Breast Cancer

Scientists discover new breast cancer risk gene

2006-11-29T19:42:00.000-08:00

Women with a faulty version of a gene called BRIP1 have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, according to the results of a Cancer Research UK funded study revealed at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference and published in Nature Genetics*.

Scientists from The Institute of Cancer Research studied the BRIP1 gene in 1212 women with breast cancer who had a family history of the disease that was not due to the known breast cancer genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2. They compared these women to 2081 healthy people. They found nine BRIP1 faults (mutations) in the breast cancer patients but only two in the healthy individuals. This indicates that the gene is linked to breast cancer more often than would be expected by chance.

The team worked out that carrying a faulty version of BRIP1 doubled a women’s risk of the disease – taking their risk by the age of 70 from one in twelve to around one in six. This discovery could help identify women at increased risk of developing breast cancer, allowing preventative measures to be undertaken and leading to better diagnosis and more tailored treatment in the future.

Inherited genetic faults are estimated to account for up to 25 per cent of familial breast cancer cases. Some of these damaged genes are well known, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, but the majority of them are as yet unidentified. Scientists decided to look at faults in the BRIP1 gene because it interacts with the known cancer causing gene, BRCA1.

Lead author Nazneen Rahman, professor of cancer genetics at The Institute of Cancer Research, said: "BRIP1 is the latest gene we have found and leads to a small increased risk of breast cancer. We know there are many more genes still to find before we have the complete picture of the genetic causes of breast cancer, but with each step we are making progress."

Having two faulty copies of the BRIP1 gene is extremely rare and this double genetic fault is a cause of Fanconi anemia – a childhood disorder that leads to bone marrow failure and leukaemia. This study looked at women who carry just one faulty copy of the BRIP1 gene who, although they are at an increased risk of breast cancer, are otherwise healthy.

BRIP1, like BRCA1 and BRCA2 is a DNA-repair gene, so women with a faulty version of this gene cannot repair damaged DNA correctly. Individuals with faulty DNA-repair genes have an increased risk of cancer because their healthy cells are more likely to accumulate genetic damage that can trigger the cell to replicate uncontrollably – causing cancer.

Only 0.1 per cent of the general UK population, around 30,000 women, carries a damaged version of the BRIP1 gene. Not all women with this genetic fault will go on to develop breast cancer but the researchers believe this particular genetic fault contributes to around 100 cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year in the UK.

Professor John Toy, Cancer Research UK’s medical director, said: "The discovery of a gene that increases breast cancer risk, even for a small number of women, is very important. Scientists are now beginning to understand more about the genes that are linked to breast cancer and we hope this knowledge will help identify and better manage more women at an increased risk of the disease in the future."

Source –

Cancer Research UK

Mammography can save you from breast cancer!

2006-09-27T08:38:00.000-07:00

With one out of eight women at risk of developing breast cancer in their life time, health experts around the world are recommending annual mammograms for all women over 40, to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Mammogram or mammography is a process widely used to examine breast to identify tumor and cysts. Mammography has a proven track record to reduce mortality from breast cancer.Mandie Acey of the Community Connection at Somerset Hospital said that mammogram is the best option available today, to identify tumors in breasts, before they start to cause symptoms.

16 Common Myths About Breast Cancer

2006-09-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

One in seven women will develop breast cancer in her life, but how much do most women really know about breast cancer?

Breast cancer specialists from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center say that misconceptions often cause women more anxiety than necessary. And in some cases the fear paralyzes women and prevents them from seeking the care that could lead to successful treatment.

Experts debunk some of the most common myths about breast cancer:

1. You only get breast cancer if you have a family history. I don't have a family history, so I don't need to worry about it.

Eighty percent to eighty-five percent of women with breast cancer have no family history of the disease. Even if no one in your family has ever been diagnosed, that's no excuse to skip your yearly mammogram. "It's important all women over 40 years old be screened for breast cancer," says Mark Helvie, M.D., U-M's director of breast imaging.

2. I'm too young to worry about breast cancer.

Breast cancer can affect women of any age. The disease is more common in post-menopausal women, but 25 percent of women with breast cancer are younger than 50. Younger women should have a yearly breast exam by their doctor and begin mammographic screening at age 40. While a breast mass in a younger woman is much less likely to be cancer than a lump in an older woman, it still needs to be checked out. At the same time, you are never too old to get breast cancer. If you feel a lump - at any age - have it checked out.

