be risk factors include not having a child, or delayed first childbirth, or not breastfeeding.

By: Steve Valentino

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The fear of hormonal birth control causing cancer is a significant reason why many women decide against this method. But how much truth is to this belief? And what about the benefits some are rumored to have? I did some research on PubMed and read a few scientific studies on this topic, and here is what I found.

In regards to the link between oral contraception and breast cancer, a study published in April 1994 by White et al. concluded the following from their study: “Long-term oral contraceptive use among young women or use beginning near menarche may be associated with a small excess breast cancer risk, possibly due to susceptibility to genetic damage in breast epithelial cells at ages of high breast cell proliferative activity.”

I found a more recent study published in June 2010 by Cibula et al. that looked at many English studies on this topic up to December 2008. Here is a summary of what they found:

* Data about breast cancer risk indicate a slightly increased risk among current users of oral contraceptives, an effect which disappears 5-10 years after stopping.

* Combined oral contraceptives have a significant protective effect on the risk of ovarian cancer, and the protection increases with duration of use (relative risk decreased by 20% for each 5 years of use)

* The risk of endometrial cancer is reduced by about 50% in ever users, a benefit which is greater with increasing duration of use.

* An association has been found between increased risk of cervical cancer and long-term OC use.

* Current OC use has been associated with an excess risk of benign liver tumours and a modest increased risk of liver cancer.

After looking at the other large studies, they concluded that an overall risk of cancer and death have not been linked to OC use, and some may have important health benefits. According to the researchers, “Women wishing to use combined OC can be reassured that their decision is unlikely to place them at higher risk of developing cancer.” Good news for OC users!

By: Kristianne Meisels

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The sad truth is that not everyone, who undergo treatments for breast cancer, are able to survive. A lot of people die every year and there is very little we can do about it. That is why it is necessary to know more about breast cancer survival rates and what treatments you should then choose. The more you know about cancer the better your chances are.

The rates of survival certainly depends on many different factors and the more advanced the cancer is, the lower the survival rates are obviously. The breast cancer stages are the best way to determine the rate of survival for breast cancer patients.

For example Stage 0 means the cancer cells can only be found on the walls of the lump inside the breast and that the cancer is non-invasive. Stage 1 of breast cancer means that the cancer has become invasive already and that the tumor is around 2 cm long. Stage 2A means that the tumor is around 2-5 cm long.

Stage 2B of breast cancer means that the tumor is 2 cm long, but some auxiliary lymph nodes have been affected and if the tumor gets above 5 cm, then the cancer is already reached stage 3A. When the cancer has already reached the skin of the breast, then it has reached stage 3B. When already other organs of the body are affected then the cancer has reached stage 4.

The survival rates from diagnosis for 10-year period is around 76% and 5-year survival rate is 86%. Cancer patients that have metastatic, have a 5-year survival rate of 21% and without metastatic it is 96%. For example Stage 0 has a survival rate of 100%, like Stage 1, Stage 2A has 92%, Stage 2B has 81%, Stage 3A has 67%, Stage 3B has 54% and Stage 4 has only 20% survival rate.

The sooner you have been diagnosed the better you chances will be, as you can see and another way how your chances can be increased is with alternative cancer treatments. There are so many treatments that can either prevent cancer or increase your chances of survival.

By: Jaan Tamm

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Cancer of breast tissue is breast cancer. It is a highly common and fatal cancer in females. Breast cancer can affect males too, as their un grown breast is composed of identical tissues as females. The incidence is less than one percent.

History of breast cancer can be traced back to 1600 B.C. it is considered as one of the oldest known tumors. In Papyrus writing tumors or ulcers of the breast and its cure were mentioned. For very long time there was no cure for the condition. Then in 1749-1806 the Scottish surgeon Benjamin Bell and the French surgeon Jean Louis Petit were the first one to remove the affected breast tissue, and underlying chest muscle.

The first work on the cause of breast cancer was done by Janet Lane-Claypon. The major cause was attributed to damaged or mutated DNA. The reason stated for the same may be due to exposure to ionizing radiation, exposure to estrogens and repaired BRCA1, BRCA2 and p53 genes. Though these causes are stated for the onset of cancer but the underlying factor is not yet proved.

Other causes which are responsible for breast cancer are: Aging – Due to aging the cell no longer are healthier and some un grown calls can develop in to tumors. Previous history of breast cancer- Previous occurrence increases the risk of developing breast cancer again. Family history of breast cancer- patients sister, mother, close female relative had diagnosed for breast cancer. When their female relative developed their first cancer before the age of 50. Late menopause, Early menarchy, Women with dense breast tissue due to dense breast tissues, the fat ratio decreases. This results in more breast cells and the connective tissues.

