Breast Cancer

Question: What is the difference between breast cancer and breast tissue cancer? What is the difference apart from the location (do not include the symptoms) What are the possible rates for a 15 year old to get breast cancer and a 15 year old to get breast tissue cancer? I really need to know if my friend is lying to me, I only found out yesterday the she had it.

Answer: Breast cancer and breast tissue cancer is the same thing there is no difference. From 1975 to 2000 1.3 in every one million 15-19 year olds were diagnosed with breast cancer. It is very unlikely your friend has breast cancer if she is only 15 years old.

Question: What does it mean when you have breast cancer in three different areas? My friend just found out that she has breast cancer in her right breast but three different lump types of cancer in one breast, and it has effected her lymph nodes at least two of them. What are her chances and what stage cancer would that be? She is going to be having a mascetomy and chemo.

Answer: I am not sure what you mean in lump types. It is very common for cancer to spread to lymph nodes. Especially in the breast tissue. Lymph nodes are usually extracted during the mascetomy and if cancer is present, radiation and/or chemo is also a common practice. Basically, Chemo kills off all cells. Good and bad. The person usually feels really tired and horribly sick. Their immune system ( the system that protects from disease and virus) is severly depressed. People with colds or infections should say away from her. She will not have a defense system to fight off the simplest cold. Just be there for your friend, let her know that you are there for her, But at the same time keep your distance if she needs time to morn her loss. Please dont ever say you know how she feels, because unless you have been through it, you dont. Also, sometimes the best communications is to be silent. Allow your friend to talk, just comfort her. I hope all works out for her and I will keep her in my prayers

Question: What types of breast cancer create thickening of the skin? My mom just found out she has a rarer form of breast cancer. Its not the type that is a lump, instead its a thickening of the skin. Its not inflammed or red looking it just feels thick I guess more like a callous and is about 3 inches long. Anyone hear of this type of breast cancer? I have done a search online but only come up with the Inflammatory cancer which I dont think this is. The doctor said its not really an aggressive form if that helps.

Answer: Inflamatory breast cancer is most likely: "Although most breast cancers begin as lumps or tumors, inflammatory breast cancer usually starts with a feeling of thickness or heaviness in the breast." "Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, about 1-5% of all breast cancer cases in the United States are inflammatory breast cancers." Otherwise, try Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, "In other cases, the first sign of ILC is a thickening or hardening in the breast that can be felt, rather than a distinct lump." "About 10% of all invasive breast cancers are invasive lobular carcinomas. "

Question: How come breast cancer gets it's own month and special pink ribbons and fundraisers? Is it because it is sexier to have breast cancer than say, colon cancer or lung cancer?

Answer: Breast cancer is sometimes harder to detect because of breast mass, or self breast exams that are incorrectly done or not done at all. Even though there are symptoms such as puckering of nipple, change in breast skin texture, these dont always present themselves. Therefore many women dont know they have it because the signs are not obvious. With lung and colon cancer there are usually more pronounced chances that will alert someone to seek help such as change in bowel habit, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, persistent cough, breathing problem, etc. Women need to be educated about the cause, elearly detection of breast cancer because its so hard to detect sometimes and thats why extra effort is put into educating the public about it.

Question: National Breast Cancer Month,How are you contributing or donating to the cause? Some people donate and contribute in diffrent ways. Whether its a monatary donation or a walk for the cure, everybody can do a small part to help such a devastating illness. If you know someone that have breast cancer, kind words or calling frequently to check up on them to see how they are doing is doing a big part, of helping women or even men because they get breast cancer to, but mostly women to fight breast cancer. They need encouragment to know that somebodys in their corner helping and cheering them on, as they agree to fight this instead of giving up. Dealing with any illness is tiring. But with encouragment and caring, we can help these women beat this illness and get on with their lives.

Answer: I think that breast cancer is one of the most supported diseases in North America, in publicity, support and fundraising. You can apply the comments in the question to a number of diseases and I thank you for writing them. But I am currently supporting other cancer research and I am discouraged by the extended commercial aspects of breast cancer awareness from changing my priorities.