3. If I am diagnosed with breast cancer, it means I am going to die.

Doctors are doing quite well at treating breast cancer, with 10-year survival rates currently at 85 percent to 90 percent. When caught early, up to 98 percent of women survive at least five years. Breast cancer that has metastasized, or spread to other parts of the body, poses the greatest challenge, although women with metastatic breast cancer often live for years with their disease.

4. I have made it five years as a survivor, so my breast cancer won't return.

Breast cancer can recur at any time, although it is more likely to happen within the first five to 10 years: 75 percent of women who will get a recurrence see it within six years, and 25 percent recur in the 10 years after that. New hormonal therapies, including tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors, may be delaying recurrence, so that the cancer is more likely to return after the woman stops taking those drugs.

5. Chemotherapy will make me nauseated and I will be vomiting all the time.

Chemotherapy does cause nausea and vomiting. But in the last 10 years, new drugs have become available that can almost completely control nausea, and very few people have persistent nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy.

6. If I have a breast lump, it's cancer.

Most breast lumps felt are not cancer. They could by cysts or a benign condition called fibrocystic changes or fibroadenoma. Lumps could also be pre-cancerous conditions that will need some treatment. But don't let these facts lull you into complacency. All lumps should be checked thoroughly.

7. Herbal remedies and dietary supplements can help treat breast cancer.

No herbal remedy, dietary supplement or alternative therapy has been scientifically proven to treat breast cancer. Further, doctors do not know how these alternative medicines may interact with established medicines - if they cause their own side effects or interfere with the traditional therapy's effectiveness.

8. I eat a healthy diet, which will make me immune to breast cancer.

Diet does play a role in cancer development, but not by itself. No one food or vitamin will prevent breast cancer. At the same time, no one food is responsible for causing cancer. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and strive to get a variety of nutrients.

9. My mammogram was normal, so I don't have to worry about breast cancer.

While mammography does catch the vast majority of breast cancers, it is only one screening tool. Women should also have a breast exam done by their health care provider each year. If you feel a lump, always get it checked out, even if your last mammogram was clear. Also, it's important to get a mammogram every year. "The power of screening comes with regular annual exams,” Helvie says. Doctors will look at previous years' mammograms to assess changes in the breast over time."

10. I was called back for "extra views" after my mammogram. That must mean I have cancer.

Extra views may be necessary because there's a shadow on the image. A mass may turn out to be a benign cyst. Most of the time, no further tests are necessary once the new images are reviewed.

11. Mammograms are painful.

Is it comfortable? No. But it doesn't need to be excruciatingly painful, and most women will say it's not. Pre-menopausal women should schedule their exam for the first two weeks of their menstrual cycle, when their breasts are less tender. If you find mammograms are painful, talk to the technologist performing it. The amount of compression used can vary, so the technologist can ease up on the squishing if it's unbearable. Just keep in mind that more compression leads to a better image for the radiologist to read - so there's a payoff to that bit of discomfort. Don't think having a digital mammogram will get you out of it either. Digital mammography works the same as standard mammography by requiring compression.

12. If I have a breast biopsy, the surgeon might continue during that operation to remove my entire breast without telling me.

Before the biopsy operation, you will sign an informed consent form that explains exactly what procedure will be performed. Many years ago, surgeons would remove a suspicious mass, biopsy it on the spot and proceed to mastectomy if it showed signs of cancer. Today, it does not happen that way. Women have many more treatment options and a surgeon will always discuss these options with patients after a biopsy.

13. My breast lump is painful, so it must not be cancer since cancerous lumps are supposed to be painless.
Generally breast cancers are painless, but pain alone cannot rule out cancer. Some women also believe that a painless lump must not be cancer. Again, not true. There's no correlation between whether the lump is painful and whether it's cancerous. Any lump should be checked by a doctor.

14. If cancer is exposed to air during surgery, it will spread.

Surgery will not cause the cancer to spread. "The only thing that will promote cancer spread is a delay in diagnosis and failure to treat the cancer," says Lisa Newman, M.D., MPH, director of the U-M Breast Care Center.

15. Radiation therapy is dangerous and will burn my heart, ribs and lungs.

Current radiation techniques are safe and effective for treating breast cancer, with few complications. Methods used today minimize exposure to the heart, ribs and lungs. Women may experience a darkening of the skin during the course of treatment or a sunburn-like reddening. This will clear up after treatment is through.

