Although it's normal for cells in the body to divide at a steady pace, sometimes cells divide and multiply rapidly, forming a lump, or tumor. When the lump is comprised of normal looking cells, it is said to be benign, or noncancerous. Those cells do not spread or invade surrounding tissue. If the physician determines that the lump is made up of abnormal looking cells, it is malignant, or cancerous. That means some of the cells can invade surrounding tissue or break off and travel to other parts of the body.

When a woman discovers a lump in her breast, she likely fears the worst: cancer. However, a diagnosis of cancer is not the worst that could happen; the worst is delaying a visit to the doctor out of fear.

The only sure way to know if a lump is cancerous is to have some tissue removed and examined under the microscope. Although four out of five breast abnormalities are proven benign, every breast lump must be evaluated for the possibility of cancer.

Breast cancer is most frequently found in the ducts, but it can also begin in the lobes or lobules. When confined to the ducts or lobules, the tumor is noninvasive; if it has spread to surrounding tissue or other parts of the body, the cancer is called invasive. If detected early, breast cancer can often be treated effectively.

One in Eight

It is said that one in eight women will develop breast cancer during the course of a lifetime-a figure that sounds alarms within the hearts and souls of women and their families everywhere. But in fact, a woman's risk varies significantly depending on age, rising sharply for women over 40.

Breast Cancer Risk by Age

Source: NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program & American Cancer Society, 1993

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women in the United States today, other than skin cancer. Each year, almost 180,000 American women are told they have breast cancer. Even though breast cancer is more common in older women, it also occurs in younger women and even in a small number of men.

Risk Factors

Every woman is at risk for breast cancer. Although some women are identified as having an increased risk of contracting breast cancer, more than 70% of cases occur in women who have no identifiable risk factors.

A Woman's Risk of Breast Cancer Increases

with age

if a family history of breast cancer exists

if a woman has never had children or had her first child after age 30

if a woman is 45 or older and has 75% or more dense breast tissue

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has issued a breast cancer risk tool to help women assess their individual risk. Some experts caution that the program omits some essential questions which may underestimate a woman's risk, but researchers say the tool can provide a reasonable estimate of a woman's chances of contracting breast cancer. It can be obtained by calling (800)4-CANCER or by requesting it from the NCI website at cancertrials.nci.nih.gov. The institute recommends that women go over their results with a doctor.

Gene Testing

Medical technology has advanced by leaps and bounds in the past ten years, resulting in what some call a genetic revolution. Scientists can now examine genes within human cells, and have identified specific genes linked to breast cancer: BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which control cell growth in breast tissue. Scientists estimate that alterations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes may be responsible for about 5 to 10% of all the cases of breast cancer and for about 25% of the cases in women under the age of 30. However, gene testing is recommended only in select cases since there are associated risks, limitations, and far-reaching consequences. A doctor and genetics counselor can help women determine whether or not gene testing is appropriate.

Steps To Take
Whether your risk of breast cancer is average or higher, there are some steps you can take:

Get regular breast exams by a doctor or nurse and ask your doctor when you should begin getting regular mammograms

Exercise and eat a balanced diet that provides a good variety of nutrients and plenty of fiber. Limit dietary fat and alcohol.

Consult your doctor about your personal situation and carefully weigh any potential risks against the benefits in making decisions about hormone-containing drugs. The National Institutes of Health is currently studying the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in preventing cancer.