Breast Cancer »Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. »The disease occurs almost entirely in women,but men can get it, too.

CAUSES »Doctors know that breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin growing abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do. The accumulating cells form a tumor that may spread (metastasize) through your breast, to your lymph nodes or to other parts of your body. »Breast cancer may also begin in the milk glands known as lobules (invasive lobular carcinoma) within the breast »It's likely that breast cancer is caused by a complex interaction of your genetic makeup and your environment »Doctors know that breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin growing abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do. The accumulating cells form a tumor that may spread (metastasize) through your breast, to your lymph nodes or to other parts of your body. »Breast cancer may also begin in the milk glands known as lobules (invasive lobular carcinoma) within the breast »It's likely that breast cancer is caused by a complex interaction of your genetic makeup and your environment

symptoms »swelling of all or part of the breast »skin irritation or dimpling »breast pain »nipple pain or the nipple turning inward »redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin »swelling of all or part of the breast »skin irritation or dimpling »breast pain »nipple pain or the nipple turning inward »redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin

INCIDENTS » The last stats show that just under 200,000 women have breast cancer. »Incidence per 100,000-U.S »Gender-male female »Just under 7% of all breast cancer cases occur in women under 40 years old »The size, stage, rate of growth, and other characteristics of the tumor determine the kinds of treatment. » The last stats show that just under 200,000 women have breast cancer. »Incidence per 100,000-U.S »Gender-male female »Just under 7% of all breast cancer cases occur in women under 40 years old »The size, stage, rate of growth, and other characteristics of the tumor determine the kinds of treatment.

Inheritance »The initial mutation can be inherited from one's parents (familial breast cancer) or occur after conception (sporadic breast cancer). »Inherited gene mutations play a role in about 27% of all cases of breast cancer. »These mutated genes can act alone and the families that carry either of these mutations may have as many as half of their women members with breast cancer. »The initial mutation can be inherited from one's parents (familial breast cancer) or occur after conception (sporadic breast cancer). »Inherited gene mutations play a role in about 27% of all cases of breast cancer. »These mutated genes can act alone and the families that carry either of these mutations may have as many as half of their women members with breast cancer.

Diagnosis »Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) »Mammograms »Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) »Elastography »Pathology Tests »Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) »Mammograms »Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) »Elastography »Pathology Tests

Treatment »Chemotherapy medicines to kill cancer cells »Radiation therapy to destroy cancerous tissue »Surgery to remove cancerous tissue -- a lumpectomy removes the breast lump; mastectomy removes all or part of the breast and possible nearby structures »Hormonal therapy to block certain hormones that fuel cancer growth »Chemotherapy medicines to kill cancer cells »Radiation therapy to destroy cancerous tissue »Surgery to remove cancerous tissue -- a lumpectomy removes the breast lump; mastectomy removes all or part of the breast and possible nearby structures »Hormonal therapy to block certain hormones that fuel cancer growth

Support »Susan G. Komen for the Cure »Breast Cancer Support »National Breast Cancer Foundation »Men Against Breast CancerMen Against Breast Cancer