Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 214,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. Women now face a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer at some point in their life.
The human breast is a gland that is composed of milk ducts, lobes, fatty tissue, and a network of lymphatic vessels. Cancerous tumors can develop in any part of the breast. These tumors can be detected through self-examination, mammograms or thermal imaging.
The majority of lumps discovered in the breast are cysts or fibroid masses. A lump that seems to be growing or does not move may be cancerous, or it may be caused by fibrocystic changes during the menstrual cycle.
If a lump is discovered, a biopsy is required to determine if it is cancerous or benign. In addition to tumors, breast cancer can cause a yellow, bloody, or clear discharge from the nipple.
Many people think of breast cancer as being a single entity; however, there are many different types of the disease. Some types of breast cancer include the following:
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