breast cancer awareness & information

what is breast cancer?

E very day, cells in the body divide, grow and die. Most of the time, cells divide and grow in an orderly manner, but sometimes cells grow out of control.This kind of growth of cells forms a mass or lump called a tumor.Tumors are either benign or malignant. > Benign [bee-NINE] tumors Benign tumors are not cancerous.When these tumors are removed, they typically do not reappear.The cells of a benign tumor do not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body. > Malignant [ma-LIG-nant] tumors Malignant tumors are made of abnormal cells and are cancerous. Malignant tumor cells can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. A malignant tumor that develops in the breast is called breast cancer.

How does breast cancer grow and spread?

To grow, malignant breast tumors need to be fed. They get nourishment by developing new blood vessels in a process called angiogenesis.The new blood vessels supply the tumor with nutrients that promote growth. As the malignant breast tumor grows, it can expand into nearby tissue.This process is called invasion. Cells can also break away from the primary, or main, tumor and spread to other parts of the body.The cells spread by traveling through the blood stream and/or lymphatic system.This process is called metastasis.When malignant breast cells appear in a new location, they begin to divide and grow out of control again as they create another tumor. Even though the new tumor is growing in another part of the body, it is still called breast cancer.The most common locations of metastatic breast cancer are the lungs, liver, bones and brain.

Why does breast cancer grow?

We all have genes that control the way our cells divide and grow.When these genes do not work like they should, a genetic error, or mutation, has occurred. Mutations may be inherited or spontaneous. Inherited mutations are ones you were born with — an abnormal gene that one of your parents passed on

to you at birth. Inherited mutations of specific genes, such as the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer and other cancers. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor-suppressor genes. See below to learn about how these genes should work and what happens when they are mutated. Inherited mutations account for about 5 to 10 percent of all breast-cancer cases in the U.S. Spontaneous mutations occur within your body during your lifetime. Spontaneous mutations account for about 90 to 95 percent of all breast-cancer cases in the U.S.The actual causes of mutations remain unknown.

Researchers have identified two types of genes that are important to cell growth. Errors in these genes turn normal cells into cancerous ones.

> Oncogene — When functioning properly, this gene “turns on,” or starts, normal cell division and growth. When mutated, the gene does not stop cell growth when it should, and the cell grows out of control.

> Tumor-suppressor gene — Normal tumor-suppressor genes “turn off,” or stop, normal cell division and growth. When mutated, the gene does not work, and cell growth continues out of control.

But remember …

Cells can grow out of control before any symptoms of the disease appear.That is why breast screening to find early changes is so important. If breast cancer is found early, there are more treatment options and an improved chance for survival. Susan G. Komen recommends that women 40 and older have a mammogram every year.

If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, talk with your doctor about your personal risk, including when to start getting mammograms and how often to have them. If your mother or sister had breast cancer before menopause, you may need to start getting mammograms or other tests and yearly clinical breast exams before age 40. It is important for all women to have clinical breast exams at least every three years, starting at age 20, and every year after age 40. — Information courtesy of Susan G. Komen for the Cure