What Is Breast Cancer?

MRI scan showing cancerous mass in breast (Associated Press).

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Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women, whether in developed or developing countries, and is caused by several factors, including lifestyle and heredity. According to the World Health Organization, early detection of breast cancer remains the best way to improve the chances of recovery and reduce the mortality rate from the disease.

Each year, there are approximately 1,380,000 new cases of breast cancer, and 458,000 deaths, including 269,000 in developing countries. This means that most deaths are recorded in poor and developing countries, due to lack of awareness of the disease and delayed detection, which reduces the possibility of recovery and raises the risk of death.

Breast cancer occurs when some cells begin to grow abnormally as a result of a mutation or change in the genetic material, then spread to the rest of the breast and lymph nodes, and other parts of the body. Breast cancer usually starts in the channels of the ducts that produce milk, and may also begin in the glandular tissue in the breast.

It is believed that 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases are caused by a genetic mutation inherited across generations. Scientists have identified two genes associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, BRCA1 and BRCA2. These two genes also increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

Symptoms

• Masses in the breast or areas that are different in touch from other breast areas.
• Bloody discharge of the nipple.
• Changes in breast size or shape.
• A change in the skin's texture, such as roughness, making it feel like orange peel.
• Inverted nipple, where the nipple is retracted into the breast.
• Peeling in the breast or nipple skin.

Risk factors

• Advanced age, as the more age increases, women are more likely to develop breast cancer.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Obesity.
• Previous incidence of breast cancer, which makes women more vulnerable to the return, or "relapse", of cancer.
• Having a family history of breast cancer.
• The presence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in women, which increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
• Puberty of girls before the age of 12 years, that is, the start of her menstrual cycle before this age.
• Menopause at a later age, the higher the age of menopause in women the greater the risk of breast cancer.
• Non-pregnancy at all, as women who have not been pregnant are more susceptible to the disease than those who have been pregnant.
• Delay in having a first child. Those who have had their first child after the age of 35 are more likely to have breast cancer.
• Exposure to radiotherapy in the chest area during childhood or adolescence.
• Hormonal therapy for menopause, those who take hormone therapy, which consists of hormones estrogen and progesterone, to treat symptoms of menopause more susceptible to the disease.
• Some doctors suggest a possible role for breastfeeding in breast cancer prevention, but it is not established and needs further investigation.
• Gender, since breast cancer is more prevalent among women, but men are also vulnerable to the disease, albeit at a lower rate.

Prevention

• Refrain from alcohol.
• Exercise most days of the week for at least thirty minutes a day.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Early breast examination.
• Learn to do a breast self-examination at home.
• Check with your doctor periodically.
• Consult your doctor about early screening for breast cancer and its options.
• If you are taking hormone therapy for menopause symptoms, discuss the risks with your doctor.
• If you are a group with a high risk of breast cancer, your doctor may recommend taking a drug treatment to reduce the risk of the disease or perform mastectomy and ovaries for prevention. Discuss options with your doctor.

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