women s health issues
Breast Cancer
Introduction
Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast become abnormal and divide into more cells uncontrollably. Breast cancer usually starts in the glands that produce milk (lobules) or the tubes (ducts) that carry milk from the glands to the nipple. Among women, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers. Typically, the first symptom is a painless lump, usually noticed by the woman herself. If a solid lump is detected, doctors use a hollow needle to remove a sample of tissue or make an incision and remove part or all of the lump and then examine the tissue under a microscope (biopsy). Breast cancer almost always requires surgery, sometimes with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, other medications, or a combination. Prognosis depends on the type, size, and spread of the cancer and on other factors. (See also Overview of Breast Disorders .) Overview of Breast Disorders may be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Most are noncancerous. Often, they do not require treatment. In contrast, breast cancer can mean loss of a breast or be life threatening. However, potential problems can often be detected early when women have: Regular physical examinations by their doctor Mammograms, as recommended Women should be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel. Because breast cancer also affects men, men should be aware of changes in or around their nipples. If a woman notices a change, she may do a Breast self-awareness . Women should report any changes to a health care professional right away. Most medical organizations no longer recommend that people do monthly or weekly breast self-examinations as a routine way to check for cancer. Doing these examinations when there is no lump or other change does not help detect breast cancer early in women who get regularly scheduled Early detection of breast cancer can be essential to successful treatment. In the United States, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women (skin cancers are most common). Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death (the most common is lung cancer) across all women, but it is the leading cause of cancer death in Black women. Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than any other race or ethnicity; Asian and Pacific Islander women have the lowest death rate from breast cancer. (See alsoAmerican Cancer Society: Key Statistics for Breast Cancer.) In 2023, in women in the United States, it is estimated there will be 297,790 new cases of Extent of spread None 55,720 new cases of Extent of spread None 43,700 breast cancer deaths In 2023, in men in the United States, it is estimated there will be 2800 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 530 deaths from it. 