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Basic Information About Breast Cancer
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While breast cancer is a terrible disease that
affects a vast cross-section of the population, few people know much
information about exactly what causes the disease. In this article, we’ll
give a basic outline of how breast cancer develops as well as some other
basic information.
To understand breast cancer fully, you need to
understand the actual composition of breasts. Breasts are made of entities
known as lobes. These lobes contain smaller ‘lobules’, which are miniature
lobes which contain glands that produce milk. When nursing, milk comes from
the lobules and through ducts that bring the milk to the nipple.
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Lymph nodes are also contained in the
breast, which are used by the body to help expel harmful bacteria, cancerous
cells, and other dangerous entities. Besides these basic parts, the rest of
the breast is composed of fat tissue.
Now that you can see exactly what the breast is
composed of, it’s time to discuss what causes cancerous cells to be created.
Cancerous cells are formed when normal cells grow and divide improperly.
This can be due to the creation of new cells when the body does not find
them necessary or the extended life of old cells which were expected by the
body to die. These unnecessary cells can sometimes split off and multiply,
causing a growth or a tumor. There are two types of tumors: benign and
malignant. Benign tumors, while ominously named, are not cancerous. They are
rarely life threatening and can usually be removed. Benign tumors tend to
not spread to other parts of the body, making them easy to contain.
Malignant tumors, on the other hand, represent the formal term for cancer.
The risks caused by these growths can be very dire; while they can often be
removed, they are known to grow back. They can also spread, or metastasize,
to other parts of the body, causing immense trauma to your health.
Breast cancer in itself usually begins in the
lymph nodes of the breast. Breast cancer is one of the cancers that are
known to spread throughout the body; the bones of the body, the liver, the
lungs and the brain are some of the more common organs that breast cancer
may spread to. When the cancer spreads, it does not form a new type of
cancer – it is a new infection of breast cancer, just in a different
location of the body. Breast cancer most commonly occurs in women who are
over the age of 40. Younger women and even men can be afflicted with breast
cancer, but those 40 and over need to take particular care.
It is recommended by doctors for women 40
and up to get a mammogram once per year. Early detection is the key to
surviving breast cancer.
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If the cancer is allowed enough
time to metastasize, it becomes a much more serious problem to
contain. It is also advised to regularly get a breast exam; this is
a quick 10 minute procedure which can be done by your doctor. In
addition, you can perform self-exams in the home by following a few
simple steps. Common symptoms that may accompany breast cancer
include a change in appearance of the breast or nipple. The nipple
may be inverted, turning inwards towards the breast, or the breast
may suddenly change shape or size. Nipple discharge is also a
symptom of breast cancer. If you think these symptoms apply to you,
seek a health care professional’s opinion immediately. |
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