Breast Cancer in Men

In this Article

 Which Men Are More Likely to Get Breast Cancer?

 Symptoms
 Diagnosis and Treatment

Even though men don't have breasts like women, they do have a small amount of breast
tissue. The "breasts" of an adult man are similar to the breasts of a girl before puberty. In
girls, this tissue grows and develops, but in men, it doesn't.

But because it is still breast tissue, men can get breast cancer. Men get the same types of
breast cancers that women do, but cancers involving the parts that make and store milk are
rare.

Doctors used to think that breast cancer in men was more severe than it was in women, but it
now seems that it's about the same.

The major problem is that breast cancer in men is often diagnosed later than breast cancer in
women. This may be because men are less likely to be suspicious of something strange in that
area. Also, their small amount of breast tissue is harder to feel, making it more difficult to
catch these cancers early. It also means tumors can spread more quickly to surrounding
tissues.

Which Men Are More Likely to Get Breast Cancer?

It's rare for a man under age 35 to get breast cancer. A man's chance of getting breast cancer
goes up with age. Most breast cancers happen to men between ages 60 and 70.

Other things that raise the odds for male breast cancer include:

 Breast cancer in a close female relative

 History of radiation exposure of the chest
 Enlargement of breasts (called gynecomastia) from drug or hormone treatments, or
even some infections and poisons
 Taking estrogen
 A rare genetic condition called Klinefelter's syndrome
 Severe liver disease, called cirrhosis
 Diseases of the testicles such as mumps orchitis, a testicular injury, or an undescended
testicle

Symptoms
Symptoms of breast cancer in men are similar to those in women. Most male breast cancers
are diagnosed when a man discovers a lump on his chest.
But unlike women, men tend to delay going to the doctor until they have more severe
symptoms, like bleeding from the nipple. At that point, the cancer may have already spread.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The same techniques that are used to diagnose breast cancer in women are used in men:
physical exams, mammography, and biopsies (examining small samples of tissue under a
microscope).

Likewise, the same treatments that are used in treating breast cancer in women -- surgery,
radiation, chemotherapy, biological therapy, and hormone therapy -- are also used to treat
breast cancer in men. The one major difference is that men with breast cancer respond much
better to hormone therapy than women do. About 90% of male breast cancers have hormone
receptors, meaning that hormone therapy can work in most men to treat the cancer.

Living & Managing

Coping with breast cancer can be draining and stressful. Here are some tips to help you
manage life with and after breast cancer.

1. Fighting Cancer-Related Fatigue You’re likely to have some fatigue while you're
getting treated for breast cancer. Here are some possible reasons for it, along with tips
to help you get some of your energy back.
2. Follow-Up Care After breast cancer treatment, follow-up care is a must. Here’s an
overview to help you keep track.
3. Nutrition and Exercise Regardless of the type of breast cancer treatment you are
receiving, this is a time to take care of yourself by eating right, getting enough rest,
and, if possible, exercising.
4. Breast Reconstruction Surgery Getting breast reconstruction surgery after a
mastectomy is a personal choice. Here are some facts to help you make your decision.
5. Tips for Family and Friends Do you have a friend or relative with breast cancer? Here
are tips for supporting her.

Support & Resources

Many people and organizations are ready to help you handle breast cancer, including clinical
trials and support groups. Here's how to find them.

1. Where to Find Help If you’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, you owe it
yourself to get help dealing with the questions, problems, and emotions you're facing.
2. Cancer Message Board Meet others diagnosed with breast cancer and get answers to
your questions on WebMD's message board.
3. Breast Cancer Resources Tap into this list of resources to learn more about breast
cancer.
4. National Comprehensive Cancer Network The National Comprehensive Cancer
Network is a nonprofit alliance of 21 cancer centers throughout the U.S. that treat all
cancers.
Support & Resources
Many people and organizations are ready to help you handle breast cancer, including clinical
trials and support groups. Here's how to find them.

1. Where to Find Help If you’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, you owe it
yourself to get help dealing with the questions, problems, and emotions you're facing.
2. Cancer Message Board Meet others diagnosed with breast cancer and get answers to
your questions on WebMD's message board.
3. Breast Cancer Resources Tap into this list of resources to learn more about breast
cancer.
4. National Comprehensive Cancer Network The National Comprehensive Cancer
Network is a nonprofit alliance of 21 cancer centers throughout the U.S. that treat all
cancers.

https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/guide/breast-cancer-men

Overview
Breast cancer is often thought of as something that only affects women, but men can get
it in rare cases. It develops in the small amount of breast tissue men have behind their
nipples.

