The cause of breast cancer is not known but we do know some risk factors. It is considered one risk factor which increases the chance of having the disease. It should be remembered that women who have higher risk of breast cancer (by having more risk factors) can take preventive measures to reduce this probability as periodic revisions or changes in your lifestyle.

RISK FACTORS

Sex
Breast cancer occurs mainly in women though. It can also affect men but the probability is much lower.

Age
Increased age leads to an increased number of cancers. 60% of breast tumors occur in women over 60 years. This percentage increases much more after 75 years.

Genes
There are two genes that, when there is a change in them (mutation), associated with an increased likelihood of developing breast cancer. These genes are called BRCA1 and BRCA2, and according to some studies it appears that between 50% and 60% of these women who have inherited mutated genes can develop cancer before the age of 70.

Family history
When a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) had breast cancer doubles the risk of suffering from it. If it is a more distant relative (grandmother, aunt, cousin) only slightly increases the risk.

Personal
Previous benign breast disease seems to increase risk in women who have a large number of mammary ducts. Still, this risk is moderate. Some abnormal breast biopsy may be related to a slightly elevated risk of breast cancer. The risk of developing cancer in the opposite breast in women who have had breast cancer is different from the first recurrence or recurrence of cancer.

Race
White women are more prone to suffer from this disease than the black, although mortality is higher in the latter, probably because they were detected in more advanced stages. Those with lower risk of suffering from it are Hispanic and Asian women.

Menstrual Periods
The sooner it begins with menstruation (before age 12), the greater the risk (two to four times) of having the disease when compared with those who started later (after 14 years). The same occurs with menopause: women with a late menopause (after 55 years) have a higher risk. Pregnancy after age 30 also increases risk. These factors, although very rare, often have little impact on cancer risk.

Factors related to lifestyle

Long-term use of contraceptives
Recent studies have shown that prolonged use of contraceptives is not related to breast cancer.

Hormone replacement
This therapy, which is used to relieve symptoms of menopause appears to increase long-term (more than 10 years) the risk of breast cancer, although studies in this regard are not conclusive dle.

Alcohol
The consumption of alcohol over the years is clearly linked to elevated risk of breast cancer.

Overweight
Excess weight seems to be associated with a higher risk of having this disease, although there is no evidence that a certain type of diet (fat diet) that increase risk.

We must bear in mind these risk factors, and avoid those that can. It should also be aware that, currently, between 70% and 80% of all breast cancers in women without risk factors apply and that only 5% to 10% have a genetic origin because it has mutated BRCA1 genes and BRCA2. At present there are very specific criteria that dictate the conduct of these tests. It is not enough, for example, have a relative with breast cancer (mother or sister) to indicate its completion.

The controls are:
During the first two years, physical examinations will be conducted every three months and an annual mammogram. Over the next three years, the physical examinations conducted every six months and mammograms will also be annual. These controls do not require any other evidence provided that the woman is asymptomatic and her doctor as appropriate. Other tests are not uncommon that a blood test, a chest X-ray radiography and bone mass. You can perform another test related to any symptoms that the patient present.

Most tumors that occur in the breast are benign, not cancerous, and are due to fibrocystic formations. The cyst is like a bag full of liquid and fibrosis is an abnormal development of connective tissue. Fibrosis does not increase the risk of developing a tumor and does not require special treatment. The cysts, if large, can be painful. The elimination of the liquid with a puncture usually remove the pain. The presence of one or more cysts is not conducive to the emergence of malignant tumors.Benign tumors are associated with the majority of genetic factors. The symptoms they produce pain and inflammation but are not spread to the rest of the body and are dangerous. Among malignant tumors, there are several types depending on the location of the breast where there is abnormal growth of cells and according to their stadium. Tumors may be localized or have spread, through blood vessels or lymphatic vessels, and have given rise to metastases, ie cancer in an organ distant to the original. Of all cases of breast cancer, only 7-10% of them presented metastasis initiation.

Type Of Breast Cancer

The types of breast cancer are classified as:-
1. Ductal carcinoma in situ arises in cells of the lining of the breast ducts. It is a very localized cancer that has not spread to other areas and has not metastasized. That is why this disease ‘premalignant’ can be removed easily. The cure rate is around 100%. This type of tumor can be detected through a mammogram.

2. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (or invasive) is the one that begins in the breast duct but manages to pass through and adipose tissue of the breast and then can spread to other parts of the body. It is the most common carcinomas of the breast, occurs in 80% of cases.

3. Lobular carcinoma in situ originates in the mammary glands (or lobes), and although not a true cancer, increases the risk that women can develop a cátumor in the future. Is often given before menopause. Once detected, it is important that women make mammography a year and control of several clinical tests to monitor the possible development of cancer.

4. Infiltrating lobular carcinoma (or invasive) begins in the mammary glands, but can spread and destroy tissues in the body. Between 10% and 15% of breast tumors are of this type. This carcinoma is more difficult to detect through a mammogram.

5. Inflammatory carcinoma is a rare cancer, only represents 1% of cancerous tumors of the breast. Is aggressive and fast growth. Blush makes the skin of the breast and raise its temperature. The appearance of the skin becomes thick, hollowed, like that of an orange, and bumps and wrinkles may appear. These symptoms are due to blockage caused by the cancer cells on the lymph vessels.

Breast cancer is a widely spoken about term today.People all around the globe are aware of the dangers of this phenomenon,and all sorts of talks,deliberations,cures,sources are always important topics to focus on.Cancer of the breast is referred to as breast cancer,and it is applicable to women in majority cases and also to men in a few instances.The occurance starts as a breast tumor which is potentially not harmful,which lying dormant if unattended to thereby spreads it’s cells to other body parts.This results in cancerous growth and has to checked with immedaitely or else can prove to be vitally dangerous.

Breast cancer is one of most common diseases in women,and recent studies have engineered huge detection centres and subsequent remedial solutions to combat this disease.If detected at an early stage,breast cancer can be nipped off in the bud easily without much complications.Breast cancer is usually of diffferent typers based on it’s stage of growth,namely invasive cancer,non-invasive ones where the tumor is yet to form into dangerous lumps and also potentially rare forms.Though the exact reasons for the disease remain yet unknown,science has come up with varoius risk factors associated with the same.

These factors include a person’s age,family or personal history of breast cancer,hormones and alcohol consumption,gene combinations,exposure to radaition and other such associated factors.Breast cancer is unlikely to occur in younger women,with elder ones after a particular age succumbing more to the disease.Also those with a previous record of having had breast cancer once and those with other women in their families having suffred from the same,stand a higher chance to have the disease more easily than others.Heredity plays a big role in some cases,with the cancerous cell or oncogen being directly transferred through generations.The female hormone estrogen has a big part to play,with women having a history of early periods,contraceptive pills,late pregnanices,late menopause being highly susceptible to breast cancer.Regular exercise and shedding of body fat can serve as protective factors in this case.

Daily consumtion of alcohol increases chances for breast cancer along with abnormal development of the breast tissue during menstrual cycles in some.Exposure to radiation or x-rays during early stages of life and unhealthy eating habits with excess consumption of body fat are also reasons for common occurances.Other factors include incresed cigarette smoking,increased abortion or miscarriage history,exposure to environmental hazards,excess body weight and so on.Breast cancer is controllable in women with mesaures such as early preganncy,regular exercising and also breast feeding for babies.

If detected at a tumor stage earlier and followed up with proper medical care,treatments for breast cancer ensures that the person lives a healthier and longer life,if not in many cases,being completely cancer free.Surgery and chemotherapy are most sought after options,depending on the patient’s body type and medical history.