What is Cancer?

What is Breast Cancer?

• Every day, cells in your body divide, grow
and die.
• Most of the time cells divide and grow in
an orderly manner.
• Sometimes, cells grow out of control and
this type of growth forms a mass or lump
called a tumor.
• Tumors are either benign or malignant.
October is Breast Cancer
Awareness Month
 How Does Breast Cancer Grow &
Spread?
• Benign (bee-NINE) tumors are not cancerous
and once removed typically do not come back.
• Malignant (ma-LIG-nant) tumors are made of
abnormal cells and are cancerous. Tumors of
this kind can spread & invade nearby tissue and
spread to other parts of the body.
• A malignant tumor that develops in the breast is
called breast cancer.
 Why Does Cancer Grow?
• We all have genes that control the way our
cells divide and grow.
• When these genes do not work like they
should, a genetic error or mutation occurs.
• Mutations can be inherited or
spontaneous.
• Spontaneous mutations are responsible
for 90-95% of all breast cancers in the
U.S.
Breast Anatomy
 Breast Cancer Growth
• To grow, malignant breast cancer tumors need
to be fed and accomplish this by developing new
blood vessels in a process called angiogenesis.
• As the malignant breast tumor grows, it can
expand into nearby tissue in a process called
invasion.
• Cells can also break away from the main tumor
and spread to other parts of the body in a
process called metastasis.
• Even though the tumor is growing in another part
of the body, it is still called breast cancer.
 Who Gets Breast Cancer?
• The causes of breast cancer are not fully
understood but it is clear that age, gender,
and lifetime exposure to estrogen along
with other factors are key.
• The older a woman is, the more her
chances of getting breast cancer increase.
• Young women can and do develop breast
cancer.
 Can Men Get Breast Cancer?
• One out of every one hundred cases of
breast cancer reported will occur in a man.
• Age, chronic liver disorders, alcoholism,
and obesity increase chances of
developing breast cancer in men.
• Genetic conditions associated with high
estrogen levels can lead to breast cancer
in men.
Breast Cancer Develops in Stages
 Spread the Word
• Remind the women in your life to practice
regular self exams at least by age 20.
• Encourage family members and friends to
schedule a mammogram by age 40 and
every 1 to 2 years after that.
• Remember those who have battled and
won and those who fought bravely but
didn’t make it and share their stories.
• These are cute but remember, they were
created to support research and a cure.
Early Detection is Key
What Can You Do?
 Breast Cancer Myths
• Don’t contribute to the spread of breast
cancer by spreading myths.
• Myths:
• Only women with a family history are at
risk.
• Small breasted women don’t get breast
cancer.
• Underwire bras cause breast cancer.
 More Myths
• Wearing antiperspirant causes breast
cancer.
• Caffeine causes breast cancer.
• Breast implants cause breast cancer.
• Having an abortion causes breast cancer.
• Mammograms increase risk of breast
cancer due to exposure to radiation.
• There are no credible studies or research
to support any of these ideas.
 Show Your Support
• Purchase a pink ribbon and wear it all
week 10/31 – 11/4
• Wear Pink!!! On Tuesday 11/1
 Be a Community Contributor
• Donate to Breast Cancer Research
• Participate in a run or a walk like one of
the following:
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
Susan G. Koman 3-Day & Race For The
Cure
Revlon Run/Walk For Breast Cancer