Breast Cancer 101 -- What You Need To Know

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Breast Cancer 101: What You Need To Know

From: Sarah Karl 3 days 7 hours 31 minutes ago

"If caught early, breast cancer is one of the most
treatable cancers."

That's the good news from Dr. Dahlia Black, a practicing breast surgeon at the Hoffberger Breast Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. Dr. Black specializes in the detection, prevention and treatment of Breast Cancer. Glam sat down with her to learn what women can do to protect themselves -- and to answer your basic questions about this disease.

Q: What is breast cancer?

A: “Breast cancer is the uncontrolled growth of malignant cells within the breast. It can be a pre-invasive cancer or an invasive cancer. Pre-invasive is when the malignant cells are still within the ducts and tubes of the breast. Invasive is when the malignant cells have broken into the fatty surrounding breast tissue. “

Q: What are symptoms of breast cancer? A: “Oftentimes women will have no symptoms at all. And most breast cancers don’t hurt. If someone has a tiny-pre-invasive or small invasive breast cancer, it may show as just an abnormality on the mammogram. That’s why it’s important to get yearly mammogram screenings. The American Cancer Society sets the guidelines for Mammograms to start at age 40 and yearly thereafter. If you are high risk – meaning if you have a first degree relative who had breast cancer early – pre menopausal, then you might start mammograms ten years before they (your family members) were diagnosed. ”

Q: What are you looking for with home breast exams?
A: “During your monthly exam, make sure you don’t have masses, clear or bloody nipple discharge, skin changes, redness or skin retraction, or dimpling or nipple flaking – which can be a sign of a more aggressive breast cancer or an advanced breast cancer.”

Q: What Causes Breast Cancer?

A: “We don’t know what actually causes breast cancer – we don’t’ have that instigating trigger point. But we know of risk factors:

1. Women – Being a woman increases your odds of getting breast cancer.

2. Age – The older we get, the higher the chance we’ll get breast cancer because we have been exposed to estrogen longer through our menstrual cycles. Estrogen is a hormone that can stimulate the breast cells and make those cells abnormal, but we don’t fully understand why.

3. Hormone replacement therapy -- Taking hormone replacement therapy for more than 5 years increases your risk of breast cancer. 4. Genetic Abnormalities -- People who have certain gene mutations are more likely to get breast cancer.

5. Family History -- If you have a strong family history of breast cancer the odds you’ll get it are increased. ”

Q: Is there a link between birth control pills and breast cancer?

A: “Older pills had higher levels of estrogen and progesterone and those pills taken over a longer period of time were linked with a slight increase in risk for breast cancer. were previously linked with duration—slight increase Newer birth control pills however, have with lower estrogen are supposed to be safe. They have not shown a link between duration of time taking them and breast cancer. ”

Q: What are some common myths about breast cancer?

A: “These are the most common myths, but they are untrue:

If there’s no breast cancer on your mom’s side, you don’t have to worry – UNTRUE

Men don’t get breast cancer – UNTRUE

If you don’t have any of the risk factors listed above, you don’t have to worry – UNTRUE

Hair dyes and deodorant can cause breast cancer -- UNTRUE

Breast cancer is a death sentence – UNTRUE – If treated early, breast cancer is one of the most treatable cancers.”

Q:How do you diagnose breast cancer?

A: “Each patient should have a clinical breast exam once a year. Women under 40 should get a good breast exam with their annual exam. Women over 40 should get yearly mammograms Women who have a family history of breast cancer should start getting annual mammograms 10 years earlier than the age when their family member was diagnosed. ”

Q: What are the best things you can do to lower your risk of getting breast cancer?

A:
1.       “Maintain a healthy weight. People who are obese have a higher rate of getting breast cancer.

2.       Regulate your alcohol intake. Drinking more than 2-3 drinks a day can increase your risk for getting breast cancer.

3.       Talk to your doctor about limited the number of years you are on estrogen replacement therapy.

4.       If you’re at high risk or have had abnormal cells, ask your doctor about Tamoxifan

5.       Know your body, monitor changes and get your annual exam”

Q: What are the some of best resources for women seeking more information on breast cancer?

A:
“The National Cancer Institute www.nci.nih.gov         Breastcancer.org
The Susan G. Komen Foundation www.komen.org The American Cancer Society www.cancer.org”