16. Participating in a clinical trial is fine for others but not for me.

Clinical research can offer high-quality care for everyone. In all clinical trials, the minimum any woman would receive is standard treatment. In some trials, participants receive standard treatment plus a new approach, such as a new drug or a new way to use an old drug. In other studies, researchers are seeking more answers about the biology of the cancer or the effects of the treatment, so that new ideas can be generated. In these cases, patients' participation may be as simple as having an extra tube of blood drawn or answering a survey.

"I think every woman should ask her doctor, "What clinical trial can I be on?" At least they should hear the options. Through clinical trials, we will continue to take good care of patients today, and better care of their sisters and daughters in the future," says Daniel Hayes, M.D., clinical director of the U-M breast oncology program. "Studies have shown women who participate in clinical trials do better in the long run than those who do not."

Some 212,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and more than 40,000 will die from it, according to the American Cancer Society.

Source - http://www.emaxhealth.com/98/7565.html

Breast Cancer, The Cure?

2006-06-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

There is no known cure for breast cancer. More than 1.5 million people will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year worldwide.

Scientists don't know why most women get breast cancer, yet breast cancer is the most frequent tumor found in women the world over. A woman who dies of breast cancer is robbed of an average of nearly 20 years of her life. Breast cancer knows no social boundaries. It's a disease that can affect anyone. Some prominent women who's lives that have been touched by breast cancer include Jill Eikenberry actress age 52; Peggy Fleming age 49 figure skater; Kate Jackson age 50 (Charlies Angels); Olivia Newton-John age 50 actress singer; Nancy Reagan age 77 former first lady; Melissa Etheridge age 43 singer; and the beautiful Suzanne Summers actress. These high rates of breast cancer are not acceptable to the women of the world and must be met with scientific research that provides results.

Despite over a decade of research, and more than $1.7 billion spent, hundreds of women worldwide are dying from breast cancer every day. Yet doctors don't know how breast cancer starts or how to cure it. Doctors are still approaching treatment for breast cancer in the same old fashioned ways: surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Barbaric treatments? And scientists keep doing the same old redundant research that's simply not working. It doesn't have to be that way. Gen Cells Cures is a scientific biotechnology company that is focused on a cure for breast cancer. The company is dedicated to curing breast cancer before it's too late for you. We're not interested in a cure in five, ten, or twenty years from now. We want your cure for breast cancer within a year or two. We don't want you to have to under go surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or take toxic drugs.

Why Gen Cells Cures? You can search the medical journals; you can search the internet until your blue in the face. You will find the same old news which is no new news about breast cancer research and treatments. Breast cancer research is locked up in a black whole. Gen Cells Cures is approaching the cure for breast cancer from different angles and using tomorrow's scientific technologies today. Our expertise is in stem cell research and genomics. Malfunctioning stem cells have already been linked to the development of breast cancer. We're not talking about using generic stem cells from an egg and sperm cell. There is no genetic match for you with the politically controversial generic stem cells that are always in the news. The isolation of cancer stem cells, coupled with our understanding of genetic mutations causing cancer, and our knowledge of genomics will result in ways to eliminate cancer cells while sparing normal breast tissues.

http://treat-breast-cancer.info/ has more information that you need to make an informed decision. Visit today...

About the Author: Keith Londrie II is a renowned specialist in breast cancer and researc h. He provideds free information on the subject matter at his web site at http://treat-breast-cancer.info/ -

Vist to get your questions answered now.

Source: ArticleTrader.com

Dogs Smell Cancer in Patients' Breath, Study Shows

2006-06-22T07:29:00.000-07:00

Dogs can detect if someone has cancer just by sniffing the person's breath, a new study shows.

Ordinary household dogs with only a few weeks of basic "puppy training" learned to accurately distinguish between breath samples of lung- and breast-cancer patients and healthy subjects.

Our study provides compelling evidence that cancers hidden beneath the skin can be detected simply by [dogs] examining the odors of a person's breath," said Michael McCulloch, who led the research.

Early detection of cancers greatly improves a patient's survival chances, and researchers hope that man's best friend, the dog, can become an important tool in early screening.

The new study, slated to appear in the March issue of the journal Integrative Cancer Therapies, was conducted by the Pine Street Foundation, a cancer research organization in San Anselmo, California.

For more click the link below,

Cancer 'Dog'nosis

Breast Cancer Prevention Tips

2006-05-24T04:59:00.000-07:00

Despite all the 'noise' about breast cancer being one of the worst killers of women in the world today, it is annoying that most women still do not take active steps towards protecting themselves from this dreaded condition. Although, the increasing prevalence of breast cancer and perhaps other cancerous conditions has been linked to environmental factors such as the increasing levels of radiation and chemicals released into the air, water, soil and food that we consume in the civilized world; or to genetic and hereditary factors, the role of other self imposed factors cannot be ignored.

