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Breast Cancer Research
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There is currently a lot of interest and research linking genetics
and breast cancer. The abnormal gene, BRCA1 when inherited increases
the risk of developing breast cancer to almost 85%. Those women who
have this abnormal gene also have an increased risk of developing
ovarian cancer. The BRACA1 gene increases the risk for a woman to
develop breast cancer at an early age.
Another abnormal gene, BRACA2 increases the risk of a woman
developing breast cancer, although this does not include ovarian
cancer. It is very expensive to test for these genes and most
medical insurances do not cover the cost.
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Those women who test positive will also find difficulties obtaining
medical insurance. Those who wish to be tested should discuss their options
with their doctor as the issues around testing are very complicated.
There are also other influences that can affect the development of breast
cancer. Those women who begin their menstrual periods at an early age or
have a late menopause have a greater chance of developing breast cancer.
Having an early menopause or being older at the first menstrual period can
protect one from breast cancer.
Bearing a child before the age of 30 years can reduce the risk of breast
cancer, and unfortunately statistics show those women who have not had any
children are more likely to develop it. So far oral contraceptives have not
proved to increase or decrease a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer.
Following extensive research, it has been found there is an increase in the
risk of developing breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have been on a
combination of estrogen and progesterone replacements for several years. It
is therefore important to discuss the pros and cons with a medical
professional if you are considering any kind of hormone therapy.
Diet
can also play a role in the risk factor of breast cancer as it seems to
occur more frequently in those countries that have a higher intake of fat.
It is thought that this is due to an environmental influence rather than
being genetic. A good example to illustrate this is in Japan.
Japanese women are at a low breast cancer risk whilst they are in Japan but
their risk increases once they begin to reside in the United States where
their environment and diet tends to differ.
However, studies so far, which have compared groups of women with high and
low fat diets, have failed to show a difference in the rates of developing
breast cancer.
Breast changes such as fibrocystic are very common. Breast that are
fibrocystic are lumpy with thickened tissue and cause discomfort,
particularly before a menstrual period.
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It is important to note
however this condition does not lead to breast cancer.
There are certain types of benign changes in the breast such as
proliferative or hyperplastic, which are diagnosed via biopsy that
predispose women to later development of breast cancer. These women
should have regular breast examinations.
There are other factors which can cause breast cancer such as
radiation treatment. Although radiation can increase the development
of breast cancer, this is only following a long delay, such as 15
years. |
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