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The basics of breast cancer
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WHO reports that 99 percent of breast cancers occur in women. Additional risk factors for breast cancer include age, with two out of three women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer being older than 55, and race, as the disease affects more Caucasian women than women of other races. The NBCF also notes that women who have dense breast tissue may be at greater risk for breast cancer because such tissue can make it harder to detect lumps.
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Breast cancer is a formidable disease that affects millions of individuals each year. Data fromm the World Health Organization indicates 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, when it was the most common form of the disease in 157 of 185 countries across the globe. The impact of breast cancer goes beyond those diagnosed with the disease, affecting friends, family members, professional colleagues, and others as well. That far-reaching impact means everyone has a vested interest in learning about breast cancer.
WHAT CAUSES BREAST CANCER? The NBCF notes that most women who have breast cancer will never be able to identify an exact cause behind their disease. Common risk factors like gender and age are beyond women’s control, but there are some controllable risk factors that can be avoided. The WHO notes that overconsumption of alcohol and tobacco use are two such factors.
WHAT IS BREAST CANCER? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast grow out of control. The breast is made up of three main parts known as the lobules, ducts and connective tissue, and which type of breast cancer a person has depends on which cells in the HOW IMPORTANT IS EARLY DETECTION? The American Cancer Society reports breast turn into cancer. that the five-year survival rate for breast cancers discovered in the localized IS THERE A TYPICAL BREAST CANCER? No two individuals diagnosed with stage is 99 percent. That underscores breast cancer will have the same expe- the significance of early detection. The rience after being diagnosed. However, NBCF notes monthly breast self-exams the CDC notes that most breast cancers and routine clinical exams increase the begin in the ducts or lobules. The ducts likelihood of early detection. Women are tubes that carry milk to the nipple are urged to speak with their physicians and the lobules are the glands that pro- regarding how frequently they should be tested, as recommendations vary duce milk. depending on each individual and their respective family histories. WHAT ARE SOME COMMON RISK The basics of breast cancer proFACTORS FOR BREAST CANCER? The National Breast Cancer Founda- vide insight into the disease and what tion, Inc. notes gender is the foremost women can do to reduce their risk of risk factor for breast cancer, as the developing it. TF25A206
13 NEWSTRIBUNE NewsTribune / shawlocal.com/news-tribune • Wednesday, October 1, 2025
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