Breast Cancer

[Section]

Breast Cancer

Introduction

Breast cancer is one of the forms of the deadly syndrome, cancer. The place from where it initiates are the breast cells, more precisely the inner lining of milk duct or the lobules. This is the part from where lactation takes place. A tumor can grow at this part and will eventually spread to other parts of the body. Lobular carcinoma is a cancer that will initiate from the lobules whereas Ductal carcinoma initiates from the ducts. Breast cancer appears to be very common among the females all over the world (MNT, 2013).

There are 18.2% deaths worldwide due to cancer, accounting for 22.9% female deaths due to breast cancer. When comparing the statistics between developed and developing countries, it is observed that breast cancer is more common in the developed states. It has also been observed that breast cancer is most common in elderly women who have life expectancy greater in rich countries than in poor. Many factors contribute to breast cancer; lifestyle can also be one of them. The breast contains billions of cells; they can multiply uncontrollably forming a tumor which can then spread. Breast cancer is of different types; its stages vary from early cancer that is curable to non-curable cancer (Greenlee, 2000).

Discussion

Causes of Breast Cancer

Many factors contribute to the development of breast cancer however, it is still not confirmed that how the cells in the breast become cancerous. It has been found that hormones and DNA play a role in the development of these cells. Experts are still not sure about the deference in the probability of some people developing breast cancer and some are not. Some of the causes of breast cancer include: age as there is a high risk of developing breast cancer in older women aged 50 years and above. This means that breast cancer probably occurs after the menopause. Some people inherit this malady; people having relatives with this cancer tend to develop this tumor (MNT, 2013).

However, hereditary breast cancers are not common. Genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are inherited, and women who carry these genes are most likely to develop breast cancer (www.cancer.org). It is also a fact that women who had breast cancer have a probability of developing the disease again. Moreover, the chances of developing breast cancer are greater in women who have dense breast tissues and whose menstrual cycle started earlier. Other facts related to the causes of breast cancer include: height, it is observed that women taller than average height are more likely to develop this cancer. Furthermore, alcohol consumption and people who are exposed to radiations suffer from this malady (Johnsson, 2010).

Signs and Symptoms

Soon after someone develops breast cancer, symptoms become apparent. A lump in the breast is the most common sign of breast cancer, there are lumps in the breast sometimes due to any other reasons but when the lump becomes painful and over time increases in size than it indicates malignancy and requires immediate visit to the ...