Definition Of Breast Cancer
Published on Mar 29 2010, in the categories: breast cancer
What is cancer?
The cancer s a disease that occurs when cells become abnormal and they divide without control. Each organ of the body is constructed from a variety of cells. Cells are divide in a certain order so that their number increases only how much is needed. If cells divide when it is not needed, it will result too much tissue and this tissue surplus is called tumor and it may be malignant or benign.
If a tumor is benign, it is not cancer. 80% of the breast tumors are benign so they can be removed without recurrence. The most important quality of the benign tumor is that it does not invade the surrounding tissues and it does not spread to others parts of the body. Benign breast tumors are not threatening the life.
Malignant tumors are represented by cancer. Cancer cells grow and divide without control, invading and destroying surrounding tissues and organs. Also, cancer cells can leave the original place where they appeared and spread in the body forming secondary tumors. This spreading of the cells is called metastasis.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that forms in the breast tissue, usually in the cells of the lobe and in the ones of the duct (glades that secretes milk). Breast cancer can occur in men and women, but in men the frequency is much smaller.
How common is breast cancer?
In women, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer.
What does mean “advanced breast cancer”?
Breast cancer is considered advanced when the tumor has spread from the initial location. Doctors take in consider several factors when they determinate the stage of breast cancer: tumor size, involvement of the lymph nodes, distant metastasis, etc. After determining the stage, the advanced breast cancer can be classified into two categories: locally advanced or matastatic.
What is the locally advanced breast cancer?
The term indicates that the tumor is large (greater than 5 cm) or it has spread to nearby tissues, such as lymph nodes. Locally advanced breast cancer is framed in stage III and if it is an operable tumor then the classification is in stage IIIA.
What is metastatic breast cancer?
The term indicates that the malignant tumor has spread to other parts of the body, e.g. bone, lung, liver or brain.
How can the risk be reduced?
Experts estimate that more than 50% of cancer cases can be avoided because of some improvements to lifestyle. Here are some tips that can help lower the risk of breast cancer.
- No smoking / no alcohol
- Healthy eating: eat more fruits and vegetables and less red meat.
- Physical exercises. This will help to maintain appropriate body weight.
- Protect yourself from the strong sun and periodically review your skin and report any changes to your doctor.
- Follow the cancer screening recommendations – Monthly self-examination, annually medical examination (since the age of 20) and early mammography when you have family history of breast cancer.
- In case of problems in the breast (of any kind), it is recommended tracking its evolution.
The cancer s a disease that occurs when cells become abnormal and they divide without control. Each organ of the body is constructed from a variety of cells. Cells are divide in a certain order so that their number increases only how much is needed. If cells divide when it is not needed, it will result too much tissue and this tissue surplus is called tumor and it may be malignant or benign.
If a tumor is benign, it is not cancer. 80% of the breast tumors are benign so they can be removed without recurrence. The most important quality of the benign tumor is that it does not invade the surrounding tissues and it does not spread to others parts of the body. Benign breast tumors are not threatening the life.
Malignant tumors are represented by cancer. Cancer cells grow and divide without control, invading and destroying surrounding tissues and organs. Also, cancer cells can leave the original place where they appeared and spread in the body forming secondary tumors. This spreading of the cells is called metastasis.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that forms in the breast tissue, usually in the cells of the lobe and in the ones of the duct (glades that secretes milk). Breast cancer can occur in men and women, but in men the frequency is much smaller.
How common is breast cancer?
In women, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer.
What does mean “advanced breast cancer”?
Breast cancer is considered advanced when the tumor has spread from the initial location. Doctors take in consider several factors when they determinate the stage of breast cancer: tumor size, involvement of the lymph nodes, distant metastasis, etc. After determining the stage, the advanced breast cancer can be classified into two categories: locally advanced or matastatic.
What is the locally advanced breast cancer?
The term indicates that the tumor is large (greater than 5 cm) or it has spread to nearby tissues, such as lymph nodes. Locally advanced breast cancer is framed in stage III and if it is an operable tumor then the classification is in stage IIIA.
What is metastatic breast cancer?
The term indicates that the malignant tumor has spread to other parts of the body, e.g. bone, lung, liver or brain.
How can the risk be reduced?
Experts estimate that more than 50% of cancer cases can be avoided because of some improvements to lifestyle. Here are some tips that can help lower the risk of breast cancer.
- No smoking / no alcohol
- Healthy eating: eat more fruits and vegetables and less red meat.
- Physical exercises. This will help to maintain appropriate body weight.
- Protect yourself from the strong sun and periodically review your skin and report any changes to your doctor.
- Follow the cancer screening recommendations – Monthly self-examination, annually medical examination (since the age of 20) and early mammography when you have family history of breast cancer.
- In case of problems in the breast (of any kind), it is recommended tracking its evolution.
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