There are a lot of things every woman can do individually or collectively, to prevent breast cancer. Poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise or ingestion or hormone mimicking medications, all play crucial roles in the cause of breast cancer and any attempt at preventing this disease should begin from here.

A simple positive and optimistic attitude has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer. This will sound amazing to many people; however, it will suffice to explain that several medical studies have demonstrated the link between a positive attitude and an improved immune system. Laughter and humor has been shown to enhance the body's immunity and prevents against cancer and other diseases. You must have heard the slogan 'happy people don't fall sick'. Part of maintaining a positive attitude is learning to express your feelings. The mind is free and open and energy flows freely throughout the body when there are no accumulated pains and anxieties weighing you down.
Exercise is another tool that you will find very useful in your fight against breast cancer. Aerobic exercises, at least 3-4 times a week, constant breath work and deep body awareness (as in yoga meditation) are all effective in preventing breast cancer. Exercise has been shown to be very effective in maintaining a healthy body and mind. By exercising regularly, you will do yourself a great favour, because you will not only be preventing breast cancer, you will also be making it easier to maintain a sound mind and healthy body.

Eating healthy food is another great tool in preventing breast cancer. A great deal of cancers are caused by the chemicals and preservatives in the food we eat. Most genetically modified foods (GMO) i.e. food materials that were enhanced in the laboratory, are known to pose serious health dangers to consumers. Also, the hormone mimicking substances in contraceptive pills and other prescription pills could predispose you to cancerous growth. Thus, taking the right supplements could also be an effective tool in the fight against breast cancer.

Besides all these, self examination of the breast regularly is the number one means of detecting any changes in the breast. It is advisable to examine the breast at the same time every month; this will make it easier to spot any changes in the shape, color or texture of the breast. Common signs or changes to look out for are: lumps, thickening or knots anywhere in the breast, unusual swelling or warmth, change in size, color or texture such as reddening or darkening of the breast, itching or scaling especially on the nipple, sudden discharge, rashes, dimpling of the skin or unusual pain. Although, most of these changes might not be a sign of impending breast cancer, however, you never can tell. Forget all what you have heard, it is still possible to prevent breast cancer.

Author - Michael Russell - Your Independent guide to Breast Cancer.

Article Source: ezinearticles.com

Mammography

2006-05-15T07:25:00.000-07:00

Mammography is the process of using low-dose X-rays (usually around 0.7 mSv) to examine the human breast. It is used to look for different types of tumors and cysts. Mammography has been proven to reduce mortality from breast cancer. No other imaging technique has been shown to reduce risk, but self-breast examination (SBE) and physician examination are essential parts of regular breast care. In some countries routine (annual to five-yearly) mammography of older women is encouraged as a screening method to diagnose early breast cancer.

Like all x-rays, mammograms use doses of ionizing radiation to create this image. Radiologists then analyze the image for any abnormal growths. Despite continuous improvements and innovations, mammography has garnered a sizable opposition in the medical community because of an error rate that is still high and the amount of harmful radiation used in the procedure. (Gofinan) It is normal to use longer wavelength X-rays (typically Mo-K) than those used for radiography of bones.

Mammography has a false-negative (missed cancer) rate of at least 10 percent. This is partly due to dense tissues obscuring the cancer and the fact that the appearance of cancer on mammograms has a large overlap with the appearance of normal tissues.

At this time, mammography is still the modality of choice for screening for early breast cancer. It is the gold-standard which other imaging tests are compared with. CT has no real role in diagnosing breast cancer at the present. Ultrasound, Ductography, and Magnetic Resonance are adjuncts to mammography. Ultrasound is typically used for further evaluation of masses found on mammography or palpable masses not seen on mammograms. Ductograms are useful for evaluation of bloody nipple dischage when the mammogram is non-diagnostic. MRI can be useful for further evaluation of questionable findings, or sometimes for pre-surgical evaluation to look for additional lesions.

Source - Wikipedia.org

Long-term HRT 'ups cancer risk'

2006-05-09T06:02:00.000-07:00

Long-term use of oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) does increase the risk of breast cancer, a major study suggests.

The US study comes just weeks after research appeared to rule out any connection in the short to medium term.
Oestrogen-only HRT is usually reserved for women who have had hysterectomies, as it increases womb cancer risk

The latest study, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, examined data on nearly 29,000 women.