It usually occurs in men over 60, but can very occasionally affect younger men.

Symptoms of breast cancer in men

Signs of breast cancer in men include:

 a lump in the breast – this is usually hard, painless and doesn't move around within
the breast
 the nipple turning inwards (inverted nipple)
 fluid oozing from the nipple (nipple discharge), which may be streaked with blood
 a sore or rash around the nipple that doesn't go away
 the nipple or surrounding skin becoming hard, red or swollen
 small bumps in the armpit (swollen glands)

Read more about the symptoms of breast cancer in men.

When to see your GP

See your GP if you have:

 a lump in your breast

 any other worrying symptoms, such as nipple discharge
 a history of breast cancer (in men or women) in close members of your family and
you're worried about your chances of getting it
It's very unlikely you have cancer, but it's best to get checked out. Your GP will examine
your breast and can refer you for tests and scans for breast cancer if needed.

If you don't have symptoms but have a clear family history of breast cancer, your GP may
refer you to a genetic specialist to discuss your risk of getting it.

There are some inherited genes that increase your risk of cancer and a blood test can be done
to check for these. Read about testing for cancer risk genes.

Treatments for breast cancer in men

The treatment for breast cancer in men depends on how far the cancer has spread.

Possible treatments include:

 surgery to remove the affected breast tissue and nipple (mastectomy) and some of the
glands in your armpit
 radiotherapy – where radiation is used to kill cancer cells
 chemotherapy – where medication is used to kill cancer cells
 other medicines that help stop breast cancer growing – including tamoxifen and
trastuzumab (Herceptin)

Many men have surgery followed by one or more of the other treatments. This can help stop
the cancer coming back in the future.

Read more about treatments for breast cancer in men.

Outlook for breast cancer in men

The outlook for breast cancer in men varies depending on how far it has spread by the time
it's diagnosed.

It may be possible to cure breast cancer it it's caught at an early stage.

A cure is much less likely if the cancer isn't found until it has spread beyond the breast. In
these cases, treatment can relieve your symptoms and help you live longer.

Speak to your breast care nurse if you'd like to know more about the outlook for your cancer.

Causes of breast cancer in men

The exact cause of breast cancer in men isn't known, but there are some things that increase
your risk of getting it.

These include:

 genes and family history – inheriting faulty versions of genes called BRCA1 or
BRCA2 increases your risk of breast cancer
  conditions that can increase the level of oestrogen in the body – including obesity,
Klinefelter syndrome and scarring of the liver (cirrhosis)
 previous radiotherapy to the chest area

It's not certain if you can do anything to reduce your risk, but eating a balanced diet, losing
weight if you're overweight and not drinking too much alcohol may help.

Symptoms
The main symptom of breast cancer in men is a lump in the breast. The nipple or skin
may also be affected.

See your GP if you have a breast lump or any other symptoms that worry you.

It's very unlikely you have cancer, but it's best to get checked out.

Breast lump
Cancerous breast lumps usually:

 occur in one breast

 develop under or around the nipple
 are painless (but in rare cases they can hurt)
 feel hard or rubbery
 don't move around within the breast
 feel bumpy rather than smooth
 get bigger over time

Most lumps and swellings aren't a sign of cancer.

They're usually caused by something fairly harmless, such as gynaecomastia (enlarged male
breast tissue), a lipoma (fatty lump) or a cyst (fluid-filled bump).

A GP can check your lump and refer you for tests and scans for breast cancer if needed.

Other symptoms
Other signs of breast cancer in men include:

 the nipple turning inwards (inverted nipple)

 fluid oozing from the nipple (nipple discharge), which may be streaked with blood
 a sore or rash around the nipple that doesn't go away
 the nipple or surrounding skin becoming hard, red or swollen
 small bumps in the armpit (swollen glands)

Further symptoms may develop if the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, such as the
bones, lungs or liver.
These symptoms can include:

 feeling tired all the time

 aching or painful bones
 shortness of breath
 feeling sick
 itchy skin with yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

Diagnosis
See your GP if you have symptoms of breast cancer. They will examine you and ask
about your symptoms.

Your GP can refer you to a specialist breast clinic for the following scans and tests if needed.

