BREAST CANCER UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON DOWNTOWN BY: MIRNA GARZA & JASRUP KAUR BIOLOGY 1310 M/W PROFESSOR : DAVID LANG

What is Breast Cancer? Breast cancer occurs when malignant tumors develop in the breast. These cells then spread by breaking away from the original tumor, entering blood vessels or lymph vessels, which then branch into tissues throughout the body. Breast cancer is the second leading cause in American women, affecting countries at all levels of modernization. Facts: One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Each year it is estimated that over 220,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die. Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,150 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 410 will die each year.

Risk factors for breast Cancer Age: Two out of three women with invasive cancer are diagnosed after age 55. Gender: breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, occurs more often in women than in men. Race: Breast cancer is diagnosed more often in Caucasian women. Family History and Genetic Factors: individuals with a cancerous history have a higher risk of being diagnosed Menstrual and Reproductive History: Early menstruation, late menopause, and having your first child at an older age. Dense Breast Tissue: Having dense breast tissue can increase the risk of developing lumps in the breast. Certain Genome Changes: Mutations in certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can increase your risk for breast cancer.

Environmental and Lifestyle Risk Factors Lack of Physical Activity: Lifestyles with little to no physical activity. Poor Diet: Diets high in saturated fat. Being Overweight or Obese: Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for breast cancer. Drinking Alcohol: Frequent consumption of alcohol; the more alcohol you consume, the greater the risk. Radiation to the Chest: Having radiation therapy to the chest before the age of 30 can increase your risk for breast cancer. Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Taking combined hormone replacement therapy, as prescribed for menopause.

Breast Anatomy Breasts consist mainly of fatty tissue combined with connective tissue. Each breast has around 15 to 20 lobes. Inside each lobe are many smaller structures called lobules At the end of each lobule are tiny bulbs. Milk then flows from the lobules through ducts and out to the nipple. The nipple is in the center of a dark area of skin called the areola. Around the breast are also blood vessels and lymph vessels The lymph vessels carry fluid called lymph. Lymph vessels lead to organs called lymph nodes. Lymph nodes filter substances in a fluid called lymph and help fight infection and disease.

Breast Cancer Symptoms Breast cancer indicators: Fibrocystic changes: Lumpiness, thickening and swelling of the breast. Cysts: Fluid-filled lumps around the breast. Fibroadenomas: solid, round, rubbery lumps that move the under the area of the breast. Infections: The breast will likely be red, warm, tender and lumpy Trauma: A previous blow to the breast that might have caused a bruise can cause a lump. Breast Appearance : The areola may change in color, or discharge and bleeding may occur from the nipple.

Stages of Breast Cancer The stage is based on the following factors: 1.The size of the tumor within the breast 2.The number of lymph nodes affected 3.Signs indicating if the cancer has invaded other organs within the body. Stage 0 &1 are the lowest stages of breast cancer, in which cancer cells are confined to a very limited area. Stage 2 Breast cancer is still in the earlier stages, but there is evidence that the cancer has begun to grow and spread around the breast area. Stage 3 Breast cancer is considered advanced cancer, and there's evidence of cancer invading surrounding tissues near the breast. Stage 4 breast cancer indicates that cancer has spread beyond the breast to other areas of the body.

Breast Cancer Types There are several types of breast cancer, but three main ones which include: 1.Ductal carcinoma in situ, 2.Invasive Ductal Carcinoma 3.Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a non-invasive breast cancer where abnormal cells have been contained in the lining of the breast ducts. About 1 in 5 new breast cancer cases will be DCIS. Nearly all women diagnosed at this early stage of breast cancer can be cured.

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma 2. Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) starts in the milk ducts of the breast, breaks through the wall of the ducts, and grows into the fatty tissue of the breast. Which can then spread to other parts of the body. IDC is the most common type of breast cancer. IDC is also the type of breast cancer that most commonly affects men.

Invasive Lobular Carcinoma 3. Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) starts in the lobules, and like IDC, it can metastasize to other parts of the body. This type of cancer is often found in both breasts. About 1 in 10 invasive breast cancer is ILC. Invasive lobular carcinoma may be harder to detect by a mammogram than invasive ductal carcinoma..

Early Diagnosis Mammogram Tests: 1.Use a low-dose x-ray system to examine breasts. Mammograms convert x-rays into electrical signals. These signals are used to produce images that show masses, and microcalcifications; flecks of calcium, like salt located in the tissues of the breast. 2.Mammograms can show changes in the breast up to two years before a physician can feel them 3.Mammograms allows for efficient diagnosis of breast cancers at an earlier stage Monthly Self- Exams: These consist of monthly self exams, which are performed by touching the breast while holding various positions that help detect lumps, and identify any abnormalities around the breast.

Breast Cancer Treatments Depending on the stage of the patients breast cancer, will determine the type of treatment it will receive. Some of the Treatments include: 1.Chemotherapy 2.Surgery 3.Radiation 4.Hormone therapy 5.Nutrition 6.Follow-ups Treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), involves surgery and possibly radiation therapy and/or tamoxifen. Treatment for invasive breast cancer : ILC and IDC usually involves some combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and/or targeted therapy. The order of the therapies and the specific treatments depend on the cancer stage and the characteristics of the tumor.

Breast Cancer Stigmas Long-term side effects of treatment Some breast cancer treatments can cause ongoing side effects, such as menopausal symptoms, fatigue or pain. Some treatments can also affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant. Changes to your body Breast cancer and its treatments can cause changes to your body and how you feel about your body. This may be because of physical changes after surgery, hair loss from chemotherapy or weight gain. Or consciousness about wearing a prosthesis. including finding suitable bras, clothing and swimwear. Diet and physical activity A physical lifestyle can have many benefits for people who’ve had breast cancer, from relieving some side effects of treatment to helping you regain shoulder and arm movement after surgery.

Social Impacts Woman diagnosed with Breast cancer may handle the situation differently, but they all encounter similar struggles such as: fear that breast cancer may return, depression, and anxiety. Breast cancer not only affects the patient, but also Secondary individuals: Family members, friends and significant others and the general public. Breast cancer has become a worldwide concern especially in Woman, that society has joined the battle against breast cancer. Breast cancer has caused many movements, that have evoked, breast cancer runs, campaigns, to support and fund the ongoing Medical research for breast cancer.

Current Research/Focus In recent years, perhaps coinciding with the decline in prescriptive hormone replacement therapy after menopause, we have seen a gradual reduction in female breast cancer incidence rates among women aged 50 and older. Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1990, in part to better due to screening and early detection, increased awareness, and continually improving treatment options. Breast Cancer if caught in its early stages can be treatable, get tested, and take care of your body!

Works Cited ◦N.p. Web. 1 Apr ◦Hughes L, Wong M, Page D, et al. Five year results of Intergroup study E5194: local excision alone (without radiation treatment) for selected patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium ◦"The Impact of Breast Cancer." Breast Cancer Care. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Apr ◦"Types of Breast Cancers." Types of Breast Cancers. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Apr