Diagnosis
Chapter: 4 - Diagnosis
Subchapter: 1 - Causes of Breast Cancer
Causes of Breast Cancer
- What if it’s cancer?
- What caused it?
- What should I do now?
- How is breast cancer treated?
- How long will treatment take?
- What will it be like?
- Will I be okay?
- What about my family?
When a lump or suspicious site in your breast is detected, it raises some serious questions. In this chapter, we are going to do our best to answer them. We will discuss what doctors know and do not know, how to react to your diagnosis as well as how to understand it, and how to move beyond the shock.
Risk Factors
So what do scientists actually know about the causes of cancer? It’s a difficult question. Cancer grows when a cell’s DNA is damaged, which we discussed in Chapter 3, but why or how that DNA becomes damaged is still unknown. It could be genetic or environmental, or in most cases a combination of the two. But most patients will never know exactly what caused their cancer.
However, there are certain established risk factors that are associated with breast cancer:
- A family history with breast cancer
- Early menstruation (before age 12)
- Late menopause (after 55)
- Breast tissue that is more dense with lobular and ductal tissue relative to fatty tissue
- Noncancerous cell abnormalities
These factors are genetic, they are not something you can control.
60-70% of people with breast cancer have no connection to them at all, and other people with risk factors will never develop cancer.
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Sub Chapters
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Causes of Breast Cancer 02:13
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Why? 01:30
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Diagnostic Methods 03:50
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Biopsy 02:41
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Lab Tests 02:11
Related Questions
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How much Blueberry Extract should I take daily to help with my Triple Negative Breast Cancer?
Asked by anonymous
Survivor since 2012- View all 6 answers
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anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
I probably would'nt be taking it at all. My onco also advised not using natural supplements. You should speak to your onco first. Natural products have not been proven to help with any cancer.
Comment 1 -
anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
My oncologist told me to avoid antioxidants and supplements 3 days before and after. In between I maintained the healthiest diet filled with organic veggies in soup, green tea etc. I went for acupuncture to support my organs and combat nausea.
Comment 1
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Hello I am 20 years old and im scared. I've been feeling breast pain and do have lumps. Im getting pain under my arm as well. I do not have any other symptoms but i was wondering is there a possibility i could have cancer please help
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer- View all 5 answers
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anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
I know you are frightened and we all understand that. But, we are not doctors. You really must have it checked out by your doctor. It may be nothing at all to worry about but we can't tell you that. Please make an appt. with your doctor right away for your own piece of mind.
Comment 3 -
anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
Hi it's a very scary felling when you think something could be wrong make an appointment with your Dr. So he can check it out
Comment 1
My thoughts and prayers to you take care
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I got an ultrasound done, the results came back and my doctor said it was a BR4, what exactly is that?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer-
anonymous
Survivor since 2007
Here is a link that explains the Bi Rads system.
1 comment 2 -
anonymous
Survivor since 2013
Probably means Birads4, it's their way of "grading" the mammo. &/or U/S studies. They only used to assign the code to mammos. but started doing them on U/S studies, too, I guess. You can probably google Birads codes and see what it means as I think I know but I haven't done mammograms in...
1 comment 2Probably means Birads4, it's their way of "grading" the mammo. &/or U/S studies. They only used to assign the code to mammos. but started doing them on U/S studies, too, I guess. You can probably google Birads codes and see what it means as I think I know but I haven't done mammograms in several years. Codes go from 0-6, 5 used to be the highest but they added 6 several years ago.
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anybody had skin allergies and itchiness while on herceptin and radiation therapy?
Asked by anonymous
Family Member or Loved One- View all 5 answers
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anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
Hello Alglen. Im in jeddah now. Hope your mom is better.
2 comments 1 -
anonymous
Survivor since 2010
I was very itchy from the herceptin, i usually took a benadryl for a few days. Helped with the itchies and rash.
1 comment 1
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