Research has suggested that HRT using a combination of the hormones oestrogen and progestogen may increase the risk of breast cancer.

And some studies have also suggested a similar risk is associated with the oestrogen-only form. However, a study of more than 10,000 women by Stamford University published last month found no evidence of any increased risk in women who used the therapy for up to seven years.

The latest study, by Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, followed a group of female nurses who took part in a long-term study which began in 1976. Throughout the study period, 934 women developed invasive breast cancers. Of these 226 had never used hormones, and 708 had used oestrogen therapy.

The longer a woman used oestrogen, the higher her risk of breast cancer appeared to be. Those who had been taking oestrogen for fewer than 10 years did not appear to have a higher risk than those who had never taken hormones. But those who had been taking the hormone for more than 20 years had a significantly increased risk.

For more click the link below,

Hormone Replacement Therapy & Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer in Men

2006-05-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that has developed from cells of the breast. The disease occurs primarily in women but occasionally occurs in men.

Many people do not realize that men have breast tissue and that they can develop breast cancer. Until puberty, young boys and girls have a small amount of breast tissue consisting of a few ducts (tubular passages) located under the nipple and areola (area around the nipple). At puberty, a girl's ovaries produce female hormones, causing breast ducts to grow, lobules (milk glands) to form at the ends of ducts, and the amount of stroma (fatty and connective tissue surrounding ducts and lobules) to increase. On the other hand, male hormones produced by the testicles prevent further growth of breast tissue. Men's breast tissue contains ducts, but only a few if any lobules.

Like all cells of the body, a man's breast duct cells can undergo cancerous changes. Because women have many more breast cells than men do and perhaps because their breast cells are constantly exposed to the growth-promoting effects of female hormones, breast cancer is much more common in women.

Many types of breast disorders can affect both men and women. Most breast disorders are benign (not cancerous). Benign breast tumors do not spread outside of the breast and are not life threatening. Other tumors are malignant (cancerous) and may become life threatening. Benign tumors, such as papillomas and fibroadenomas, are common in women but are extremely rare in men.

Lymphatic vessels are important structures in the breast. They are like veins, except that they carry lymph instead of blood. Lymph is a clear fluid that contains tissue fluid and waste products and immune system cells (cells that are important in fighting infections). Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped collections of immune system cells that are found along lymphatic vessels. Cancer cells can enter lymphatic vessels and spread to lymph nodes.

Most lymphatic vessels in the breast connect to lymph nodes under the arm (axillary lymph nodes). Some lymphatic vessels connect to lymph nodes inside the chest (internal mammary nodes) and either above or below the collarbone (supra- or infraclavicular nodes).

When breast cancer cells reach the axillary (underarm) lymph nodes, they may continue to grow, often causing the lymph nodes in that area to swell. If breast cancer cells have spread to the underarm lymph nodes, they are more likely to have spread to other organs of the body as well. This is why it is important to find out if breast cancer has spread to your axillary lymph nodes when you are choosing a treatment.

Benign Breast Conditions

Gynecomastia is the most common male breast disorder. It is not a tumor but rather an increase in the amount of a man's breast tissue. Usually, men have too little breast tissue to be felt or noticed. A man with gynecomastia has a button-like or disk-like growth under his nipple and areola, which can be felt and sometimes seen. Gynecomastia, common among teenage boys, is due to changes in hormone balance during adolescence. The same condition is also common in older men and is also due to changes in their hormone balance.

Rarely, gynecomastia occurs because tumors or diseases of certain endocrine (hormone-producing) glands cause a man's body to produce more estrogen (the main female hormone). Although men's glands normally produce some estrogen, it is not enough to cause breast growth. Diseases of the liver, which is an important organ in male and female hormone metabolism, can change a man's hormone balance and lead to gynecomastia. Obesity may be another cause of elevated estrogens in men.

Many commonly prescribed medicines can sometimes cause gynecomastia, too. These include some drugs used to treat ulcers and heartburn, high blood pressure, and heart failure. Men with gynecomastia should ask their doctors about whether any medicines they are taking might be causing this condition.

Klinefelter syndrome, a rare genetic condition, can lead to gynecomastia and increase a man's risk of developing breast cancer. This condition is discussed further in the section on risk factors for male breast cancer.

