One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. It’s the most common form of cancer to affect women worldwide and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths. Breast cancer affects women of all demographics regardless of country of origin, degree of modernization, or affluence. More than 250,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Of those, 40,000 will die from the disease. Although rare, men are also afflicted with breast cancer. There are 3.3 million breast cancer survivors alive today in the U.S.
There seems to be no one cause for breast cancer. Cancer can begin when a cell’s DNA becomes damaged. That can cause the cell to begin replicating out of control. We do know that caffeine, deodorant, microwaves, cell phones and close proximity to those with cancer do not cause cancer. Genetics and environment act together as important factors.
Genetic risk factors can be gender, age, race, family and personal history, menstrual and reproductive history. Environmental and life style risk factors that may contribute to cancer development are degree of physical activity, diet, being overweight, alcohol use, radiation and combined hormone therapy replacement.
The interaction is complex and not well understood even today. Many women with risk factors never develop breast cancer, while some women with no apparent risk factors do. Sixty to 70% of women who develop breast cancer have no relation to these risk factors. We still have much to learn.
The good news is that incidents of breast cancer have been declining since 1990 due to better screening methods, treatment options and a decrease in hormone replacement therapy due to menopause. Being aware of your body will help early detection, allows you to make informed decisions, have a better discussion with your doctor and detect anything unusual earlier.
To learn more about breast cancer go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s website.
One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. It’s the most common form of cancer to affect women worldwide and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths. Breast cancer affects women of all demographics regardless of country of origin, degree of modernization, or affluence. More than 250,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Of those, 40,000 will die from the disease. Although rare, men are also afflicted with breast cancer. There are 3.3 million breast cancer survivors alive today in the U.S.
There seems to be no one cause for breast cancer. Cancer can begin when a cell’s DNA becomes damaged. That can cause the cell to begin replicating out of control. We do know that caffeine, deodorant, microwaves, cell phones and close proximity to those with cancer do not cause cancer. Genetics and environment act together as important factors.
Genetic risk factors can be gender, age, race, family and personal history, menstrual and reproductive history. Environmental and life style risk factors that may contribute to cancer development are degree of physical activity, diet, being overweight, alcohol use, radiation and combined hormone therapy replacement.
The interaction is complex and not well understood even today. Many women with risk factors never develop breast cancer, while some women with no apparent risk factors do. Sixty to 70% of women who develop breast cancer have no relation to these risk factors. We still have much to learn.
The good news is that incidents of breast cancer have been declining since 1990 due to better screening methods, treatment options and a decrease in hormone replacement therapy due to menopause. Being aware of your body will help early detection, allows you to make informed decisions, have a better discussion with your doctor and detect anything unusual earlier.
To learn more about breast cancer go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s website.
