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General Information About Breast Cancer
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Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells
form in the tissues of the breast.
The breast is made up of lobes and ducts. Each breast has 15 to 20 sections called
lobes, which have many smaller sections called lobules. Lobules end in dozens of tiny bulbs that
can produce milk. The lobes, lobules, and bulbs are linked by thin tubes called
ducts.
Each breast also contains blood
vessels and lymph
vessels. The lymph vessels carry an almost colorless fluid called lymph. Lymph
vessels lead to organs called lymph
nodes. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped structures that are
found throughout the body. They filter substances in lymph and help fight
infection and disease. Clusters of lymph nodes are found near the breast in the
axilla (under the arm), above the
collarbone, and in the chest.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer
in American women.
Women in the United States get breast cancer more than any other
type of cancer except for skin cancer. Breast cancer is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in women. Breast cancer occurs in men also, but the number of
cases is small.
Age and health history can affect the risk of developing breast cancer.
Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease
is called a risk factor. Risk factors for breast cancer include:
- Older age.
- Early age at menarche (menstruation).
- Older age at first birth or never having given birth.
- A personal history of breast cancer or benign (noncancer) breast disease.
- A mother or sister with breast cancer.
- Treatment with radiation therapy to the breast/chest.
- Breast tissue that is dense on a mammogram.
- Hormone use (such as estrogen and progesterone).
- Drinking alcoholic beverages.
- Caucasian race.
Refer to the PDQ summary on Genetics of Breast and Ovarian Cancer for more information about family history and breast cancer screening.
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