Genetic factors increase the risk of breast cancer
The main risk factors for breast cancer are age, gender, family history of breast cancer and genetic factors.
The risk of having breast cancer is 5-10 times higher if you are 60 or older, in comparison to women aged 40 and younger.
Breast cancer also develops in men; however, it develops at a much lower rate (3-10 events per 100,000 men).
About 6-10% of breast cancer cases are due to inherited genes. The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is 80% in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.
Mutation of cells in breast tissue lead to formation of breast tumor
Breast cancer originates from mutations of cells in breast tissues. It is not clear what leads to these mutations. The mutations affect several normal functions of breast cells, including those controlling how cells grow and divide. This leads to uncontrolled growth and ultimately tumor formation.
The tumor then invades neighboring blood vessels and divert nutrients to supply itself. This process is known as angiogenesis.
Cancer cells in malignant tumor can also hijack the blood stream or the lymphatic system to reach other organs in the body and form new tumors. The new tumors are referred to as metastatic breast cancer. The most common metastatic breast cancers occur in liver, lung and bone.
The main symptom is breast cancer is a breast lump. It often takes years for breast cancer to develop.
Early detection is the key
Deaths of breast cancer patients are mostly due to the development of metastatic breast cancers in vital organs like the brain or lung.
If breast cancer is detected at an early stage, the 5-year survival rate is 80-90%. On the other hand, the 5-year survival rate for patients at later stages with metastatic breast cancer is merely 30-35%.
The best way to detect breast cancer is mammogram. The American Cancer Society recommends that women aged 40 or older undergo mammogram screening every year.
Tags: breast cancer, breast cancer, metastatic breast, 5-year survival, 5-year survival rate