Ultrasound scan
An ultrasound scan of your breast may be carried out to look for a lump in your breast and
see it it's solid or filled with fluid. A solid lump is more likely to be cancerous.

An ultrasound scan uses high-frequency sound waves to produce an image of the inside of
your breasts.

You'll need to remove your top for the test, which involves a small device being moved over
your chest to create an image on a screen.

Breast X-ray (mammogram)

Sometimes an X-ray of your breast, called a mammogram, may be carried out to look for any
lumps or unusual areas.

But these aren't done very often these days because they can be uncomfortable (your chest
will be firmly pressed against a special plate while the scan is taken) and they don't usually
show much more than an ultrasound scan does.

Biopsy
If a lump or unusual area is found in your breast, a biopsy will be carried out to check if it's
cancer.

This is where a small piece of breast tissue is removed using a needle. Local anaesthetic is
used to numb your skin so the needle doesn't hurt.

The piece of tissue will be checked in a laboratory to see if it contains any cancer cells and to
find out more about the cells (such as whether hormone treatment might work).

Coping with a diagnosis

Being told you have breast cancer can cause a wide range of emotions, such as shock, fear,
confusion and, in some cases, embarrassment.

Feelings of isolation are also common. This may be because there's little in the way of
information and advice for men with breast cancer.

Speak to your GP or care team if you're struggling to come to terms with your diagnosis.
They can offer support and advice.

You may also find it useful to talk to other men with the condition. The charity Breast Cancer
Care has an online forum for men with breast cancer. Cancer Research UK also has Cancer
Chat, an online forum for anyone affected by cancer.

Treatment
The treatment for breast cancer in men largely depends on how far the cancer has
spread. Possible treatments include surgery, radiotherapy and medication.

Your treatment plan

You'll be cared for by a team of specialists who will help you make decisions about your
treatment.

Your recommended treatment plan will depend on how far the cancer has spread, but the final
decision about going ahead with treatment is yours.

You may find it useful to write a list of questions you'd like to ask your team. For example,
you could ask about the advantages and disadvantages of particular treatments.

If the cancer hasn't spread very far beyond your breast, a cure may be possible. This will
usually involve surgery, possibly followed by radiotherapy or a course of medication.

If the cancer has spread into other parts of your body, a complete cure may not be
possible. But treatment can help relieve symptoms and slow down the spread of the cancer.

Surgery
An operation called a mastectomy is the main treatment for breast cancer.

This involves removing all the breast tissue from the affected breast as well as the nipple, and
possibly also the glands in your armpit and some of the muscle under your breast.

The operation is carried out under general anaesthetic (where you're asleep). You'll probably
need to stay in hospital for a day or two.

It can take several months to fully recover. The Royal College of Surgeons of England has
a leaflet for people recovering from a mastectomy with detailed information and advice.
Your body after surgery

After surgery, there'll be a straight scar across your chest where your nipple used to be and
possibly a dent where the breast tissue was removed.

The scar will be raised and red at first, but it should flatten and fade with time. The area will
also be bruised and swollen for the first few weeks.

It may be possible to have further surgery at some point to improve the appearance of your
breast and create a replacement nipple. Other options include tattooing a new nipple on
to your chest.

Talk to your care team about how your chest will look after surgery and what your options
are for improving its appearance if necessary.

Possible complications

Side effects and risks of a mastectomy include:

 pain and discomfort for a week or two – you'll be given painkillers to help with this
 numbness or tingling around the scar and in your upper arm – this should pass within
a few weeks or months, but can occasionally be permanent
 a wound infection, causing redness, swelling, warmth or discharge from the wound –
tell your nurse or doctor if you get any of these symptoms
 painful swelling in the arm (lymphoedema) – this may be permanent, but can be
treated (read more about treatments for lymphoedema)

Before having surgery, talk to your surgeon and breast care nurse about the possible risks.

Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is a treatment where radiation is used to kill cancer cells. In breast cancer in
men, it may be used to:

 help stop the cancer coming back after surgery

 slow down the spread of the cancer and relieve symptoms if a cure isn't possible
(palliative radiotherapy)

It involves several treatment sessions where a machine is used to carefully aim beams of
radiation at the cancer. Each session usually only lasts for 10 to 15 minutes and you can go
home afterwards.

A typical course of treatment involves two to five sessions a week over three to six weeks,
although palliative radiotherapy may involve fewer sessions.