Question: How exactly does breast feeding lower the risk of breast cancer? They say it lowers the risk, but how does breast feeding your baby lower the risk of developing breast cancer?

Answer: It is certainly considered a breast cancer risk factor not to have breastfed a baby, but so is not having any children at all, or having them late. Most people who tick those boxes won't get breast cancer though, and plenty of women who had children young and breastfed them get breast cancer. Results of studies vary: two reports, published in 1999 and 1997, showed that pre-menopausal women had a 50% lower risk of breast cancer if they had breastfed. Other studies show no conclusive link between breastfeeding and reduced risk of breast cancer. .The women who get bc who have not had children are included in the never breastfed statistic. One theory is that breastfeeding reduces exposure to the female hormone oestrogen, which in turn reduces the risk of oestrogen driven breast cancer. A majority of, but not all, breast cancer cases are oestrogen driven. Breastfeeding causes hormonal changes and delays the onset of ovulation after pregnancy, reducing the total of a woman's oestrogen exposure over her lifetime.. There is also some evidence that breastfeeding causes physical changes in breast cells that may make them more resistant to the mutations that can lead to cancer Apparently in the studies that showed a link, the length of time a woman breastfed for was significant - the longer the better.

Question: What are three factors that affect breast cancer penetrance? What are three factors that affect breast cancer penetrance? (Penetrance is defined as the likelihood of cancer when a cancer predisposing mutation is present). Will award points to the person who answers the question most accurately. Thanks!

Answer: - Many family members with Hx. of Br. Ca. - Few family members with Hx. of Br. Ca. - Polymorphisms in certain otherwise 'protective' genes

Question: Is it possible to have breast cancer at age 14? I have severe pains in one of my breasts, and there is also a some-what large and hard lump in the same one. However my other breast seems perfectly normal. I don't know if this has anything to even do with it, but i've also been receiving migraines and have been feeling somewhat nauseous. I would like to know what this means, and if it means that i might have breast cancer. But, is it even possible to have breast cancer at age 14?

Answer: Well, it is possible, but it would be rather rare. More than likely, the pain is due to hormones and puberty. I had the same thing at that age. Is the lump around your nipple? If so, that is very common.

Question: How long can you live with untreated breast cancer and have no symptoms? Ok, I'm 21 years old and a little over a year ago I found one little hard thing in my left breast and a long hard mass in my right breast. These hard parts could only be felt when sitting up right and pressing down on the area. If I was laying flat on my back I couldn't feel them. I went to Planned Parenthood and got a breast exam and they said it felt like fibrocystis and not worry. Well here it is almost a year latter and the hard little thing in my breast can now be felt laying on my back as well as sitting up. I went to a surgeon and he's sending me for a ultrasound. So what I am wondering is if it was breast cancer all along, am I screwed? I Feel fine, no problems, but how long before it's too late to do anything about breast cancer?

Answer: Oh, you'd have definitely been sick by now if it were cancer. Now, it may have been pre-cancerous and may have become stage 1 cancer, but I seriously doubt it. I also have cystic mastitis.....but I've also had breast cancer. I felt a big difference in the cysts and the mass that was cancerous. You have to become very familiar with your breasts so you can tell the difference. Also, it could be an infected milk duct--no you don't need to be nursing or pregnant to have that. It's very common. Try not to get upset unless you have something to get upset about.

Question: How does breast cancer affect the body? I'm doing a bio paper on breast cancer and i know the symptoms that they check for to diagnos u with breast cancer but i don't know how cancer really affects the body. Like what would it do if left untreated.

Answer: The American Cancer Society probablly has online materials on this, however cancer when it is 'localized' (meaning it has not spread) is not the big issue (when it is found like this, 'cure' or success rates are high). It is only when it spreads (called metastasis) is the issue. Because when this happens the cancer cells are basically free and start impacting other body organs. Typically cancer likes to do this via the lymph node system (where it can travel it like a highway to other body organs) For example say the breast cancer decides to metastasis and it goes to the brain or liver, etc. When it starts to form tumors on these organs it causes problems. For example my mom's ovarian cancer created some new tumors on ther intestines and it created a bowel blockage where she can't digest food.

