Breast Cancer Info
The information contained on this site is a compilation of resource materials from leading cancer organizations both in the U.S. and Canada. It is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for individual consultation with your own physician or health-care provider.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer occurs almost exclusively in women, with less than 1% of cases in Japan occurring in men. Although it certainly does happen, it is rare for breast cancer to appear in women under 30 years old and becomes increasingly common after age 50. It can have all the characteristic features of other forms of cancer.
When a mass, lump or thickening is found in the breast-either by breast self-examination (BSE), a clinical breast exam or mammography-it will be investigated to determine if it is benign or malignant.
Benign breast lumps
Most breast lumps are benign, not cancerous, and are caused by fibrocystic changes. Benign tumors cannot spread beyond the breast tissue to other organs and are not life-threatening.
Malignant (cancerous) breast lumps
Usually, the cancerous tumor originates from the cells of milk sacs or ducts, but can arise from the supporting structure. There is much room for variation in its development, including discharge or bleeding from the nipple. While there are exceptions, cancerous breast tissue tends to be present as a hard mass in the breast, and is painless.
Risk factors in breast cancer
We do not know yet the cause of breast cancer- in fact, many women will develop the disease for no other reason than the fact that they are female. However, research is augmenting our knowledge daily and some specific factors have been identified as potential risk factors.
These include:
- More than one first-degree relative (mother, sister) has had breast cancer
- Past history of breast cancer or previous breast biopsy
- Early menstruation (before age 12)
- Women who have had no children or their first child after age 30
- Use of alcohol (over 2 - 5 drinks a day)
- While the impact of diet and weight is still being investigated, evidence suggests a high intake of dietary fat may be related to an increased incidence of breast cancer.
How can you protect yourself from breast cancer?
Breast cancer cannot be prevented, but the earlier the cancer is found, the more successful the treatment. No one detection method is foolproof. The Run for the Cure® Foundation promotes the triad approach to breast health: breast self-examination (BSE) performed monthly, clinical breast examination performed annually by a qualified healthcare professional and mammography every two years beginning at age 30.
Triad approach to breast health = BSE + Clinical Breast Exam + Mammography
BSE: BSE stands for breast self-examination, a routine examination of both breasts by oneself, usually performed monthly. Familiarity with one's breasts through BSE raises the likelihood of detecting any change or abnormality.
Clinical breast exam: A clinical breast exam is performed by a qualified healthcare professional, often part of an annual check-up. If this is not routinely done, ask your physician/gynecologist to include it.
Mammography: A mammogram is a safe, low-dose x-ray picture of the breast that can detect cancerous lumps so small they cannot be felt by breast self-examination.
Self Examination
Why, When and How
Monthly breast self-examination (BSE) includes both looking and feeling over the entire breast and chest area. The steps can be performed in any order, but each step is important. Women should use the pads, not the tips, of the three middle fingers when performing BSE. The time required to perform the exam varies with the size and features of a woman's breasts, but usually only takes about 15 to 20 minutes each month. Women should be sure to examine the breasts in the same manner each month, check the entire breast and armpit area, and remember how the breasts feel from month to month. Some women prefer to keep a small diary of their monthly breast self-examinations.
When to self-examine
Menstruating women: Women who are menstruating should perform a breast self-examination from a few days to about a week after menstruation (period) has ended, when breasts are usually less tender or swollen.
Women who are no longer menstruating should do their BSE on the same day every month. Try to pick a day that is easy to remember, such as the first or fifteenth of every month, and make that the day each month for a breast self-examination.
How to self-examine
- Raise arms in front of a mirror and examine for irritation, swelling or discharge.
- While taking a shower or bath, gently explore with fingertips the breast and underarm areas for lumps.
- Examine thoroughly, and remember how it feels. Follow patterns shown above when examining the breast.
- Spiral or ring pattern, making concentric rings that tighten in a spiral, starting on the outer edges of the breast and ending around the nipple
- Vertical or "up and down" pattern (or "squares") covering the entire breast
- Wedge patterns in and out (or "quadrants")
- Lie with one arm tucked behind the head and, with the other hand, examine the opposite breast.
Breast self-exams should be performed once each month beginning at age 20 and continue each month throughout a woman's lifetime.
If you find any changes or abnormalities, contact your doctor immediately. Some abnormalities cannot be detected by touch alone. Therefore, it is recommended that women receive a mammography exam once a year.