Side effects

Radiotherapy isn't painful, although you'll probably get some side effects. Most of these
should pass once treatment stops.
Common side effects of radiotherapy include:

 sore, red skin (similar to sunburn) on your chest

 feeling very tired
 feeling sick
 temporary hair loss in the area of your chest being treated

Read more about the side effects of radiotherapy.

Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy is a treatment that involves taking medication to block the effects of a
hormone called oestrogen.

Around 9 in 10 breast cancers in men are "oestrogen receptor positive", which means the
cancer cells need oestrogen to grow.

Hormone therapy can be used to:

 help stop the cancer coming back after surgery

 slow down the spread of the cancer and relieve symptoms if a cure isn't possible

The most commonly used hormone medicine is tamoxifen. This is taken as a tablet or liquid
every day, usually for five years.

Side effects

Tamoxifen can cause some unpleasant side effects, such as:

 feeling sick (this usually wears off quite quickly)

 hot flushes
 weight gain
 difficulty sleeping
 changes in mood, such as feeling irritable or depressed
 loss of sex drive (libido)

Tell your care team if you have any troublesome side effects. Other hormone medicines, such
as a type called aromatase inhibitors, are available if needed.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment where powerful medication is used to kill cancer cells. It may be
used if hormone therapy isn't suitable for you.

In breast cancer in men, chemotherapy may be used to:

 help stop the cancer coming back after surgery

 slow down the spread of the cancer and relieve symptoms if a cure isn't possible
It involves several treatment sessions where medicine is given directly into a vein. Each
session usually lasts a few hours and you can go home afterwards.

A typical course of treatment involves six sessions, with a break of a few weeks between
each one to allow your body to recover.

Side effects

Chemotherapy can cause a range of unpleasant side effects, although most of these should
pass once treatment stops.

Side effects of chemotherapy can include:

 feeling very tired

 feeling and being sick
 temporary hair loss
 being more vulnerable to infections – tell your care team if you feel unwell or develop
symptoms such as a fever and chills
 loss of appetite
 diarrhoea
 infertility

Read more about the side effects of chemotherapy.

Trastuzumab (Herceptin)
Trastuzumab (brand name Herceptin) is a medicine that blocks the effect of a substance
called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).

In some breast cancers in men, HER2 contributes to the growth of the cancer cells.

Trastuzumab is usually used after radiotherapy or chemotherapy to help stop the cancer
coming back.

It's given as a liquid directly into a vein or as an injection under the skin. You come into
hospital for treatment and go home shortly afterwards.

A typical course of treatment involves a treatment session every three weeks for a year.

Side effects

Trastuzumab can cause some unpleasant side effects, such as:

 a reaction to the medication – this can cause chills, a fever, swelling of the face and
lips, headache, hot flushes, feeling sick, wheezing and breathlessness
 tiredness and difficulty sleeping
 diarrhoea or constipation
 an increased risk of infections
 loss of appetite and weight loss
  pain in your muscles, joints, chest or tummy
 heart problems

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-in-men/treatment/

Overview of Male Breast Cancer

The etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer in males is similar to that in females.
Unlike breast cancer in females, however, breast cancer in men is rare. Although its
frequency has increased in recent decades—particularly in the urban United States, Canada,
and the United Kingdom—breast cancer in males accounts for less than 1% of breast cancers.
[1]
In the United States, males are expected to account for only 2600 of the estimated 249,260
cases of breast cancer predicted to occur in 2016. [2]

Male Breast Cancer

All people, whether male or female, are born with some breast cells and tissue. Even though
males do not develop milk-producing breasts, a man’s breast cells and tissue can still develop
cancer. Even so, male breast cancer is very rare. Less than one percent of all breast cancer
cases develop in men, and only one in a thousand men will ever be diagnosed with breast
cancer.

Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola.
Men carry a higher mortality than women do, primarily because awareness among men is less
and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking
treatment.

Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma

Of the men who develop breast cancer, the vast majority of those cases are Infiltrating Ductal
Carcinoma (IDC), which means cells in or around the ducts begin to invade surrounding
tissue. Very rarely, a man might be diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, or Paget
disease, of the nipple.

Risk Factors
 Radiation exposure
 High levels of the hormone estrogen
 Family history of breast cancer, especially breast cancer that is related to the BRCA2
gene.
Signs & Symptoms
Male breast cancer can exhibit the same symptoms as breast cancer in women, including a
lump. Anyone who notices anything unusual about their breasts, whether male or female,
should contact their physician immediately. Survival rates and treatment for men with breast
cancer are very similar to those for women. Early detection of breast cancer increases
treatment options and often reduces the risk of dying from breast cancer.