Question: Breast Cancer? I'm 17 and a senior at highschool and a student at the School of Nursing and I'm a huge advocate for Breast Cancer research and support. I'm always wearing my pink ribbon and my pink ribbon necklace and I have many breast cancer/pink ribbon clothing articles. Since it's breast cancer awareness month I tried to see what my community//county and surronding cities are doing to support...........and I found out...completely nothing. At the highschool football games I take donations and sell pink ribbons. I'm getting some pretty positive responses from this but I need more. Does anyone know where I can get free materials for breast cancer awareness other than just printing stuff off the internet?

Answer: It makes me so happy to know that there are other people out there who care about finding a cure! Visit www.curebreastcancer.org when you get a chance. This organization was founded by Dr. Bodai, who created the breast cancer stamp, and has since gone back to Congress in an effort to allow the continuation of the stamp. He is awesome, and that web site should offer a plethora of information and resources. Thank you fo being a part of the fight against Breast Cancer.

Question: What kind of tests or examinations should be done for breast cancer? So I am 20 years old and I began to become more worried about breast cancer. There is no history of breast cancer in my family but I just thought it would be good to do some early testing just in case. So I was wondering, what kind of tests should be done to detect breast cancer at age 20? I heard that mannograms should be done around 35. Is there any other examinations that you can do at an early age? And if there is where can I get them done? Regular family physician, gynocologist? Thanks everyone!

Answer: There is no reason to do screening tests at your age. You should get a breast exam when you have your annual pap. Mammograms are recommended annually starting at age 40. If you find a lump in your breast before then have your doctor check it. Exposing yourself to unnecessary radiation is never a good idea.

Question: What would you do to help breast cancer patient with the fiber consumtion? She is a breast cancer patient stage1,and 32 years. She has received total mastectomy ( of the right breast) and chemotherapy. This patient is worried about her illness and she would like to prevent or control her illness. I want to know how can I advice her for how much of Fiber consumtion that she need and which kind of food is best for her health?

Answer: i tell people about graviola. it costs about $10 a bottle sent to your address. you take 2 tablets a day for two months and decide if it helps you. it has worked for three people i know of personally. you get it 818-882-2400 or go to physiciansformula.com.. this is word of mouth only but my niece had a mastectomy(both breasts). they finally told her they could do no more for her because her body could no longer tolerate chemo. i sent her two bottles of graviola to try. she took them for two months and so far ALL of her tests have com back clear of cancer..they had told her she had less than a year to live. i have no affiliation with phys. formula- i just buy thier product to keep cancer away and help my relatives get rid of thier cancer...so far 3. 2sisters and a niece..i don't know if it will work for everyone. it worked for them.

Question: What insurance is available to a breast cancer survivor who is not old enough for medicare? For a person living in IL that is 62, history of breast cancer, wants to retire but can't qualify or afford to pay out of pocket for coverage with the history of cancer. What do people do in these types of situations? Thank you in advance!!

Answer: healthplans.bebto.com - here is my health insurance plan. As I remember they can provide such a service.

Question: Could breast cancer start at an early age? Could breast cancer start at an early age?How old?I have this kind of rock in my breast and I'm worried if it is one of the signs.But I've had the rock thing in my breast for 2 years.

Answer: Young people are much less likely to get cancer, and there are all sorts of other things the lump could be. But the only sensible thing to do is show it to your doctor and get a professional opinion. If it IS something serious, your chances are much better the earlier it's diagnosed.

Question: How long can a woman with breast cancer live after the cancer has metastasized? My friend has had breast cancer for many years. It is spreading everywhere. It is now in her liver. How long can she live for?

Answer: I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I'm a guy and I have breast cancer to (metastised into the bones so far). When it starts hitting the major organs like it's doing to her now (liver, kidneys etc) then it's only a matter of a short time before she'll probably pass on. By saying short I mean probably within a year. I'm no dr and mine is spreading as well but so far it's not hit any organs yet (I've had it for nearly 8.5 years diagnosed just 2 years ago though...long story). Just be there for her and comfort her in any way you can, sometimes by just listening to what she has to say and not saying anything. Take care