Breast Cancer

Cancer is a group of diseases in which cells in the body grow, change, and multiply out of control. Usually, cancer is named after the body part in which it originated; thus, breast-cancer refers to the erratic growth and proliferation of cells that originate in the breast tissue. A group of rapidly dividing cells may form a lump or mass of extra tissue. These masses are called tumors. Tumors can either be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). Malignant tumors penetrate and destroy healthy body tissues. A group of cells within a tumor may also break away and spread to other parts of the body. Cells that spread from one region of the body into another are called metastases. Breast-Cancer is a malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast. Usually breast-cancer either begins in the cells of the lobules, which are the milk-producing glands, or the ducts, the passages that drain milk from the lobules to the nipple. Less commonly, breast-cancer can begin in the stromal tissues, which include the fatty and fibrous connective tissues of the breast.

Breast-cancer is always caused by a genetic abnormality as we mentioned above. However, only 5-10% of cancers are due to an abnormality inherited from your mother or father. About 90% of breast cancers are due to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process and the “wear and tear” of life in general.

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Hope Blossoms Bath Salts - Support Breast-Cancer Reasearch Through the National Breast-Cancer Foundation, AHAVA is helping to find a cure for breast-cancer. AHAVA will make a donation to the National Breast-Cancer Foundation in support of their mission to help fund research and promote education and early detection.

There are many types of breast cancers. Breast cancers range from localized cancers such as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive cancers that can rapidly spread (metastasize).

If you have a strong (positive) family history for breast cancer, ovariancancer or even prostatecancer, this information is relevant to your diagnosis. A strong family history in this case usually means that a mother, sibling, child, or father has had a related malignancy. Information about other family members (aunts, nieces, etc.) is also important. This is especially significant if the diagnosis of breast-cancer was made at an early age or involved both breasts or a breast and an ovary in the same individual. A positive family history may need a more comprehensive diagnostic workup, more involved treatment, and consideration of genetic testing, not only for you but for other family members too. The American Cancer Society estimates that each year over 178,000 American women and 2,000 American men will be diagnosed with breast-cancer. Breast-cancer is the leading cause of death among women between 40 and 55 years of age and is the second overall cause of death among women (exceeded only by lung cancer). Fortunately, the mortality rate from breast-cancer has decreased in recent years with an increased emphasis on early detection and more effective treatments.

Women 20-39 should have a physical examination of the breast at least every three years.

Women 40 and older should have a physical examination of the breast every year, together with a mammogram.

Women 40 years of age should receive a screening mammogram every year. The National Cancer Institute recommends mammography every one to two years for women between 40-50 years of age.

Beginning at age 50, screening mammography should be performed every year.

It is recommended by the American Cancer Society to no longer have monthly breast self exams, but to be examined by a health care professional such as a physician, physician assistant, nurse or nurse practitioner.

Last but not least, it is very important to know that you need to understand that every change and every lump found in your breasts does not mean you have Breast-Cancer, especially as your breasts are growing and changing, they'll have lumps and bumps anyway.

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