Personal history of breast abnormalities.
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer in American women. An estimated 213,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. The risk of breast cancer increases as women get older. Over the years, ... [... more]
National Cancer Institute |
Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk: Questions and Answers
Oral contraceptives (OCs) first became available to American women in the early 1960s. The convenience, effectiveness, and reversibility of action of birth control pills (popularly known as "the pill") have made them the most popular form of ... [... more]
National Cancer Institute |
Can antiperspirants or deodorants cause breast cancer?
Articles in the press and on the Internet have warned that underarm antiperspirants (a preparation that reduces underarm sweat) or deodorants (a preparation that destroys or masks unpleasant odors) cause breast cancer (1). The reports have ... [... more]
National Cancer Institute |
Menopausal Hormone Use and Cancer: Questions and Answers
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when menstruation (having a period) ends. It is part of a biological process that begins, for most women, in their mid-thirties. During this time, the ovaries gradually produce lower levels of natural sex ... [... more]
National Cancer Institute |
Adjuvant chemotherapy
Researchers have been studying breast cancer for many years to learn how best to treat this disease. They have given special attention to ways to prevent breast cancer from recurring (returning) after primary treatment. Scientists once thought ... [... more]
National Cancer Institute |
Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Questions and Answers
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare but very aggressive type of breast cancer (see Question 1). IBC usually grows rapidly and often spreads to other parts of the body; symptoms include redness, swelling, and warmth in the breast (see ... [... more]
National Cancer Institute |
Paget Disease of the Nipple: Questions and Answers
Paget disease of the nipple is an uncommon type of cancer that forms in or around the nipple (see Question 1). Paget disease of the nipple is almost always associated with an underlying breast cancer (see Questions 1 and 2). Scientists do not ... [... more]
National Cancer Institute |
Why would a woman consider undergoing preventive mastectomy?
Preventive mastectomy (also called prophylactic or risk-reducing mastectomy) is the surgical removal of one or both breasts. It is done to prevent or reduce the risk of breast cancer in women who are at high risk of developing the disease (see ... [... more]
National Cancer Institute |
Surgery Choices for Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer
As a woman with early-stage breast cancer (DCIS or Stage I, IIA, IIB, or IIIA breast cancer) you may be able to choose which type of breast surgery to have. Often, your choice is between Treatment for breast cancer usually begins a few weeks ... [... more]
National Cancer Institute |
About Your Breasts
The breast is a gland that produces milk in late pregnancy and after childbirth. The breasts also contain lymph vessels, which carry a clear fluid called lymph. If you notice a lump in one breast, check the other breast. If both breasts feel the ... [... more]
National Cancer Institute |
Aromatase Inhibitors
Many breast tumors are "estrogen sensitive," meaning the hormone estrogen helps them to grow. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) can help block the growth of these tumors by lowering the amount of estrogen in the body. Estrogen is produced by the [... more]
National Cancer Institute |
Herceptin® (Trastuzumab): Q & A - National Cancer Institute
Herceptin (trastuzumab) is a monoclonal antibody. Antibodies are substances the body produces to help fight infection or other foreign particles. Monoclonal antibodies are made in the laboratory, and some are designed to attack specific cancer cells. [... more]
National Cancer Institute |
