Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women and is characterized by the growth of malignant tumors in the glandular tissue of the breast. While no one knows why some women develop breast cancer and others do not, several variables have been identified as breast cancer risk factors.
Most of the female form in cancers of the breast shortly before, during or after menopause, with 75% of all cases diagnosed after age 50. A major health problem in many parts of the world, it is particularly prevalent in countries developed, and North America and Western Europe, where life expectancy is longer, the incidence is highest. Incidence rates are lower for black and Asian women than in white women, Hispanic and Native American. Despite the low incidence of disease, survival rates were consistently lower for black women. Young black women who get breast cancer are more likely to have a particularly aggressive and deadly form of the disease; thus a higher mortality rate from cancer than white women in the same age group.
A cancer diagnosis has many psychological, emotional, relational and sexual ramifications for the woman and her family. A major concern of women with breast is the fear of their partner's potential response possible mutilating surgeries. Sexual dysfunction has also been frequently associated with patients with breast cancer when other factors such as premature menopause, depression, impact of drugs and chemotherapy and pre-existing sexual problems can all contribute to sexual dysfunction after diagnosis of breast cancer.
Although the diagnosis of cancer can be a devastating experience, most women cope successfully. Statistics show that, although the breast cancer is a major cause of premature death, the number of deaths it causes is approximately equivalent to that of lung cancer (preventable primarily) and considerably smaller than that of diseases cardiovascular. Today, more women are surviving breast cancer than ever. More than two million women are breast cancer survivors. With early detection and prompt and appropriate treatment, the outlook for women with breast cancer can be positive.
Cancer cells, also called carcinomas, as by abnormal cell division. This occurs when the processes that control normal tissue growth and repair decomposes leading to changes in the proteins produced due to changes in the DNA. Cancer cells, which tend to destroy a growing proportion of normal breast tissue over time, can spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body. These genetic mutations in DNA can be present at birth, which predisposes a woman to get breast cancer earlier in life, or can be caused by exposure to hormones and carcinogens (carcinogens) .
Breast cancer is not a single disease. Breast cancer can be designated as "in situ" or invasive. In situ refers to a cancer that has not spread beyond its original site or while applying invasive cancer that has spread to the tissue around it. The most common type is invasive ductal carcinoma, which represents about 70 to 80% of all breast cancers. It starts in a milk line, pierces the wall of the duct and invaded the fatty tissue of the breast. Another 10 to 15% of breast cancers are invasive lobular carcinomas that start in the milk-producing glands and may spread elsewhere. Other, less common types of breast cancer tend to have a better prognosis than the two most common types.
Causes and risk factors
No one knows why some women develop breast cancer and others do not. Although the disease can affect younger women, 75% of all breast cancers in women occurs 50 years or older. Several variables were identified as breast cancer risk factors.
Family or genetic risk
Women who have had a mother or sister with breast cancer diagnosis were almost three times more likely. Inherited mutations in breast cancer genes predispose women both breast and ovarian cancer, often at younger ages. The main genes that increase susceptibility that are BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Exposure to estrogen
These risk factors, all of which relate to life events based on hormones, suggest that breast cancer is somehow affected by prolonged exposure to female sex hormones, such as estrogen. Thus, women with long menstrual history that began early menstruation (before age 12) and arrested its rules late (after 55) are most at risk. On examination at high risk are the nulligravida women (who have never been pregnant) and nulliparous women (who has never given birth). Older women who take hormone pills that combine estrogen and testosterone, sold under the brand names Estratest and Estratest HS, more than double their risk. Similarly, drugs combining estrogens and progestins increases the risk significantly.
Demographic factors
The demographic factors of age, race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status were also noted that the risk factors for breast cancer.
A major risk factor is the age of the woman that the risk of breast cancer tends to increase with age. Statistics put the risk as follows: Risk at 45, 1-93; at 55, 1-33; 65, 1-17; to 85, 1 to 8.
A race factor is that white women are more likely than black women. However, black women diagnosed with breast cancer are more likely to die of the disease. The average risk of developing breast cancer for women in the US living is about 1-9.
Other risk factors are residence in an urban area and socioeconomic status, including higher levels of education and income of the family of the woman (women in the highest risk group have a nearly two times larger than those in the lowest group.)
Studies also show that women who regularly work night shifts may increase their risk by as much as 60 percent. Exposure to bright light at night reduces melatonin production, which in turn may increase estrogen levels. These studies may explain why women in industrialized countries, which are more exposed to artificial light at night, have a higher risk than those in developing countries.
Nutrition and lifestyle risk
The relationship between fat intake and body fat and the risk remains controversial but nevertheless fat consumption reduction is highly recommended. Before menopause, women who are obese may have a reduced risk of breast cancer.
More active women who exercise and are able to maintain a healthy body weight is a relative risk reduction. Higher activity levels may reduce a woman's exposure to estrogen and progesterone. Alcohol has also been linked to an increased risk. The American Cancer Society reports that women who drink two to five drinks daily have about 1.5 times the risk of developing breast cancer than women who do not drink alcohol. And increase physical activity and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk.
Breast cancer and smoking
A significant and preventable risk factor for breast cancer is smoking. Research suggests that almost half of all women are particularly vulnerable to carcinogens (substances or cancer causing agent) in tobacco and have a higher risk if they smoke cigarettes. These women have a slow-acting form of liver enzyme that normally detoxifies carcinogens. For these women, each cigarette The dice are loaded in favor of breast cancer.
Symptoms
When first developed, there may be no symptoms. But as the cancer grows, it can cause changes that women should watch for. About 85-90% of breast cancers detected clinically present with a lump in the breast; most of the 10-15% present with pain, skin or nipple retraction (5%) and nipple discharge (2%) remaining; pain or swelling in the axilla is also sometimes noted. A change in the size or shape of the breast
A change in how the breast skin, areola, or nipple looks or feels (for example, the skin may be hot, swollen, red, or scaly)

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