Genetic testing
Although treatment outcomes are very similar to women at the same stage of detection, a man
diagnosed with breast cancer should also consider seeing a genetics counselor for a
consultation. If a man tests positive for a defective gene (most commonly either BRCA1 or
BRCA2) that can lead to a future diagnosis of breast cancer and his children have a 50%
chance of carrying the gene. In addition:

 A male child of a man with breast cancer who inherits the defective BRCA2 gene has
only approximately 6% chance of eventually developing breast cancer and just over
1% with BRCA1.
 A female child of a man with breast cancer who inherits the defective gene has a risk
between 40% and 80% of eventually developing breast cancer.
 Men with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer are also at higher risk of getting
prostate cancer at a younger age than usually diagnosed.

Male Breast Cancer

All people, whether male or female, are born with some breast cells and tissue. Even though
males do not develop milk-producing breasts, a man’s breast cells and tissue can still develop
cancer. Even so, male breast cancer is very rare. Less than one percent of all breast cancer
cases develop in men, and only one in a thousand men will ever be diagnosed with breast
cancer.

Breast cancer in men is usually detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola.
Men carry a higher mortality than women do, primarily because awareness among men is less
and they are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking
treatment.

Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma

Of the men who develop breast cancer, the vast majority of those cases are Infiltrating Ductal
Carcinoma (IDC), which means cells in or around the ducts begin to invade surrounding
tissue. Very rarely, a man might be diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, or Paget
disease, of the nipple.

Risk Factors
 Radiation exposure
 High levels of the hormone estrogen
 Family history of breast cancer, especially breast cancer that is related to the BRCA2
gene.

Signs & Symptoms

Male breast cancer can exhibit the same symptoms as breast cancer in women, including a
lump. Anyone who notices anything unusual about their breasts, whether male or female,
should contact their physician immediately. Survival rates and treatment for men with breast
cancer are very similar to those for women. Early detection of breast cancer increases
treatment options and often reduces the risk of dying from breast cancer.

Genetic testing
Although treatment outcomes are very similar to women at the same stage of detection, a man
diagnosed with breast cancer should also consider seeing a genetics counselor for a
consultation. If a man tests positive for a defective gene (most commonly either BRCA1 or
BRCA2) that can lead to a future diagnosis of breast cancer and his children have a 50%
chance of carrying the gene. In addition:

 A male child of a man with breast cancer who inherits the defective BRCA2 gene has
only approximately 6% chance of eventually developing breast cancer and just over
1% with BRCA1.
 A female child of a man with breast cancer who inherits the defective gene has a risk
between 40% and 80% of eventually developing breast cancer.
 Men with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer are also at higher risk of getting
prostate cancer at a younger age than usually diagnosed.

Causes of Breast Cancer: How did this happen?

When you’re told that you have breast cancer, it’s natural to wonder what may have caused
the disease. But no one knows the exact causes of breast cancer. Doctors seldom know why
one woman develops breast cancer and another doesn’t, and most women who have breast
cancer will never be able to pinpoint an exact cause. What we do know is that breast cancer is
always caused by damage to a cell's DNA.

Breast Tumors
"I am one woman among hundreds of thousands of women who are learning to be
courageous, and to overcome, and to live in the face of cancer."

Jan was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in June 2009 after undergoing a routine bone
scan for an unrelated injury. A wife and mother, Jan described her initial diagnosis as a
complete shock. "I remember just the sensation of having the wind sucked out of my lungs, a
sucker punch, or something that stops you mid-stride," says Jan about her diagnosis. "And
then as you begin to breathe again, there's this one million questions that circle your mind."

Watch Jan's inspirational story and learn more about how she overcame breast cancer.

A tumor is a mass of abnormal tissue. There are two types of breast cancer tumors: those that
are non-cancerous, or ‘benign’, and those that are cancerous, which are ‘malignant’.

Benign Tumors

When a tumor is diagnosed as benign, doctors will usually leave it alone rather than remove
it. Even though these tumors are not generally aggressive toward surrounding tissue,
occasionally they may continue to grow, pressing on organs and causing pain or other
problems. In these situations, the tumor is removed, allowing pain or complications to
subside.

