Breast cancer
DEFINITION
Breast Cancer is cancer that arises in the breast tissue. It
is the most common cancer in women and is the second leading cause
of death by cancer in women (lung cancer is the first). In the
United States, only 1% of cases of Breast Cancer occur in
men.
is the most common cancer in women and is the second leading cause
of death by cancer in women (lung cancer is the first). In the
United States, only 1% of cases of Breast Cancer occur in
men.
DESCRIPTION
Breast Cancer may begin in the milk glands or milk ducts,
fatty tissue or connective tissue. The majority (90%) of Breast
Cancers begin in the milk glands or ducts.
fatty tissue or connective tissue. The majority (90%) of Breast
Cancers begin in the milk glands or ducts.
CAUSE
Risk factors for Breast Cancer include:
- Age – chances of developing Breast Cancer increase as women
grow older. - Family history of Breast Cancer. The risk of developing Breast
Cancer doubles or triples if a first-degree relative (parent,
sibling or child) has had Breast Cancer. - Women who have had in situ Breast Cancer (contained entirely in
the breast duct) or invasive Breast Cancer (where the cancer can
spread to other tissues) are at higher risk of having Breast Cancer
develop again, often in the other breast. - Women who began menstruation early or who had an early
menopause or a late first pregnancy are at higher risk of
developing Breast Cancer. - Women taking oral contraceptives or who are on hormone
replacement therapy may be at slightly higher risk.
DIAGNOSIS
If a lump that may be cancerous is found, your Doctor will
order a biopsy where some cells from the lump are removed via a
needle attached to a syringe (aspiration biopsy) or a small piece
of tissue is removed (incisional biopsy) or the whole lump will be
removed (excisional biopsy). If cancer cells are found, more tests
will be performed to determine the nature of cancer present, as
this will affect the type of treatment used. See the Breast Cancer
Diagnosis topic on the Healthpoint for further information.
order a biopsy where some cells from the lump are removed via a
needle attached to a syringe (aspiration biopsy) or a small piece
of tissue is removed (incisional biopsy) or the whole lump will be
removed (excisional biopsy). If cancer cells are found, more tests
will be performed to determine the nature of cancer present, as
this will affect the type of treatment used. See the Breast Cancer
Diagnosis topic on the Healthpoint for further information.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
In the majority of women, Breast Cancer is first noticed as a
lump in the breast. The lump usually feels quite different from the
surrounding breast tissue and cannot be felt in the same place on
the other breast. In the early stages the lump may be quite
moveable under the skin. In more advanced stages, the lump is fixed
to the chest wall or skin and is difficult to move. There may also
be small bumps or ulcers on the breast skin or a change in the
texture of the skin (which resembles the skin of an orange,
although not orange in colour). Sometimes there will be breast pain
without a lump or the breast may be enlarged.
lump in the breast. The lump usually feels quite different from the
surrounding breast tissue and cannot be felt in the same place on
the other breast. In the early stages the lump may be quite
moveable under the skin. In more advanced stages, the lump is fixed
to the chest wall or skin and is difficult to move. There may also
be small bumps or ulcers on the breast skin or a change in the
texture of the skin (which resembles the skin of an orange,
although not orange in colour). Sometimes there will be breast pain
without a lump or the breast may be enlarged.
TREATMENT
Treatment will depend on the type of Breast Cancer present –
how fast it grows, if it is likely to spread and what effect
treatment will have. Treatment can include surgery, radiation
therapy, chemotherapy and hormone-blocking drugs or a combination
of these treatments. Ask your Doctor to clearly outline all the
treatment options available for the type of Breast Cancer you
have.
how fast it grows, if it is likely to spread and what effect
treatment will have. Treatment can include surgery, radiation
therapy, chemotherapy and hormone-blocking drugs or a combination
of these treatments. Ask your Doctor to clearly outline all the
treatment options available for the type of Breast Cancer you
have.
See the Breast Cancer Treatment , Breast Surgery, Breast
Cancer – Chemotherapy , Breast Cancer – Radiation Therapy , Breast
Prosthesis and Breast Reconstruction topics on the Healthpoint for
further information.
Cancer – Chemotherapy , Breast Cancer – Radiation Therapy , Breast
Prosthesis and Breast Reconstruction topics on the Healthpoint for
further information.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Always consult your Doctor for diagnosis and advice. In no way
is this information intended to replace the advice of a medical
practitioner.
is this information intended to replace the advice of a medical
practitioner.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
(Australia) recommends that women aged 50-69 have a mammogram every
2 years. Women who have a family history of Breast Cancer should
see their Doctor to discuss genetic screening. There is a small
benefit in mammogran screening for women aged 40-49, however, it
needs to be weighed against other factors such as age, family
history, personal concerns, personal assessment of possible risks
of mammography such as anxiety, inconvenience, cost and discomfort.
