For those of you that know me pretty well know that I'm a pink-ribbon nut! I try to every month buy something with the pink ribbon on it so I feel like I'm helping at least a little bit with resources to find the cure to bre
ast cancer.
ast cancer.Did you know that 1 in 3 women will have breast cancer? Do we know enough about the disease in order to know what to do just in case it happens to us, a friend or family member? I think it would be a good idea to add something to my blog in case you're interested in knowing more about it. I got this from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure homepage. There is a lot of great information there, so if you ever have a couple of minutes, go there and read a little about this life threatening, yet curable disease.
What is Breast Cancer?
Every day, cells in your body divide, grow and die. Most of the time cells divide and grow in an orderly manner. But sometimes cells grow out of control. This kind of growth of cells forms a mass or lump called a tumor. Tumors are either benign or malignant.
Benign [bee-NINE] tumors
Benign tumors are not cancerous. But left untreated, some can pose a health risk, so they are often removed. When these tumors are removed, they typically do not reappear. Most importantly, the cells of a benign tumor do not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
Benign tumors are not cancerous. But left untreated, some can pose a health risk, so they are often removed. When these tumors are removed, they typically do not reappear. Most importantly, the cells of a benign tumor do not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body.
Malignant [ma-LIG-nant] (cancerous) tumors
Malignant tumors are made of abnormal cells. Malignant tumor cells can invade nearby tissue
and spread to other parts of the body. A malignant tumor that develops in the breast is called
breast cancer.
Breast cancer growth
The light circles represent normal breast cells and the dark-shaded circles represent cancerous breast cells. As the cancerous cells grow and multiply, they develop into a malignant tumor within the breast.How does breast cancer grow and spread?
To continue growing, malignant breast tumors need to be fed. They get nourishment by developing new blood vessels in a process called angiogenesis. The new blood vessels supply the tumor with nutrients that promote growth. As the malignant breast tumor grows, it can expand into nearby tissue. This process is called invasion. Cells can also break away from the primary, or main, tumor and spread to other parts of the body.The cells spread by traveling through the blood stream and lymphatic system. This process is called metastasis. When malignant breast cells appear in a new location, they begin to divide and grow out of control again as they create another tumor. Even though the new tumor is growing in another part of the body, it is still called breast cancer. The most common locations of breast cancer metastases are the lymph nodes, liver, brain, bones and lungs.
Why does breast cancer grow?
We all have genes that control the way our cells divide and grow. When these genes do not work like they should, a genetic error, or mutation, has occurred. Mutations may be inherited or spontaneous. Inherited mutations are ones you were born with — an abnormal gene that one of your parents passed on to you at birth. Inherited mutations of specific genes, such as the BRCAI and BRCA2 genes, increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. Spontaneous mutations occur within your body during your lifetime. The actual cause or causes of mutations
still remains unknown. Researchers have identified two types of genes that are important to cell growth. Errors in these genes turn normal cells into cancerous ones.
still remains unknown. Researchers have identified two types of genes that are important to cell growth. Errors in these genes turn normal cells into cancerous ones.
But remember…
Cells may be growing out of control before any symptoms of the disease appear. That is why breast screening to find early changes is so important.The sooner a problem is found, the better a woman’s chances are for survival. Experts recommend that women 40 years and older have a mammogram every year. If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, talk with your doctor about risk assessment, when to start getting mammograms and how often to have them. If your mother or sister had breast cancer before menopause, you may need to start getting mammograms and yearly clinical breast exams before age 40. It is important for all women to have clinical breast exams done by a health care provider at least every three years starting at age 20 and every year after age 40.
Cells may be growing out of control before any symptoms of the disease appear. That is why breast screening to find early changes is so important.The sooner a problem is found, the better a woman’s chances are for survival. Experts recommend that women 40 years and older have a mammogram every year. If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, talk with your doctor about risk assessment, when to start getting mammograms and how often to have them. If your mother or sister had breast cancer before menopause, you may need to start getting mammograms and yearly clinical breast exams before age 40. It is important for all women to have clinical breast exams done by a health care provider at least every three years starting at age 20 and every year after age 40.
Breast Self-Awareness
Except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but it can be successfully treated. Screening tests can find cancer early, when it’s most treatable.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® recommends that you:
Except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but it can be successfully treated. Screening tests can find cancer early, when it’s most treatable.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® recommends that you:
1. Know your risk
Talk to your family to learn about your family health history
Talk to your provider about your personal risk of breast cancer
2. Get screened
Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk
Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at 20, and every year starting at 40
3. Know what is normal for you. See your health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes:
Lump, hard knot or thickening
Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
Change in the size or shape of the breast
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away
4. Make healthy lifestyle choices
Maintain a healthy weight
Add exercise into your routine
Limit alcohol intake
I know this post was long but I feel strongly about this topic. And we can never be TOO informed about it. AGAIN, if you are reading this and would like to know more about breast cancer go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure homepage, they have so much info there!
I saw on a TV show the other day that most women don't do a breast self exam because they don't really know HOW or WHEN to do it. And when they do it, they don't know what's normal. If you are one of them, here's a link to a short tutorial that will teach how to look and feel for any changes in your breasts.http://cms.komen.org/bse/
Thanks for reading this post and here's to finding the cure!!!
3 comments:
thanks for posting this. I never think about breast cancer. It helps to be reminded.
beijos
Okay, so I never watch Oprah, but I was browsing yesterday and saw that she was doing a show on Breast Cancer and so I watched it. I found it very educational and was pretty impressed that the Susan G Komen foundation was started by her sister who did it from scratch and has now given over $1 Billion to breast cancer research. I think it is so important as well that we stay informed and do the preventative steps necessary to reduce our risks as much as possible. Thanks Marina!
(p.s. how did I not know that you blog until I got your email? Anyway, I know now and will now have fun going back and reading all your posts...prepare for lots of comments by ME!)
Way to go girl. I hope they find a cure sooner than later, so I should start being more active in my support, like you are. Xander was asking about you a few days ago- out of the blue, so it's time to get together!
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