Facts

Breast Cancer is a group of cancer cells that start to form in the cells of the breast. There are two different types of tumors that form in the breast: benign or malignant. Benign tumors are not aggressive and usually do not cause organ or tissue damage outside of the breast. Malignant tumors are cancerous and very aggressive to the point of causing surrounding tissue damage.

d037fdffc71094a2659f3b689c48e9b5(National Breast Cancer Foundation)

Malignant Tumors can start to metastasize (i.e., spread to other parts of the body) and form another tumor. The tumors from the breast primarily start to spread throughout the lymph system.

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(National Breast Cancer Foundation)

  • 1 in 8 will develop Breast Cancer in their lifetime
  • Second leading cause of death in women
    • 40,290 breast cancer deaths in women annually
  • Although more rare than in women, breast cancer can develop in men
    • 440 breast cancer deaths in men annually
  • Breast Cancer mortality has declined since 1990–credited to the decrease in postmenopausal hormone treatment and early screening.

BRCA Gene

  • accounts for 5% of all breast cancers
  • accounts for 20-25% of inherited breast cancer
  • the gene is more common among the population of Icelandic, Norwegian, and Dutch
  • a positive result when tested for the gene simply means that you have the gene ( it does not mean that you have or will develop breast cancer)
  • A positive BRCA gene test can also be an indicator for other types of cancer such as ovarian cancer.
  • If a person has inherited the BRCA gene, there is a 50% chance of their full siblings to also have the BRCA gene.
  • A positive result indicates the need for earlier cancer screenings such as MRI’s and mammograms earlier than 40 years of age.

Materials on this page retrieved from:
              “What Is Breast Cancer.” National Breast Cancer Foundation. National Breast Cancer Foundation, n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2015.
“Statistics.” World Health Organization. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.
BRCA1 & BRCA2: Cancer Risk & Genetic Testing. (2015, April 1). Retrieved September 16, 2015.

 

10 thoughts on “Facts”

  2. very good topic! it was explained very well. After reading everything I can’t really think of any questions to ask.

  3. Thank you . We feel that in deed time is of the essence. The faster it can be detected the better off you will be.

  4. Breast cancer is one of the most deadly for young as well as older women. Timely topic!

  6. With having a heavy family history do you know at what percentage a person would be if there mother was diagnosed?

  7. The BRCA gene mutation is only responsible for 5 percent of overall breast cancers. It is responsible for about 20-25 percent of genetic breast cancers .Having the gene does not mean that you will develop breast cancer although it does increase your risk. Hope this helps . Thanks
    Referenced

  9. Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer deaths in women. Although it can not be totally prevented, if proper awareness is raised, it can be decreased.

  10. It is crazy to think that one out of eight women will develop breast cancer. With a statistic that high, it needs to be focused and addressed more so people are aware. This is a really good topic.

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