BreastScreen Australia is a national mammographic screening
programme that provides free mammograms for women throughout
Australia at various screening units across the country.
BreastScreen is targeted specifically at women aged 50-69, although
women aged 40-49 and 70 years and older are able to use this free
service.
(Australia) recommends that women aged 50-69 have a mammogram every
2 years. Women who have a family history of Breast Cancer should
see their Doctor to discuss genetic screening. There is a small
benefit in mammogran screening for women aged 40-49, however, it
needs to be weighed against other factors such as age, family
history, personal concerns, personal assessment of possible risks
of mammography such as anxiety, inconvenience, cost and discomfort.
BreastScreen Australia is a national mammographic screening
programme that provides free mammograms for women throughout
Australia at various screening units across the country.
BreastScreen is targeted specifically at women aged 50-69, although
women aged 40-49 and 70 years and older are able to use this free
service.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (Australia)
recommends that women who have a moderate to high risk of Breast
Cancer should have regular clinical breast examinations performed
by their Doctor. The College recommends that women should be
encouraged to know their breasts and what is normal for them and to
report any breast changes to their Doctor immediately.
recommends that women who have a moderate to high risk of Breast
Cancer should have regular clinical breast examinations performed
by their Doctor. The College recommends that women should be
encouraged to know their breasts and what is normal for them and to
report any breast changes to their Doctor immediately.
DIET HINTS
The European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC) is a
long-term, large-scale study of the influence of diet on cancer in
humans. The EPIC results recommend that people lose weight if
overweight or obese and have a diet that is:
long-term, large-scale study of the influence of diet on cancer in
humans. The EPIC results recommend that people lose weight if
overweight or obese and have a diet that is:
- High in fruits and vegetables.
- High in fibre.
- Low in red or processed meats.
- Low in saturated fat.
Evidence suggests that natural substances found in cruciferous
vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and
cabbage may lower overall cancer risk. Other cruciferous vegetables
include rocket, watercress, garden cress, kale, bok choy, radish,
horseradish and wasabi.
vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and
cabbage may lower overall cancer risk. Other cruciferous vegetables
include rocket, watercress, garden cress, kale, bok choy, radish,
horseradish and wasabi.
- For information regarding diet hints during cancer therapy,
please refer to the Cancer – Chemotherapy and Cancer – Radiotherapy
topics on the Healthpoint.
VITAMINS/MINERALS/HERBS
Always consult your Doctor before taking any dietary
supplements for advice on any possible side effects or drug
interactions.This is particularly important during cancer therapy,
as many chemotherapy drugs act by blocking the effects of certain
vitamins.
supplements for advice on any possible side effects or drug
interactions.This is particularly important during cancer therapy,
as many chemotherapy drugs act by blocking the effects of certain
vitamins.
- Carotenoids are nutrients that may have the capacity to inhibit
the growth of cancer cells and may help convert abnormal cancerous
cells into normal cells. Important carotenoids are beta-carotene,
alphacarotene, and lycopene. Women with breast cancer have been
shown to often have lower levels of beta-carotene in their
blood. - Grape Seed Extract contains antioxidants which can help to
control cellular damage. It may neutralise cell mutations that can
lead to tumor formation possibly delaying the progression of breast
cancer. - Omega-3 fatty acids contain fats which may protect against
cancer. - Vitamin A is an immune system booster which may provide benefit
in combating breast cancer.
ORGANISATIONS & SUPPORT GROUPS
See the Australian Cancer Society topic on the
Healthpoint.
Healthpoint.
PHARMACIST’S ADVICE
Ask your Pharmacist for advice.
- Follow the diet hints.
- Quit smoking. Ask your Pharmacist for information and products
designed to help you quit. - Your Pharmacist can offer advice about the side effects of
chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Your Pharmacy stocks a range of low
irritant skin washes, mouthwashes etc. - Discuss any medications you may be taking with your Pharmacist
. He/she can advise you about their effects and any potential
problems or side effects. - Recent studies indicate that strenuous exercise in youth might
provide life-long protection against Breast Cancer and that even
moderate physical activity as an adult can lower breast cancer
risk. - See the Vitamins/Minerals/Herbs section of this topic and ask
your Pharmacist for advice on the supplements recommended.