Breast Cancer

Chronic Disease Risk Assessment

Breast Cancer

The term Breast Cancer refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast. Cancer is a group of diseases in which cells in the body grow, change, and multiply out of control. Usually, cancer is named after the body part in which it originated so breast cancer is pretty self-explanatory. The term Breast Cancer refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast. To better explain breast cancer, it refers to the erratic growth and proliferation of cells that originate in the breast tissue. A group of rapidly growing and dividing cells may form a lump or mass of extra tissue. These masses are called tumors. Tumors are one of two things, cancerous – malignant, or non-cancerous -benign. Malignant tumors travel and penetrate looking to destroy healthy body tissues. A benign tumor is stationary and not cancerous. The breast is composed of two main types of tissues: glandular tissues and stromal tissues – supporting tissue. Glandular tissues house the milk-producing glands and the ducts - the milk passages, while stromal tissues include fatty and fibrous connective tissues of the breast. The breast is also made up of lymphatic tissue-immune system tissue that removes cellular fluids and waste. There are several types of tumors that may develop within different areas of the breast. Most tumors are the result of benign changes within the breast. For example, fibrocystic change is a non-cancerous condition in which women develop cysts (accumulated packets of fluid), and fibrosis – the formation of scar-like connective tissue.

The biggest risk factor of getting breast cancer is being female and having breasts. Unfortunately for us females that risk factor is not a preventable one no matter what. And men are far from immune to this disease to, as long as you have breasts, you’re at risk. Men are just not as likely to get breast cancer. Some of the other risk factors include, starting...