Malignant tumors

Malignant tumors are cancerous and aggressive because they invade and damage surrounding
tissue. When a tumor is suspected to be malignant, the doctor will perform a biopsy to
determine the severity or aggressiveness of the tumor.

Metastatic cancer

Metastatic cancer is when cancer cells of a malignant tumor spread to other parts of the body,
usually through the lymph system, and form a secondary tumor.
Tumor grades
Tumor grading is a system used to classify a malignant breast cancer tumor based upon the
severity of the mutation and the likelihood that it will spread. The breast cancer cells are
examined under a microscope to determine, among other factors, how closely the breast
cancer cells resemble the healthy cells (called the histologic grade) and the shape and size of
the tumor cells’ nuclei (called the nuclear grade) as well as how rapidly those cells divide and
multiply.

When dealing with breast cancer, tumors are often graded based on a scale of one to three
indicating how aggressive the cancerous cells are:

 Low grade (1) - Well-diffentiated

 Intermediate grade (2) - Moderately differentiated
 High grade (3) - Poorly differentiated

Low grade tumors look more like normal tissue under the microscope. High-grade tumors
look abnormal and less like normal tissue and tend to be more aggressive.

Breast Anatomy
As you learn about breast cancer, we will repeatedly reference the anatomy of the breast.
Understanding the different parts and functions will help you better grasp the details of breast
cancer.

Knowing your body helps you to:

 Make informed decisions.

 Have a better dialogue with your doctor.
 Be aware of anything unusual.
Adipose tissue
The female breast is mostly made up of a collection of fat cells called adipose tissue. This
tissue extends from the collarbone down to the underarm and across to the middle of the
ribcage.
Lobes, lobules, and milk ducts
A healthy female breast is made up of 12–20 sections called lobes. Each of these lobes is
made up of many smaller lobules, the gland that produces milk in nursing women. Both the
lobes and lobules are connected by milk ducts, which act as stems or tubes to carry the milk
to the nipple. These breast structures are generally where the cancer begins to form.
The Lymph System
Within the adipose tissue is a network of ligaments, fibrous connective tissue, nerves, lymph
vessels, lymph nodes, and blood vessels.
The lymph system, which is part of the immune system, is a network of lymph vessels and
lymph nodes running throughout the entire body. Similar to how the blood circulatory system
distributes elements throughout the body, the lymph system transports disease-fighting cells
and fluids. Clusters of bean-shaped lymph nodes are fixed in areas throughout the lymph
system and act as filters by carrying abnormal cells away from healthy tissue.

The type of breast cancer is generally determined by the origin of the growth of cancer cells,
which is almost always in the lobes, lobules, or ducts. When cancer is found in the nearby
lymph nodes, it helps doctors identify just how far the cancer has spread. If the nearest nodes
contain cancer, additional nodes are usually examined for the presence or absence of cancer
cells to understand how far the disease has progressed.
Breast cancer tumor grades are not to be confused with cancer stages. Tumor grades help to
determine the best treatment plan, and in general, a lower grade tumor means a better chance
for a full recovery. However, there are individuals who make full recoveries at every stage
and with even the highest grades of aggressive tumors.

Growth of Cancer

What causes breast cancer growth?

There is much that we know and much that we have yet to understand. However, we do know
that cancer spreads in three important ways:

1. Damaged cells replicate, creating more damaged cells and tumor growth.
2. Our body’s hormones and chemicals can accelerate the growth of some tumors.
3. Lymph and blood vessels can carry the cancer to others areas of the body, and lymph
node examination can help pinpoint the progression of the disease.
Damaged cells
Healthy cells are the basic building blocks of all tissue and organs in the body. But when cell
DNA (the cell’s wiring) is damaged, mutated cells begin to rapidly reproduce without
following the pre-wired plan. Aggressive cell growth can form a tumor (or mass of tissue)
that does not function as originally intended. These abnormal cells or groups of cells can
progress into the disease known as breast cancer and can spread to other parts of the body.
Accelerated Growth
The growth and spread of breast cancer can be difficult to grasp because cancer cell growth is
often fueled by normally healthy chemicals of the body, like estrogen, progesterone, and the
HER2/neu gene (a growth hormone). Although each of these three bodily chemicals can
serve an important healthy function, when a cell becomes cancerous these chemicals can
accelerate the growth of breast cancer tumors.

