INTRODUCTION Breast cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer

deaths in women, is the disease women fear most. 80% of breast cancers occur in women older than

age 50. In 30s, have a one in 233 chance of developing breast cancer. By age 85, chance is one in eight.

In 1975, a diagnosis of breast cancer usually meant radical mastectomy – removal of the entire breast along with underarm lymph nodes and muscles underneath the breast.

Today, radical mastectomy is rarely performed.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Most breast lumps aren't cancerous. Yet the most

common sign of breast cancer for both men and women is a lump or thickening in the breast. Often, the lump is painless.

Spontaneous clear or bloody discharge from the nipple, often associated with a breast lump

Retraction or indentation of the nipple Change in the size or contours of the breast Any flattening or indentation of the skin over the breast. Redness or pitting of the skin over breast, like the skin

of an orange Other causes of noncancerous breast changes include

fibrocystic changes, cysts, fibroadenomas, infection or injury.

CAUSES In breast cancer, some of the cells in the breast

begin growing abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells

do and may spread (metastasize) through the breast, to lymph nodes or to other parts of the body.

The most common type of breast cancer begins in the milk-producing ducts.

If one of these genes is present in the family, will have a 50 percent chance of having the gene.

Yet most genetic mutations related to breast cancer aren't inherited.

These acquired mutations may result from radiation exposure, cancer-causing chemicals, such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in tobacco and charred red meats.

Screening and diagnosis

Screening – looking for evidence of disease before signs or symptoms appear – is the key to finding breast cancer in its early, treatable stages.

Breast self-exam

Clinical breast exam

Mammogram - to check breast tissue

Other tests

Computer-aided detection (CAD) Digital mammography Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Breast ultrasound (ultrasonography)

Experimental procedures

Ductal lavage Molecular breast imaging (MBI)

Mammogram

CAD Mammogram

Digital mammography

Breast Ultrasound

Breast biopsy

Tamoxifen inhibits estrogen receptor

activity

AE = antiestrogen

E = estrogen

TREATMENT Surgery. Radiotherapy. Chemotherapy.

New directions in research Retinoids - Natural or synthetic forms of vit-A

have the ability to destroy the growth of cancer cells. Effective in premenopausal women and in those whose tumors aren't estrogen positive.

Flaxseed – High in lignan, a naturally occurring compound that lowers circulating estrogens in the body. Decreases estrogen production – acts like tamoxifen – inhibit the growth of breast cancer tumors. Lignans are also antioxidants with weak estrogen-like characteristics. These characteristics may be the mechanism by which flaxseed works to decrease hot flushes.

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