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Breast cancer is a malignancy in one or both breasts. Most patients are
women, but 1 percent of patients are men. This is the most common cancer
among women after cancer of the skin and accounts for one out of three
cancer diagnoses in the United States. If not treated early, breast cancer
can spread to nearby lymph glands, lungs, bone and other parts of the body.
It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.
A major risk factor is a family history of breast cancer, particularly in a
mother, sister or daughter. Certain women, especially those descended from
European Jews, are carriers of a gene (BRCA1 or BRCA2) that predisposes
them to both breast and ovarian cancers. The risk of breast cancer
increases with age and is higher in women over 50. Other risk factors can
include certain previous precancerous tumors of the breast, previous cancer
in one breast, exposure to radiation and cancer of the ovaries, cervix or
colon. Obesity and heavy use of alcohol may contribute to the risk of
breast cancer, as does early onset of menstruation and late onset of
menopause.
Surgery is the recommended treatment for most breast cancers, and depending
on the stage of the cancer, this may be followed by radiation therapy,
chemotherapy or hormonal therapy, either alone or in combination.
The surgery can be of varying degrees. The least invasive surgery, a
lumpectomy, removes only the tumor and a small portion of tissue
surrounding it; the procedure is reserved for early-stage cancers. Somewhat
larger tumors may also be removed by similar "breast-sparing" procedures.
In both cases, nearby lymph nodes are often removed as well. If the tumor
has spread further, removal of the breast - a mastectomy - is usually
performed. The older Halsted radical mastectomy, which included removal of
the muscles underlying the breast, is rarely used.
Most treatment for back pain involves nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin or ibuprofen, and sometimes muscle relaxants as well. Depending on the problem, short bed rest or exercise may be prescribed. Massage and heating pads often help; chiropractic and acupuncture have also been used successfully in the treatment of back pain. In some cases, surgery may be considered as a last resort.
- Examine your breasts at least once a month for any sign of change and have
regular professional examinations.
- Schedule a baseline mammogram when you are 35, and have one every one to
two years between the ages of 40 and 49, and annually after age 50.
- There is some evidence that a well-balanced, low-fat diet and regular
vigorous exercise may reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.
- There is a lower incidence of breast cancer in women who breast feed their
babies.
- For women who are considered to be at high risk for developing breast
cancer, the new selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as
Nolvadex (tamoxifen) and Evista (raloxifene), may reduce that risk.
- Some women at extremely high risk elect to have both breasts removed as a
preventative measure, although this practice is understandably
controversial.
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