Research for Breast Cancer

"I am too young to worry about breast cancer." "If you have a lump in your boob, it is cancer." "I don't have a family history. I am safe.""Thank God, I am a male."
Have you heard somebody say this and wondered if it was actually true?

Breast cancer can affect women and men alike and is the second most common type of cancer worldwide next to lung cancer. Breast cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Among women, this cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. It is more prominent in industrially developed countries than in countries not industrially developed.

There are plenty of signs or symptoms involved with detecting breast cancer. The most notable sign or symptom is the discovery of a lump. This lump usually feels different than the surrounding tissue. More than 80 percent of cases are discovered by the woman doing a self-test and finding a lump on the breast according to the Merck Manual. The first red flag discovered by doctors is through mammograms according to American Cancer Society.

The most serious form of breast cancer is metastatic cancer which involves the spread of a cancer from the place where it began. It generally metastasizes into the lymph nodes under the arms or above the collarbone on the same side of the body as the cancer which results in pain and swelling to the affected area as the lymphatic drainage system is compromised. Other common sites of breast cancer metastasis are the brain, liver and the bones.

Apart from the very obvious factor of gender, age is a critical factor when looking at the risk of contracting breast cancer. Although it can and does appear at any age the risk of getting it certainly rises as you get older. A normal woman aged 30 will normally have a 1 in 280 chance of getting breast cancer by the time she reaches 40. However, this then increases to a 1 in 70 chance when that same women is in her forties.

Research indicates that the body's immune system may distinguish normal cells from cancer cells. An abnormal or overwhelmed immune system may allow cancer cells to develop. Biologic or immunotherapy is used to stimulate the body's own immune system to better fight the cancer cells.This is just a brief overview in answer to every patient's question, "What is the treatment for breast cancer?" In short, there is no "one-size-fits-all" line of attack against cancer.

Each treatment is as individual as the person receiving it. Ask your doctor before making any decisions on which type of treatment is best for you. With research, new treatments continue to evolve. Know what is happening with breast cancer research and new treatments. The next one may be the cure.

This Breast Cancer Information blog dedicated to support and give information for women and it is intended for general information only.