The Anatomy of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. As such women are increasing their awareness of this type of cancer. They are exploring their resources as to information and fact about breast cancer. Women also are preoccupied in trying to understand the causes and the probable aftermath if they could feel lumps or nodes around their breasts.

Every month as women experience menstruation, the breasts go through some temporary changes. Lumps or bumps may form. This is generally happens during the monthly period and it is not considered cancerous. But it is still safe to have the lumps examined as soon as possible.

Lumps are ordinarily found in the lobules. The lobules are pouchlike structure found in the breast filled with milk. They also serve as ducts or tubes that carry milk to the nipple. Culling from this fact are the two main categories of breast cancer. They are lobular and ductal carcinomas.

Breast cancer usually starts with the formation of growth and restricted tumor. Majority if these tumors are benign meaning they do not attack other tissues. But there are others which are malignant or cancerous. Malignant tumors have the latent possibility to spread or metastasize to other parts of the body by way of the blood or lymphatic vessels or membranous surfaces. Breast cancer has varying degrees in growth and spread. Some take years to spread to other parts of the body some twice as fast.

What causes the lumps and bumps to become malignant is not quite clear. The main risk factors are already in the awareness of the public. But just the same women who are well thought-out to be at high risk do not exactly comprehend the happening. At the same time women who do get it have no known risk factors.

Significantly the risk factors considered are advancing age and genetics. Women who have a history of breast cancer in the family are most likely at risk to develop breast cancer. Benign breast lump found in women have all the probabilities to develop into full-blown breast cancer. It also increases significantly for women who were previously diagnosed to have breast cancer or ovarian cancer.

Nearly women who have first degree relatives affected by breast cancer are the first in line in risk factors. They are more likely to develop breast cancer as compared to other women who have none. Having the gene, called BRCA1 and BRCA2, a woman is inclined to breast cancer but this does not necessarily assure that she will get it.

Breast cancer can also involve men. Nevertheless, the men account for only on-half of one percent of all cases. But still it is necessary for men who feel lumps or bumps on their breast to have their breast screened for possible malignant tumors. Prevention is better than a pound of cure.

Breast cancer is practically the most widespread type of cancer among women and the second leading cause of cancer deaths behind lung cancer.