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Breast Cancer—Know the Risk Factors
According
to Chrystal Sumrall, MD, with Laurel Family Clinic, breast cancer
is a malignant growth of cells in the breast. Changes in cellular
DNA can cause cancerous changes in a cell.
"Risk factors associated with development of breast cancer include: gender, genetics, age, family history, previous breast disease or cancer, previous breast irradiation, early onset of menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after age 50), first childbirth after age 30 or no children, obesity, lack of exercise, use of alcohol, possibly smoking, and long-term hormone replacement therapy," she says.
Management of risk factors will help prevent breast cancer.
This includes maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly,
not smoking, and
limiting the intake of alcohol. Tamoxifen, an
anti-estrogen drug, is approved to reduce the incidence of breast
cancer among high-risk women. However, tamoxifen treatment can
have serious side effects. Each woman along with her physician
must consider the potential risks and benefits of the therapy
and make an individual decision.
Dr. Sumrall says that with early detection, breast cancer
is often treatable. Screening exams that can increase the likelihood
of early detection include breast self-examinations performed
monthly, clinical breast examinations performed
at annual checkups, and mammography, performed annually for women
age 40 and older.
Diagnosis often begins with detection of a lump during a screening exam. Note: Not every lump means cancer. In premenopausal women, many lumps detected are not malignant. In order to make a diagnosis of breast cancer, suspicious lumps are examined further, through biopsy. In the biopsy procedure, tissue from the lump is removed from the breast and a tissue sample is examined microscopically for the presence of abnormal cells. If cancer cells are detected, additional tests may be performed to characterize the cancer cells more precisely and to determine whether cancer has spread beyond the breast to other lymph nodes or other organs.
Treatment can include surgical removal of the cancerous tissue (mastectomy or lumpectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, tamoxifen therapy, Herceptin therapy, or participation in clinical trials. The choice of treatment depends upon a number of factors including whether cancer has spread beyond the breast stage, other characteristics of the cancerous cells, weight of the patient, age and menopausal status of the patient, and general health of the patient.
For more information on breast health, call South Central's Health Information Line at 399-0506.