So they have high chances of developing breast cancer. Alcohol and smoking, Gaining too much weight after menopause. What ever may be the case if you had developed breast cancer or have a high risk for developing breast cancer, first thing is do not panic! Things will come to your control when you have the confidence in you. Each woman has the capacity to deal with it differently. There are many tests like An annual clinical breast examination, Monthly breast examination, Annual mammogram, to detect the condition in each and every woman.

Science and technology has improved so much that treatment for all problems pop up every minute. But always remember there is life after its diagnosis. We hold lot of hope than ever in the age we live in.

By: Keith Londrie

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Breast calcifications are calcium deposits inside breast tissue. They emerge as white spots or flecks on a mammogram and are typically so small that you couldn’t feel them.

Breast calcifications are widespread in all women and are even more common after menopause. Though breast calcifications are typically noncancerous (benign), particular patterns of calcifications – like tight clusters with irregular shapes – might point to breast cancer.

The two major kinds of breast calcifications are:

- Macrocalcifications. They come out as large white dots or dashes on a mammogram. Macrocalcifications are nearly always noncancerous and need no additional follow-up.
- Microcalcifications. They come out as extremely fine white specks on a mammogram. Microcalcifications are typically noncancerous but could sometimes be a sign of cancer.

Where and How Often Do Calcifications come out?

- macrocalcifications show up in roughly 50 percent of women over 50, and 10 percent of women under 50 years of age
- macrocalcifications are typically not troublesome and won’t need a biopsy
- 80 percent of microcalcifications are benign
- microcalcifications could assist identify ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

A microcalcification is an increase of calcium in one spot. They are widespread and most women will have a few on their mammogram at some point in time. The majority of them are benign. A good number of women do worry regarding them, though – maybe since they haven’t been given a complete clarification of what they are.

When should you worry? First, don’t be frightened if you have microcalcifications since the majority women DO have them at some point. The doctor will take a look to observe if they warrant additional examination.

This typically happens when the microcalcifications are new, clustered firmly together, and comes out when magnified to have unusual forms. Rather than spherical, they look similar to grains of salt with irregular edges. This could be an early sign of breast cancer, most frequently non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS or stage 0 breast cancer).

Microcalcifications couldn’t be experienced on clinical exam or your own breast self-exam. They do not harm. This is the value of mammography – it finds them long prior to they could move forward into an actual lump.

Most of the time, suspicious microcalcifications will be biopsied by means of a stereotactic method that enables the doctor to pin down their location and take away a sample consequently it could be examined by a pathologist. The intention of removing tissue by means of this method is not to get rid of all of the microcalcifications but to obtain a representative sampling accordingly a diagnosis could be completed.

By: MC Ezzia

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Alternative names for breast cancer are: cancer of breast; carcinoma – ductal; carcinoma – lobular.

Other names do people employ is familial; malignant neoplasm of breast; malignant tumor of breast; and mammary cancer.

Breast cancer is a disease in which certain cells in the breast become abnormal and reproduce with no control or order to shape a tumor. The most usual form starts in cells lining the ducts that bring milk to the nipple (ductal cancer). Other forms start in the glands that generate milk (lobular cancer) or in other areas of the breast.

However, not all breast cancers are similar. They happen from various areas of the breast, have various names and work in a different way, though they externally come out the same.

The first strength of mind for naming is whether the breast cancer is “in situ” or “invasive”. In situ cancers stay in the boundaries of the type of cells that shaped them. In situ indicates “in place”, staying where it belongs and not spreading. Therefore in situ cancers are at times named precancerous, signifying they might grow into invasive cancers at some later time. Roughly 20-40% of in situ cancers will do this if not removed. At present, roughly 12% of detected breast cancers are in situ.

The second part of the name informs something regarding that particular type of cancer. A number of breast cancers get their names from the cells of the breast that turned into cancer. If the cancer happens from the cells of the tubes or ducts that normally bring milk to the nipple, it is named “ductal” or from the ducts. Eighty percent of breast cancers are ductal.

If a cancer happens from the part of the breast that generates milk, it is named a lobular cancer. “Lobular” refers to lobes, or the milk creating structures. Ten percent of breast cancers are lobular. Another cancer kind is inflammatory breast cancer (3%) which leads to the breast to appear like it has an infection.

The names of other rare types explain what the pathologist observes when s/he looks at the cancer under the microscope. For instance, tubular breast cancer still shapes tube-like structures, medullary breast cancer has the color of the part of the brain named the medulla, mucinous cancers have mucus-like material, and papillary cancer has finger-like projections.

By: MC Ezzia

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