Breast Cancer
Breast cancer happens when breast cells grow in an uncontrolled way.
In any cancer, abnormal changes happen within the genes which regulate and control the growth of the cells. These genes are contained within each cell's nucleus. In normal instances old cells are replaced with healthy new cells which take over the role of the previous cells. However, with time mutations can occur which cause the cells to begin to change. They begin to divide in an uncontrolled way and form a tumour.
Not all tumours are cancerous.
Some are benign and these are not dangerous. However, when the cells forming the tumour are malignant then they can be very dangerous.
Benign tumours tend to grow slowly and the cells within them are fairly normal in appearance. They do not spread into surrounding tissues and they do not spread within the body.
Malignant tumours on the other hand, are cancerous; they tend to grow rapidly and without appropriate treatment can spread into surrounding tissues and organs and to other parts of the body forming secondary tumours.
In the case of breast cancer, the cells in the breast have undergone malignant changes leading to the development of a malignant tumour. Breast cancer often begins in the cells of the milk producing glands (the lobules), or the milk ducts which in a breastfeeding mother allow the milk to flow from the lobules to the nipple. Sometimes breast cancer begins in the stromal tissues; these include the breast's fatty and connective tissues.
Given time, cancer cells can spread into surrounding healthy breast tissue and into lymph nodes in the armpit. These nodes usually help to get rid of foreign substances in the body but once cancer cells have spread this far they can then make their way into other parts of the body.
Although breast cancer is always caused by a genetic abnormality, very few of the these abnormalities are inherited. Usually breast cancer is something that simply occurs due to the ageing process. However, getting older doesn't necessarily mean you are bound to get breast cancer; you can limit your chances of getting breast cancer by looking at your lifestyle and making sensible changes where necessary. You should try to ensure you are eating a balanced diet, reduce your alcohol intake, take regular exercise (government recommendations are 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week), stop smoking and if you are pregnant, there is some evidence to suggest that you will reduce your chances of getting breast cancer by breastfeeding your baby.
See also:
Further Information
For further information and breast cancer support, please visit Macmillan Org
