888-765-5400WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?
Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts from cells of the breast. The disease occurs mostly in women, but men can get breast cancer as well. The information referenced in this post only pertains to breast cancer in women. A woman’s breast is made up of glands that make breast milk (lobules), ducts (small tubes that connect lobules to the nipple), fatty and connective tissue, blood vessels, and lymph (pronounced limf) vessels. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts (ductal carcinoma), some begin in the lobules (lobular carcinoma), and the rest in other tissues.
Lymph vessels are like veins, except that they carry lymph fluid instead of blood. Lymph is a clear fluid that contains immune system cells and waste products. Lymph vessels lead to small, bean-shaped collections of tissue called lymph nodes. Most lymph vessels of the breast lead to lymph nodes under the arm. These are called axillary (AX-uh-lair-ee) nodes. If breast cancer cells reach the underarm lymph nodes and continue to grow, they cause the nodes to swell. Once cancer cells have reached these nodes they are more likely to spread to other organs of the body.
Aside from being female, age is the most important factor affecting breast cancer risk. Moderate or vigorous physical activity, maintaining a healthy body weight, having first child before age 30, breastfeeding, and avoiding alcohol or drinking less than two drinks each day are all associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.
Finding breast cancer early, when it is most treatable, can mean the difference between life and death. This is why the American Cancer Society has developed guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer. Hope for a world without breast cancer starts with us … and that means knowing and following these guidelines. Finding breast cancer early can save lives.
The American Cancer Society breast cancer screening guidelines are for women at average risk for cancer (unless otherwise specified) and without any specific symptoms.
Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
A breast exam by a doctor or nurse should be part of a periodic health exam, about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and older.
Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast change to their doctor without delay. Breast self-exam is an option for women starting in their 20s.
Certain women, because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors should be screened with MRI in addition to mammograms. (The number of women who fall into this category is small: it is less than 2 percent of all the women in the US.) If you think you are at higher risk for breast cancer, please talk with your doctor about your history and whether you should have an MRI. For more information on breast cancer screening, please call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345, anytime, day or night..
Watch for Signs and Symptoms:
The earliest sign of breast cancer is usually something seen on a mammogram before the woman or health care professional can feel it. Larger tumors may become noticeable as a breast lump, thickening, swelling, distortion, tenderness, skin irritation, dimpling, nipple pain, scaliness, ulceration, retraction, or spontaneous discharge. All suspicious lumps or breast changes should be checked by your doctor.
Know the Risk Factors:
Aside from being female, age is the most important factor affecting breast cancer risk. About 77 percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are age 50 or older. About 18 percent of breast cancer diagnoses are among women in their 40s. Risk is also increased by:
- Inherited genetic mutations (BRCA1 and BRCA2)
- A personal or family history of breast cancer
- High breast tissue density (a mammographic measure of the amount of glandular tissue relative to fatty tissue in the breast)
- Biopsy-confirmed hyperplasia (especially atypical hyperplasia)
- High-dose radiation to the chest as a result of medical procedures
- Reproductive factors including a long menstrual history (menstrual periods that start early and/or end late in life), never having children, recent use of oral contraceptives, postmenopausal hormone therapy, and having one’s first child after age 30
Prevention:
At this time, there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, which is why yearly mammograms are so important. In addition to yearly mammograms, the best way to reduce cancer risk overall is to:
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Engage in regular physical activity, at least 30 minutes on five or more days of the week
- Reduce alcohol consumption to no more than one drink per day for women (and no more than two drinks per day for men)
- Avoid or quit using tobacco products
Content of this article from American Cancer Society
.For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.