Symptoms of Breast Cancer & Screening
Cancer Research Facts From the American Cancer Society
May 1, 2009
“The goal of screening [breast cancer] exams, such as a mammogram, is to find cancers before they start to cause symptoms,” according to The American Cancer Society. The (author unknown) article is titled, “Can Breast Cancer Be Found Early?” The article is published on The American Cancer Society web site, and is dated 03/02/2009.
Breast Cancer Symptoms
The first symptom of breast cancer, according to The American Cancer Society article, is a lump that can be felt in the breast. The article advises, “Breast cancers...[that] can be felt tend to be larger [than lumps that cannot be felt] and are more likely to have already spread beyond the breast.” The breast cancers detected by screening are usually smaller lumps, that cannot be felt, and pose a lower risk of having spread beyond the breast. The article advices to have breast cancer screening prior to symptoms. According to the American Cancer Society early breast cancer is usually symptom-free.
Breast Cancer Statistics
Breast cancer statistics show “...early detection tests for breast cancer save many thousands of lives each year...” according to the American Cancer Society article. Women, ages 20 to 30, should arrange for a clinical breast exam (CBE) every 3 years. Women 40+ should have a mammogram every year throughout life, if their health is good.
All women, regardless of age, with high risk factors should get an MRI and mammogram once a year. All women with moderate risk factors should consult with their physician about the benefits and limitations of MRI screening, and have a breast exam each year. Women with low risk factors should not have an MRI yearly. To determine a screening schedule, women should consult with their doctor, according to the article.
Breast Cancer Causes & Risk Factors
The article, “Can Breast Cancer Be Found Early?” names the high and moderate risk factors for breast cancer. The high risk factors are:
- A known BRCA1 (symbol for a breast cancer gene. If gene is defective its unable to prevent spread of abnormal cells which could evolve into breast cancer), or BRCA2 (A tumor suppressor gene) gene mutation.
- Have a parent, brother, sister, or child with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation who has not had a genetic test.
- A lifetime risk factor (20%-25%+) based mainly on family history.
- Radiation therapy to chest between ages 10-30.
- Have Li-Fraumeni, Cowden, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndromes, or these syndromes in first-degree relatives.
The American Cancer Society article lists the moderate risks:
- Have lifetime risk of breast cancer (15%-20%) based mainly on family history.
- Have a history of breast cancer, ductal carcinoma (a malignant new growth). Ductal carcinoma (DCIS) is a group of abnormal cells only in the breast ducts in situ (in its original place). Lobular carcinoma (LCIS) in situ (a type of precancerous tumor or any new and abnormal growth) found in the bumps or bulges of mammary glands. Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) (abnormal increase in the number of normal cells), or atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH).
- Have very dense breasts or uneven dense breasts when detected by mammogram.
The advice of the American Cancer Society is to get breast cancer screening before any symptoms. A doctor should be consulted in order for women to determine their risk factors for breast cancer causes. Another (author unknown) article, by the American Cancer Society, titled “What Causes Breast Cancer?” states that overweight and obese women increase their risk factors for breast cancer. The article, dated 03/25/2009, also says that exercise fitness will help lessen breast cancer risks. The article can be found by typing the title in the American Cancer Society search box.
 |