Healthy HER2 receptors are the proteins that help manage how a breast cell grows, divides,
and repairs itself. However, in about a quarter of all breast cancer patients, the HER2 gene
isn’t functioning properly. It makes an excess number of copies of itself in a process known
as “HER2 gene amplification.” Then these extra genes instruct the cells to make too many
HER2 receptors, which is called “HER2 protein overexpression.” The ultimate result is that
breast cells grow and divide in an uncontrolled fashion.
Think of a receptor as a mouth. When open, cancer cells can feed and grow. When blocked
off or closed, the same cells begin to starve.

By identifying the cancer’s unique receptors, your doctor can recommend effective treatment
methods to block the receptors. Remember, inhibiting the cancer’s “food supply” works to
restrict the cancer’s growth. Ideally, your treatment plan will stop the cancer growth before it
spreads through the lymph system and on to other tissue and organs in the body.
The Lymph System
The lymph system, which is part of the immune system, is a network of lymph vessels and
lymph nodes running throughout the entire body. Similar to how the blood circulatory system
distributes elements throughout the body, the lymph system transports disease-fighting cells
and fluids. Clusters of bean-shaped lymph nodes are fixed in areas throughout the lymph
system; they act as filters by carrying abnormal cells away from healthy tissue.

The type of breast cancer is generally determined by the origin of the growth of cancer cells,
which is almost always in the lobes, lobules, or ducts. When cancer is found in the nearby
lymph nodes, it helps doctors identify just how far the cancer has spread. If the nearest nodes
contain cancer, additional nodes are usually examined for the presence or absence of cancer
cells to understand how far the disease has progressed.

Risk Factors

Protect Your Health.

Did you know that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime? While
you can't prevent cancer, it is important to be proactive about your health. Get the free
Healthy Living and Personal Risk Guide to help you protect your overall health and assess

your breast cancer risk.

Where can we send your copy of this helpful guide?

What Do Scientists Actually Know About The Cause Of

breast cancer?
Cancer grows when a cell’s DNA is damaged, 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.

Genetic Factors
 Gender: Breast cancer occurs nearly 100 times more often in women than in men.
 Age: Two out of three women with invasive cancer are diagnosed after age 55.
 Race: Breast cancer is diagnosed more often in caucasian women than women of
other races.
 Family History and Genetic Factors: If your mother, sister, father or child has been
diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, you have a higher risk of being diagnosed
with breast cancer in the future. Your risk increases if your relative was diagnosed
before the age of 50.
 Personal Health History: If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer in one
breast, you have an increased risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in the other
breast in the future. Also, your risk increases if abnormal breast cells have been
detected before (such as atypical hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or
ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)).
 Menstrual and Reproductive History: Early menstruation (before age 12), late
menopause (after 55), having your first child at an older age, or never having given
birth can also increase your risk for breast cancer.
 Certain Genome Changes: Mutations in certain genes, such as BRCA1 and
BRCA2, can increase your risk for breast cancer. This is determined through a genetic
test, which you may consider taking if you have a family history of breast cancer.
Individuals with these gene mutations can pass the gene mutation onto their children.
 Dense Breast Tissue: Having dense breast tissue can increase your risk for breast
cancer and make lumps harder to detect. Several states have passed laws requiring
physicians to disclose to women if their mammogram indicates that they have dense
breasts so that they are aware of this risk. Be sure to ask your physician if you have
dense breasts and what the implications of having dense breasts are.
Environmental and Lifestyle Risk Factors
 Lack of Physical Activity: A sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity can
increase your risk for breast cancer.
 Poor Diet: A diet high in saturated fat and lacking fruits and vegetables can increase
your risk for breast cancer.
 Being Overweight or Obese: Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for
breast cancer. Your risk is increased if you have already gone through menopause.
 Drinking Alcohol: Frequent consumption of alcohol can increase your risk for breast
cancer. 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, can increase your risk for breast
cancer and increases the risk that the cancer will be detected at a more advanced
stage.
What Are The Stats?
60-70% of people with breast cancer have no connection to these risk factors at all, and other
people with risk factors will never develop cancer.

These do not cause breast cancer

 Breast cancer is not contagious; you can’t contract cancer from a person who has the
disease.
 Breast cancer is not caused by wearing underwire bras, implants, deodorants,
antiperspirants, mammograms, caffeine, plastic food serving items, microwaves, or
cell phones, as myths often suggest.

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-risk-factors