Breast cancer is a cancer of the breast tissue. Although breast cancer is primarily a disease of women, about 1% of breast cancers occur in men. Breast cancer is a rapid, uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both breasts. Ductal carcinoma arises in the ducts (the passageway which carries milk from the milk-producing lobules to the nipple). Lobular carcinoma arises in the lobules (part of the lobe which ends in dozens of tiny bulbs that can produce milk). In 2005, the American Cancer Society estimated that 212,930 new cases of breast cancer would be diagnosed in the United States. Still, breast cancer is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer deaths in American women. In the last 30 years, doctors have made great strides in diagnosing and treating the disease and in reducing breast cancer deaths. In 1975 a diagnosis of breast cancer usually meant radical mastectomy removal of the entire breast along with underarm lymph nodes and skin and muscles underneath the breast. Today, radical mastectomy is rarely performed. Instead, there are more and better treatment options, and many women are candidates for breast-sparing operations.

Causes of Breast Cancer

The common Causes of Breast Cancer :

The cause of breast cancer is unknown.
Being female is the main risk factor for breast cancer.
The chance of getting breast cancer increases as a woman gets older.
The risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have the disease. Having a mother, sister or daughter with breast cancer almost doubles a woman's risk, particularly if the relative was diagnosed before age 50.
Women who have had chest area radiation treatment have a significantly increased risk of breast cancer (e.g. mantle radiation for Hodgkin's lymphoma).

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Some Symptoms of Breast Cancer :

Lump or mass in the armpit
A change in the nipple, such as scaling of the skin, a nipple that turns in, or discharge or bleeding.
Abnormal nipple discharge
A change in the size or shape of the breast
Changes in the skin of the breast, such as a dimple or skin that looks like orange peel.
A change in the color or feel of the skin around the nipple (areola).
Any breast lump, pain, tenderness, or other change in a man

Treatment of Breast Cancer

X-rays or other high-energy rays are applied to the tumour and surrounding areas to destroy cancer cells.
Medicines that interfere with cancer cell growth and division are administered to reduce the size of tumours or kill them.
Removal of the lump (called a lumpectomy) is the preferred technique. Removal of lymph nodes in the armpit may be undertaken as well. Removal of the breast (called a mastectomy) is only performed if absolutely necessary.
Hormones are chemical signals which are released by different parts of the body and can carried in the blood to some other area to have an effect. Oestrogen is a sex hormone that promotes the growth of some breast cancers. Hormonal treatments, such as anti-oestrogens, aromatase inhibitors or LHRH analogues, are designed to block the effects of oestrogen or its production, which stops or slows the growth of cancer cells.

Bowel & Stomach Diseases

Appendicitis
Barett's Oesophagus
Coeliac Disease
Crohn's Disease

Heart Problems

Angina
Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis
Arrhythmias
Atrial Fibrillation

Infectious Diseases

Bacterial Vaginosis
Bird Flu
Boils
Cellulitis
Chicken Pox
Cystitis

Skin Disorders

Acne
Alopecia Areata
Baldness

Women Diseases

Abnormal Periods
Atropic Vaginitis
Breast Cancer
Breast Pain
Cervical Cancer

Liver & Kidney Diseases

Cholecystitis
Cirrhosis
Fatty Liver Disease
Kidney Cancer
Liver Cancer

Mental Health

Anorexia Nervosa
Bipolar Affective Disorder
Bulimia Nervosa
Dementia
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Schizophrenia

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