When abnormal cell growth occurs in the breast, this results in breast cancer. This eMedTV article discusses breast cancer in detail and provides information about risk factors, staging, treatment options, and the possibility of recurrence.
There are two general types of breast cancer -- invasive breast cancer and non-invasive breast cancer. As this eMedTV Web page explains, these two types may also be referred to as infiltrating and non-infiltrating (in situ).
In the majority of cases, the breast cancer causes are not known. As this eMedTV article explains, there are certain factors (such as dense breast tissue) that, while not breast cancer causes, do increase the chances of developing the disease.
As this eMedTV article explains, several risk factors can increase a woman's chances of getting breast cancer. Risk factors include having a family history or personal history of the disease and being overweight or obese after menopause.
Unfortunately, there are no "classic" breast cancer warnings signs. This part of the eMedTV Web site describes possible signs that some women may experience (such as nipple tenderness) and stresses the importance of screening for the disease.
Lumps near the breast or underarm and changes in breast tissue are common signs of breast cancer. This eMedTV Web page identifies other signs and symptoms, as well as symptoms of a rare form of the disease known as inflammatory breast cancer.
Tests used in making a breast cancer diagnosis include mammograms, MRI tests, and fine-needle aspiration. This eMedTV Web segment discusses these and other tests in detail and explains how they relate to a person's treatment plan.
In women with breast cancer, stages are used to describe the extent of the disease. This eMedTV segment discusses the characteristics of each of these stages, which include stages 0 through 4 and recurrent cases of breast cancer.
Current treatments for breast cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. This eMedTV article discusses breast cancer treatment in detail and provides links to other several other articles about breast cancer.
As this eMedTV segment explains, a prognosis for breast cancer will be based on research and statistics, but it's impossible to predict the outcome of an individual case. This article examines the factors that influence a person's prognosis.
Common breast cancer screening tools include mammograms, breast examinations, and ultrasound tests. This eMedTV resource discusses these tools in detail, including information on the benefits and risks associated with screening.
By being aware of the risk factors for breast cancer, you may be able to prevent it. As this eMedTV article explains, breast cancer prevention may involve lifestyle changes (such as exercising more), medications (such as tamoxifen), or surgery.
Alterations in a so-called breast cancer gene may increase the risk of cancer. However, as this eMedTV article explains, they do not cause the disease in and of themselves. This article discusses this gene in more detail and links to more information.
Women have special concerns regarding breast cancer, and pregnancy can make detection and treatment difficult. This eMedTV article discusses breast cancer and pregnancy in detail, including how pregnancy can affect prognosis and treatment.
No research has yet proven that there is a link between antiperspirants and breast cancer. As this eMedTV segment explains, two studies even had conflicting results. This page takes an in-depth look at studies done in 2002, 2003, and 2004.
Scientists involved in breast cancer research are looking for new ways to prevent, detect, and treat it. This eMedTV article discusses various research areas in detail, such as studies examining the use of raloxifene to prevent breast cancer.
More than 2 million women alive today have been diagnosed with breast cancer. This eMedTV article contains an in-depth collection of breast cancer statistics, such as mortality rates, survival rates, and age-at-diagnosis data.
