Programs & Services
Reducing the Risk
About
Breast Cancer
Information for survivors
Programs for women living with breast cancer
Health information for risk & recurrance
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Greater Hamilton
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How to support BCSS and our survivors
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The breast is a gland that is designed to make milk. Lobules in the breast make the milk, which then drains through a network of ducts to the nipple. Breasts consist of glands, ducts and fatty tissue.
Like all parts of your body, the cells in your breasts grow and rest in cycles. The periods of growth and rest in each cell are controlled by genes in the cell’s nucleus. The nucleus is like the control room of each cell. When your genes work well, they keep cell growth in check. But when your genes develop an abnormality, they sometimes lose their ability to control the cycle of cell growth and rest.
Breast Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells.
Women’s breasts can change throughout the monthly cycle, sometimes becoming lumpy and painful just before her period. This can be caused by hormonal shifts and fluid buildup. These symptoms usually disappear a few days after the menstrual cycle begins.
Women’s breasts also change as they age.Younger women’s breasts are mostly glands and milk ducts whereas older women’s breasts are mostly fatty tissue.
The most common type of breast cancer starts in the ducts but can also start in the lobules. Both types are highly treatable.
When researchers can definitively decide what causes cancer, they will be able to create a cure. They are getting closer every day, but haven't got the answer yet. Here's what we do know...
In our bodies, cells replicate and divide constantly, 24/7. Sometimes, the replication makes a mistake and a mutated or defective cell is created. This actually happens in every person's body thousands of times each day, and is part of the natural process. If everything is working correctly, our bodies treat these defective cells the same way they treat viruses and bacteria. The immune system gathers them up and forces them out of our body. When cancer cells are created faster than your immune system can destroy them, clusters of these cells can gather, forming tumors.
Reasons for this may be a weakened immune system, or an imbalance in the body causing too many of the defective cells. To help reduce your risks of getting cancer, keep your immune system strong and healthy!
Here are some tips that can help maintain a strong immune system:
- Reduce your consumption of refined and overprocessed foods -
eat vegetables raw or lightly steamed, and try to eat whole foods as much as possible - natural sugars, whole wheat flour. - Get your Z's -
a healthy immune system relies on adequate sleep. And skipping sleep during the week and trying to catch up on the weekend doesn't work. Aim for 8 solid hours each night. - Remember that cancer cells love sugar. If you need something sweet, use non-
refined sugars such as honey, maple syrup, stevia or raw sugars. - Make sure your cells are fully oxygenated! The best way to get lots of oxygen into your cells is through exercise. Exercise also helps the lymphatic system to flush toxins and waste from your cells more efficiently.
- Take Omega 3 for healthy cells -
eat your fish or take supplements! Its critical in the formation of cells.
What Causes Cancer
Types of Breast Cancer
There are several types of breast cancer. Your pathology report will tell your doctor
which type you have. Both ductal and lobular carcinomas can occur in-
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) is a less common form of breast cancer that does not always present with a lump.
Symptoms can be:
- Inflammation of the breast tissue (swelling,change in size,heat) that does not respond to antibiotics
- Redness of the skin or a pitted like appearance not unlike the peel of an orange.
Other symptoms may include:
Sudden appearance of a large lump
- Inverted nipple , flattened nipple or discharge from the nipple
- IBC can also cause swollen lymph nodes under the arm and above the collar bone
IBC inhibits the lymph vessels in the breast from filtering properly due to blockages by the cancer cells themselves. Lymph nodes filter waste, bacteria and fluids from the breast tissue to be excreted from the body.
IBC is not often detected by a mammogram or ultrasound so a biopsy is the best way to detect a malignancy.
Treatment is very often started quickly due to the nature of the disease, therefore chemo is sometimes done first before surgery radiation or hormonal therapy.
About breast cancer...
Studies have identified that the BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes are the genes that work to keep breast cells growing normally. If you have an abnormality in these genes, they MAY cause errors in the replication of cells, leading to the formation of tumors. If you have genetic testing done, and receive a positive test for the abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, this does NOT mean that you will definitely get breast cancer.
Of all cases of Breast Cancer in North America, only 10% are caused by this defective
gene. That means 90% of breast cancers are NOT genetic in origin. Remember, this
is a gene that we all have. If your test is positive, it means that you have an abnormal
BRCA1 or 2 gene, it does not mean that you will get breast cancer. If you have a
close family member that has had breast cancer, either from your mother's or father's
family, you may have a higher risk factor than someone who does not. But, since that
person's breast cancer may or may not have been genetic in nature, it does not necessarily
signify that breast cancer is also in your future. It does mean that you should be
more diligent with your breast self-
Breast Cancer & Genes
