Breast cancer originates in the cells that form the mammary glands and their ducts.

There are many different types of breast cancer, but most often there is a carcinoma of the mammary ducts.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in women. Breast cancer is predominantly a female disease. In the general statistics, only 1% of breast cancer patients are men. Among the 300 million people in the US, more than 200. 000 women, and about 40. 000 a year dies from this disease.

Public support and attention from the authorities in recent decades have helped to significantly improve the treatment methods and prognosis for breast cancer patients. Survival of patients has increased due to the popularization of early cancer diagnosis, as well as through innovative treatment. About all this we will tell in our article.

Causes of Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer occurs when the cells of the mammary glands or milk ducts mutate, acquiring the properties of cancer cells. Such cells can quickly multiply, form a tumor and penetrate into other organs and tissues. The cause of mutations remains unknown, but an important role in this process belongs to heredity.

The researchers analyzed the medical history of thousands of patients, which revealed the risk factors for breast cancer. It is not entirely clear why, but some women with risk factors do not have cancer, and other women without risk factors may develop a disease. It is believed that cancer causes a complex combination of internal factors (genetics) and external factors (environment).

The main threat is a burdened heredity. Doctors believe that 5 to 10% of cases of breast cancer is associated with genetic mutations that are inherited. Many defective genes have been discovered that increase the risk of breast cancer. The most common are the breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and the breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2). Both are associated with a high risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

If a woman has relatives who have suffered from these types of cancer, then it is recommended to pass a DNA test that identifies a defective BRCA gene or other inherited problems. But it is worth remembering that the inherited mutant gene does not yet mean a 100% chance of cancer. Many women with burdened heredity live a long life, and not getting cancer.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors.

Among the proven risk factors are:.

• Female. 99% of breast cancer patients are women. Men naturally have very little breast tissue, so breast cancer is extremely rare in them.

• Age. With age, the likelihood of this type of cancer increases. Women over 55 have an especially high risk of breast cancer. According to the American experts, women under the age of 40 account for only 15% of cases.

• Carried cancer in the past. If a woman had cancer in one breast, then there is an increased risk of developing cancer in the second breast.

• Weighed down family history. If the mother, sister or daughter had breast cancer, the probability of cancer in women increases. But the absence of sick relatives does not mean that a woman can not get cancer.

• Hereditary genetic mutations. The mutations BRCA1 and BRCA2, as well as a number of other, more rare mutations, greatly increase the risk of disease.

• Impact of radiation. If a woman received radiation therapy for another cancer (in the chest area), the probability of the disease in the future increases.

• Obesity. Excess weight increases the risk of breast cancer because fat cells produce estrogen involved in the formation of certain tumors.

• Early onset of menstruation. If a woman's menstruation has started before 12 years, then she is at risk of breast cancer, as well as endometrial cancer.

• The late onset of menopause. If menopause occurs after age 55, the likelihood of breast cancer and endometrial cancer increases, because the body has been exposed to estrogen for longer.

• First deliveries at a late age. At risk are women who have given birth to their first child after 35 years.

• Replacement hormone therapy (HRT) after menopause. The risk of breast cancer increases in women taking estrogen and progesterone in menopause.

• Alcohol consumption. The use of even a small amount of alcohol by a woman increases the likelihood of breast cancer. Experts recommend that women abstain from alcohol or be modest.

Other factors today are only suspected; researchers need more time to confirm their role.

medbe. en.