Types of Breast Cancer

Adenocarcinoma: Nearly all breast cancers start in the ducts or lobules of the breast. Because this is glandular tissue, they are called adenocarcinomas, a term applied to cancers of glandular tissue anywhere in the body. The 2 main types of breast adenocarcinomas are ductal carcinomas and lobular carcinomas.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): DCIS is an uncommon type of breast adenocarcinoma in men (about 10%). Cancer cells fill the ducts but do not invade through the walls of the ducts into the fatty tissue of the breast or spread outside the breast. It is almost always curable.

In situ is the term used for the early stage of cancer, when it is confined to the immediate area where it began. Specifically in breast cancer, in situ means that the cancer remains confined to ducts (ductal carcinoma in situ) or lobules (lobular carcinoma in situ). It has not invaded surrounding fatty tissues in the breast nor spread to other organs in the body.

Infiltrating (or invasive) ductal carcinoma (IDC): Starting in a duct of the breast, this type of adenocarcinoma breaks through the wall of the duct and invades the fatty tissue of the breast. At this point, it can metastasize (or spread) to other parts of the body. IDC (alone or mixed with other types of invasive or in situ breast cancer) accounts for 80% to 90% of male breast cancers.

Other Breast Cancers

Lobular breast cancers in men are very rare, accounting for only 2% of adenocarcinomas. This is because men do not usually have lobular tissue, the milk-producing glands.

Paget disease of the nipple: This type of breast cancer starts in the breast ducts and spreads to the skin of the nipple. It may also spread to the areola (the dark circle around the nipple). The skin of the nipple usually appears crusted, scaly, and red, with areas of itching, oozing, burning, or bleeding. Using the fingertips, a lump may be detected within the breast. If no lump can be felt, the prognosis (outlook for survival) is generally good. Paget disease may be associated with in situ carcinoma or with infiltrating breast carcinoma. It accounts for about 1% of female breast cancers and a higher percentage of male breast cancers. Because the male breast is much smaller than the female breast, all male breast cancers start relatively close to the nipple, so spread to the nipple is more likely.

Source - cancer.org

Types of Breast Cancer

2006-04-29T08:15:00.000-07:00

Ductal Carcinoma in-situ: Generally divided into comedo (blackhead, the cut surface of the tumor demonstrates extrusion of dead and necrotic tumor cells similar to a blackhead) and non-comedo types. DCIS is early breast cancer confined to the inside of the ductal system. The distinction between comedo and non-comedo types is important as comedocarcinoma in-situ generally behaves more aggressively and may show areas of microinvasion (small areas of invasion through the ductal wall into surrounding tissue).

The surgical management is the same as for other types of breast cancer except axillary node sampling is not done, as only 1% of these lesions will have axillary metastasis. We recommend, however, that irradiation be given if treated with conservative breast surgery to reduce the recurrence rate from 21% without irradiation, to 5%-10% with irradiation. This is a controversial area of the treatment of breast cancer.

Infiltrating Ductal: The most common type of breast cancer representing 78% of all malignancies. These lesions can be stellate (star like in appearance on mammography) in appearance or well circumscribed (rounded). The stellate lesions generally have a poorer prognosis.

Medullary Carcinoma: Comprise 15% of breast cancers. These lesions are generally well circumscribed and may be difficult to distinguish from fibroadenoma by mammography or sonography. Medullary carcinoma is estrogen and progesterone receptor (prognostic indicator) negative 90% of the time. Medullary carcinoma usually has a better prognosis than ordinary breast cancer.

Infiltrating Lobular: Representing 15% of breast cancer these lesions generally present in the upper outer quadrant of the breast as a subtle thickening and are difficult to diagnose by mammography. Infiltrating lobular can be bilateral (involve both breasts). Microscopically, these tumors exhibit a linear array of cells (Indian filing) and grow around the ducts and lobules (targeting).

Tubular Carcinoma: Orderly or well differentiated carcinoma of the breast. These lesions make up about 2% of breast cancer. They have a favorable prognosis with nearly a 95% 10-year survival.

Mucinous Carcinoma: Represents 1%-2% of carcinoma of the breast and has a favorable prognosis. These lesions are usually well circumscribed (rounded).

Inflammatory Breast Cancer: A particularly aggressive type of breast cancer the presentation is usually noted in changes in the skin of the breast including redness (erythema), thickening of the skin and prominence of the hair follicles resembling an orange peel (peau d' orange). The diagnosis is made by a skin biopsy, which reveals tumor in the lymphatic and vascular channels 50% of the time.

