Question 1

What Causes Breast Cancer?

Accepted Answer

Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast tissue grow out of control. There are different kinds of breast cancer. The kind of cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn into cancer.Breast cancer can begin in different parts of the breast. Your breast is made up of 3 main parts, lobules, ducts and connective tissue. The lobules are the glands that produce milk. Ducts are tubes that carry milk to the nipples. Connecitive tissue (fibrous and fatty tissue) forms the breast, surounding and holding everything together. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts or lobules.Breast cancer cells can spread outside the breast through blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. When breast cancer moves to other parts of the body, it is called metastatized.Normal cells vs. Cancer cellsIn general, regardless of where cancerous cells attack the body, they present a disruption to the lifecycle of cells. Normal human cells grow and divide as the body needs them. When they become old, or damaged the body will either repair them or they die and the body discards them.When cancer arises this orderly process fails. As cells become more and more abnormal, these old or damaged cells stop following the pattern of healthy instructions. Cells fail to die when they should and new cells form when they are not needed causing overgrowth. The extra cells may form growths called tumors.Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors are usually not life threatening depending on where they are located in body. They tend not to spread into nearby tissue. Unlike malignant tumors which can spread, invading close by tissue and break off traveling to other areas of the body forming new tumors.Cancer cells are different from normal cell in several ways. In addition to ignoring signals to die, cancer cells can influence normal cells, molecules and blood vessels to feed tumors. Cancer cells are also able to avoid or hide from the immune system, your body's protective network of organs and specialized cells whose sole purpose is fighting infection and foreign conditions in the body. Tumors can also use the immune system to stay alive grow enlisting the help of immune cells that usually prevent an abnormal immune response.

Question 2

Understanding Your Breast Cancer Risk?

Accepted Answer

Studies show a combination of factors influence breast cancer risk. The main risk factors are being a woman and getting older. When you think about it, two things you'd never change:-) Most breast cancers are found in women 50 years old and older.Some women will get breast cancer without any other known risk factors. Having a risk factor does not mean you will get the disease, and risk factors effects vary. Although, most women have some risk factors, it's also true most women will not get breast cancer. If you have breast cancer risk factors talk with your doctor about ways you can lower your risk and get screened.Risks You Can't Control, But You Can MonitorGetting Older - your risk of breast cancer increases with age. Most breast cancer is diagnosed after the age of 50.Genetic Mutations - inheirited changes (mutations) to certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA 2. Women who have these inheirited changes have a higher risk for breast and ovarian cancer. If you've already been diagnosed with breast cancer, it's important to talk with your doctor about genetic testing as a part of your treatment plan.Reproductive History - starting menstral periods before the age of 12 and beginning menopause after the age of 55 raise your risk of breast cancer because of longer exposure to hormones.Dense Breasts - women with dense breast are more likely to get breast cancer because they have more connective tissue than fatty tissue, making it harder to see tumors on mammogram.Personal History of Cancer or Non-Cancerous Breast Diseases - women who have had breast cancer before are more likely to get it again. Non-cancerous breast disease such as atypical hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ are at higher risk of getting breast cancer.Family History of Breast Cancer - there is a higher risk of breast cancer if a woman's first degree family member (mother, sister or daughter) or multiple relatives on either her mother's or father's side of the family have previously had breast cancer.Young Black Women - tend to be diagnosed with breat cancer ___% more than other ethnic groups of women. Having breast cancer early in life also raises the risk of recurrence. Also, triple negative breast cancer is more likely to be diagnosed in women under 50 years of age.Triple Negative Breast Cancer - Only about 10-20% of all women will be diagnosed with this type of breast cancer. But researchers have found Black and Latino women are more likely to be diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (estrogen receptor negative, progesterone negative and HER2 protein negative). About 70% of breast cancer with the BRCA 1 gene mutation are triple negative.Previous Radiation Therapy Treatment - women that have had radiation treatment to the chest or breasts (like for Hodgkins Lymphoma) before the age of 30 have an increased risk of breast cancer later in life.Risks You Can ControlBeing Physically Active - A physically active lifestyle, inclusive of regular exercise lowers your risk of breast cancer.Managing Your Weight After Menopause - taking steps to maintain a healthy weight reduces your risk of breast cancer.Taking Hormones - Some forms of hormone replacement therapy (those that include estrogen and progesterone) taken during menopause can increase your risk of breast cancer when taken for more than 5 years. Additionally, birth control pills have been known to raise your risk of breast cancer.Reproductive History - Having your first pregnancy after the age of 30, not breast feeding and never having a full-term pregnancy can raise your risk of breast cancer.Drinking Alcohol - Studies show an increased risk of breast cancer the more a woman drinks.Research also shows an increased risk of breast cancer with smoking, exposure to cancer causing agents and certain changes in hormones due to night shift working.Many Shades of Pink can help you understand your risk and connect you with free screening resources if needed, contact us!

Question 3

When should I start getting mammograms?

Accepted Answer

At 40, if you are at average risk — every one to two years, through at least age 74.If breast cancer runs in your family, or you have other risk factors, you may need to start earlier. Talk to a doctor, or call us and we will help you figure out who to ask.

Question 4

I was told I don't need mammograms anymore. Is that right?

Accepted Answer

Ask again.One of our own advocates stopped getting screened because she was told she no longer needed to. She started again after finding MSOP — and she says it is the most important thing that happened to her.If you are in good health, screening usually continues. Get a second opinion before you stop.

Question 5

I found a lump. What should I do right now?

Accepted Answer

Make an appointment. Today, if you can.Most breast changes are not cancer. But the only way to know is to have someone look, and waiting is the thing that turns a treatable problem into a hard one.If you don't have a doctor, call (619) 937-2041 and we will help you find one.

Question 6

What happens at the Monthly Community Health & Resource Fair?

Accepted Answer

Free clinical breast exams, mobile mammography, and breast health education — plus diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol screening. Healthcare professionals and community organizations, in one place, at no cost.Where: 151 YMCA Way, San Diego, CA 92102When: Every 1st Wednesday of the month.For more information, click here.

Many Shades of Pink

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