Breast cancer causes

In most cases, the biggest life-changing effects of breast cancer come from the treatment, not from the disease. Early detection and therapy options make the outlook for most types of breast cancer very good. But surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation -- while key parts of treatment -- can take a toll on your physical and mental health both just after the treatment as well as months or years later. Tiredness It's a common symptom of breast cancer and a side effect of its treatment. Your doctor might call it fatigue. It might last for months after treatment, sometimes even longer. Your tiredness may ease if you: • Eat a well-balanced diet • Keep a healthy weight • Get enough sleep • Stay physically active Hair and Skin Changes Chemotherapy, or “chemo,” can make your hair fall out, not only on your head but also all over your body. Chemo also can turn your skin dry, itchy, and flaky. Radiation might cause your skin to look and feel like sunburn around the treatment spot. These effects may change how you feel about yourself. Some people might react visibly. Consider telling your loved ones and others beforehand about what you’re going through. Sometimes it may help to talk to a mental health counselor. The good news is that after treatment, your skin returns to normal and your hair usually grows back. It’s possible that your hair could grow back with a slightly different feel and texture. Swelling Surgeons sometimes remove your lymph nodes from the arm near the breast with the ...

The most common symptoms of early-stage breast cancer are new lumps, changes to skin texture or color, dimpling, and swelling. According to the Breast cancer can develop in males and females, but Below, we outline some early indications of breast cancer. We also describe the various types and treatment options. Finally, we look into some benign conditions people may mistake for breast cancer. Share on Pinterest FG Trade/Getty Images A new mass or lump in breast tissue is the most common sign of breast cancer. The following breast changes can be symptoms of breast cancer: • full or partial swelling • thickening of part of a breast • a change in the size or shape of a breast • irritation of the skin • • discolored, flaky skin on the breast or nipple • breast or • pulling in of the nipple • • Many of these changes can also result from other noncancerous health issues. However, if a person notices any changes in their breast tissue, they should see a doctor as soon as possible. It is important to rule out cancer as a possible cause. Share on Pinterest There are many different types of breast cancer. Each form of breast cancer develops in a different part of the breast and can affect different tissue types. Since many breast cancers cause no symptoms, people should attend regular screenings. This can help identify the disease in its early stages. Below, we outline the types of breast cancer and their symptoms. Lobular carcinoma in situ Because these cells do not spread to surro...

We don’t know what causes each case of breast cancer. But we do know many of the risk factors for these cancers (see We do know that normal breast cells can become cancer because of changes or mutations in genes. But only about 1 in 10 breast cancers (10%) are linked with known abnormal genes that are passed on from parents ( inherited). Many genes have not yet been discovered, so women with a family history of breast cancer might have inherited an abnormal gene that doesn't show on a acquired (not inherited) gene changes that have not yet been identified. How gene changes can lead to breast cancer Normal cells have genes called proto-oncogenes, which help control when the cells grow, divide to make new cells, or stay alive. If a proto-oncogene is mutated (changed) in a certain way, it becomes an oncogene. Cells that have these mutated oncogenes can become cancer. Normal cells also have genes called tumor suppressor genes, which help control how often normal cells divide in two, repair DNA mistakes, or cause cells to die at the right time . If a cell has a mutated tumor suppressor gene, then the cell can turn into cancer. Cancers can be caused by gene changes that turn on oncogenes or turn off tumor suppressor genes. Changes in many different genes are usually needed to cause breast cancer. Inherited gene changes Some gene changes (mutations) are inherited or passed to you from your parents. This means the mutations are in all your cells when you are born. Certain inherite...

Metastatic breast cancer is when cancer cells have spread from the breast to other parts of the body. It’s classified as advanced (stage 4) breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer symptoms depend on what area of the body the cells have invaded. Treatment for metastatic breast cancer includes medications to slow the growth and improve symptoms. Learn about treatment for metastatic breast cancer. What is metastatic breast cancer? Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage of Metastasis refers to cancer cells that have spread to a new area of the body. In metastatic breast cancer, cells may spread to the: • Bones. • Brain. • Liver. • Lungs. Healthcare providers name cancer based on its primary origin. That means breast cancer that spreads to other body parts is still considered breast cancer. The cancer cells are still breast cancer cells. Your care team will use breast cancer therapies, even if the cancer cells are in other areas. What’s the difference between metastatic breast cancer and stage 4 breast cancer? These two terms mean essentially the same thing. Breast cancer classified as stage 4 has spread outside the breast, or metastasized, to other parts of the body. When do people get a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis? Metastatic breast cancer can occur at different points: • De novo metastatic breast cancer: About 6% of women and 9% of men have metastatic breast cancer when they’re first diagnosed with breast cancer. • Distant recurrence: Most commonly, metas...

Breast Pain Breast pain is any discomfort, tenderness, or pain in the breast or underarm region, and it may occur for a number of reasons. Breast pain usually isn’t a Should breast pain cause me to be concerned about breast cancer? Although many women with pain in one or both breasts may be concerned that it is breast cancer, breast pain is NOT commonly a Understanding Breast Pain If you’re not aware of your breast health, important changes in your breasts can be easy to miss. Download our free eBook, Breast Problems That Aren’t Breast Cancer, to learn about the most common non-cancerous breast problems, like breast pain, you should know about. Tell us where we can send your free copy: • Puberty in girls and sometimes for boys, too • Menstruation and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) • Pregnancy – more often during the first trimester • Days following childbirth as milk comes in Breastfeeding Mastitis, which is caused by a milk duct that is not properly draining and becomes infected, should be treated. It has no correlation with cancer, but it can become a serious infection if left untreated. • Menopause • A breast abscess, which is an infection inside of the breast, similar to a boil. • A benign When Is Breast Pain Associated With Breast Cancer? Breast pain is usually present to some degree with Inflammatory Breast Cancer which has other distinct What should I do if I am experiencing breast pain? If you experience breast pain, contact your physician. To learn more about If You ...