Source: nationalbreastcancer.org

Lymphedema

2006-04-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

Occasionally lymphedema follows treatment of a variety of cancers. It is often linked with breast cancer. (The majority of women with breast cancer will never experience lymphedema but some will)

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is swelling from the lymph fluid that builds up in the body tissues. In other words, the lymph fluid is not completely circulating through the body and builds up in one of the body tissues. The buildup (swelling) usually occurs in the arm or leg.

Why Does Lymphedema occur in breast cancer patients?

Lymphedema occurs in breast cancer patients because if the breast is removed, surgeons usually remove groups of lymph nodes and vessels from the underarm. Removing lymph vessels and nodes alters the way fluid drains in the body. In breast cancer patients, the lymphatic system struggles to remove fluid from the arm and breasts.

How can lymphedema be treated?

The patient can wear a custom made elastic pressure sleeve. The sleeve is designed to exert a specific amount of pressure on the limb and aid in fluid movement.

Other Information

Patients with lymphedema or at risk of developing lymphedema need to avoid getting an infection. They need to avoid infection because infection causes the body to make extra lymph fluid. Extra lymph fluid may cause swelling.

Source - mamashealth.com

What is Breast Cancer?

2006-04-23T05:24:00.000-07:00

Breast cancer is a type of cancer where cells in the breast tissue divide and grow without the normal control. About 80 percent of breast cancers originate in the mammary ducts, while about 20 percent arise in the lobules . Cancerous tumors in the breast usually grow very slowly so that by the time one is large enough to be felt as a lump, it may have been growing for as long as ten years.

One of the most important distinctions to understand about breast cancer is the difference between invasive cancer and carcinoma in situ (kar-sin-O-ma in SY-too).

Invasive Cancer

The more serious of the two, invasive breast cancer develops when abnormal cells from inside the lobules or ducts break out into the surrounding breast tissue. This opens the opportunity for cancer to spread to the lymph nodes and, in advanced stages, to organs like the liver, lungs and bones.

In the past, breast cancer was thought to grow in an orderly progression from a tiny tumor in the breast tissue to a larger one, sequentially traveling out to the nearby lymph nodes, then distant ones, and finally metastasizing in other parts of the body. Now, however, it is thought that cancer cells are capable of traveling from the breast through the blood and lymphatic system very early in the course of the disease, though these traveling cancer cells do not always survive beyond the tumor

Carcinoma In Situ

When abnormal cells grow inside the lobules or milk ducts but have not spread to the surrounding tissue or beyond, the condition is called carcinoma in situ. The term "in situ" means "in place" and is used to describe this condition because the abnormal cells are still "in place" inside the lobules or ducts where they first developed. There are two main categories of carcinoma in situ: ductal carcinoma in situ and lobular carcinoma in situ.

Although the word carcinoma is used in their titles, the cells involved in the different carcinomas in situ are not fully cancerous because they have not developed the ability to invade out of the ducts or lobules and metastasize. They are often referred to as precancerous conditions because they can either develop into or raise the risk of invasive cancer.

Source - komen.org

Breast cancer stages

2006-04-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

Doctors divide breast cancer into four stages. Knowing the stage helps them decide the best treatmentor combinations of treatments for you. There are many different words and phrases used to describe breast cancer staging. The first 3 stages of breast cancer are also called primary breast cancer or early stage breast cancer. This means the cancer has not spread to another part of the body (apart from the lymph nodes under the arm)

Stage 4 is also called secondary breast cancer.Effective treatment makes it less likely the cancer will go on to another stage. Many breast cancers never go beyond stage one or two. The aim of treatment is to cure the cancer and for many women with early disease this is possible.If you would like more information about anything to do with the stages of breast cancer, contact one of the cancer information organisations in Help and Support.They will be happy to help.

Stage 1
The tumour is no more than 2 centimetres across (T1)
The lymph nodes in the armpit are not affected
The cancer has not spread'Tumour' here means either a breast lump or the area of cancer cells found on your scan or mammogram.

Stage 2

The tumour is more than 2 centimetres, but less than 5 centimetres across (T2) Or the lymph nodes in the armpit are affected, or both The cancer has not spread anywhere else'Tumour' here means either a breast lump or the area of cancer cells found on your scan or mammogram.

Stage 3

The tumour is more than 5 centimetres across (T3) The lymph nodes in the armpit are affected There is no further spread'Tumour' here means either a breast lump or the area of cancer cells found on your scan or mammogram.

Stage 4

The tumour can be any size The lymph nodes in the armpit are often affected The cancer has spread or metastasised to other parts of the body (for example, lymph nodes above the collar bone or distant organs such as the lungs, liver or bones)If you only have cancer spread to the lymph nodes under your arm, you do not have stage 4 breast cancer.

Stage 4 only applies to cancer spread to other body organs or to other lymph nodes, apart from those in the armpit. Stage 4 breast cancer is also called secondary breast cancer or 'metastatic breast cancer'. Or your specialist may say your cancer 'has metastasised'.

Locally advanced breast cancer:As defined by NICE, this means the cancer has not spread to another part of the body, but the cancer in the breast is bigger than 5 centimetres across The cancer has grown into the skin or muscle of the chest There is cancer in the lymph nodes under the armLocally advanced breast cancer can be any or all of these. So it could mean either stage 2 or stage 3 breast cancer.

Source - cancerhelp.org.uk

Breast Cancer basics

2006-04-22T07:28:00.000-07:00

Breast cancer is cancer of breast tissue. Worldwide, it is the most common form of cancer in females, affecting approximately one out of eleven to twelve women at some stage of their life in the Western world. Although significant efforts are made to achieve early detection and effective treatment, about 20% of all women with breast cancer will die from the disease, and it is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in women.

Epidemiologic risk factors

It is important to have a model of causation of a disease in order to distinguish epidemiological risk factors or associations with disease, from the biological etiology and primary cause, secondary co-factors, and simple promoters of the disease given the underlying cause. By analogy in peptic ulcer disease, the cause is Helicobacter pylori, a co-factor is stomach acidity, a promoter may be aspirin which altogether produce a stomach ulcer. Each is a risk factor associated with disease, and one is the primary cause. The cause of breast cancer is not known.

Age

The risk of getting breast cancer increases with age. For a woman who lives to the age of 90 the chances of getting breast cancer her entire lifetime is about 12.5% or one in eight. Men can also develop breast cancer, but their risk is less than one in 1000 (see sex and illness). This risk is modified by many different factors. In a very small (~ 5%) proportion of breast cancer cases, there is a strong inherited familial risk. Some racial groups have a higher risk of developing breast cancer - notably, women of European and African descent have been noted to have a higher rate of breast cancer than women of Asian origin. However, these apparent racial differences diminish when geography is altered, as Asian women migrating to the western world, gradually acquire risk approaching that of western women.

The probability of breast cancer rises with age but breast cancer tends to be more aggressive when it occurs in younger women. One type of breast cancer that is especially aggressive and disproportionately occurs in younger women is inflammatory breast cancer. It is initially staged as Stage IIIb or Stage IV. It also is unique because it often does not present with a lump so that it often is not detected by mammography or ultrasound. It presents with the signs and symptoms of a breast infection like mastitis.

Genes

Two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, have been linked to the rare familial form of breast cancer. Women in families expressing mutations in these genes have a much higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who do not. Not all people who inherit mutations in these genes will develop breast cancer. Together with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (p53 mutations), these genetic aberrations determine around 5% of all breast cancer cases, suggesting that the remainder is sporadic. Genetic counseling and genetic testing should be considered for families who may carry a hereditary form of cancer.

Alcohol

Alcohol is another risk factor for the development of breast cancer. Women who drink half a glass of wine everyday have 6% increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Hormones

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France invited 21 scientists from eight countries in June 2005, to evaluate the risk of cancer for humans of combined estrogen-progesterone contraceptives and combined estrogen-progesterone menopausal therapy. The working group found that there is a small increase in the relative risk of breast cancer in current and recent users of combined oral contraceptives.

The risk decreases to that of those who have never used such combined therapy ten years after cessation of use. The scientists described combined oral estrogen-progesterone contraceptives as "carcinogenic to humans." They also found an increased risk of breast cancer in women under treatment with combined menopausal therapy, which is confined mostly to current or recent users, increases with duration of use and exceeds that in women taking estrogen-only therapy.

Other

Other established risk factors include not having children, delaying first childbirth, not breastfeeding, early menarche (the first menstrual period), late menopause, obesity and taking hormone replacement therapy.

Unproven

It has been hypothesized that abortion may increase the risk of breast cancer because of hormones in early pregnancy. Recent large studies do not support this association.

Although not well quantified there has long been a concern about risk associated with environmental estrogenic compounds, such as dioxins, or phytoestrogens such as found in soy beans.

Aluminum salts such as those used in anti-perspirants have recently been classified as metalloestrogens. In research published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, Dr. Philippa D. Darby of the University of Reading has shown that aluminum salts increase estrogen-related gene expression in human breast cancer cells grown in the laboratory.

Source - Wikipedia