With the attention that mammography has recently seen in the news, and high-profile events like the Susan G. Komen ‘Race For The Cure’, breast cancer is in our national consciousness. And with good reason – it is a disease that touches almost all of us in some way. What do we know about breast cancer, and what should we learn?

What is breast cancer? Breast cancer, like other kinds of cancer, is a type of cell growth that has gone out of control. As new, unnecessary cells are created, they form a mass which is called a tumor. This usually occurs in the ducts (the tubes which carry breast milk to the nipples) or the lobules (the glands which produce milk).

A cancerous tumor is the dangerous kind – it is malignant. Left untreated, cancer will spread to other parts of the body (a process called metastasis) and will almost always prove fatal. Not all tumors are dangerous, though. A non-cancerous tumor is benign – it won’t spread, and it won’t cause you harm. Eighty percent of breast tumors are benign.

Who gets breast cancer? Almost anyone can get breast cancer, but there are ‘risk factors’ which make it more likely. You are at a higher risk of breast cancer if you:

- Are female. Men do get breast cancer, but only rarely.

- Had your first period before age 12 and reached menopause before age 55.

- Have had breast cancer before, or have a family history of breast cancer.

- Have a high-fat, low-vegetable diet.

- Are overweight.

- Average more than two alcoholic drinks per day.

- Have used combined hormone-replacement therapy (estrogen and progestin) over a long period of time.

- Carry a certain form of the so-called ‘breast cancer genes’ BRCA1 or BRCA2.

How should I screen myself for breast cancer? The best way to monitor and screen yourself for breast cancer is a plan that should be worked out between you and your doctor. While there isn’t total agreement on screening practices (mammogram frequency especially has been controversial), some general guidelines are as follows:

- Conduct a breast self-exam every month. If you detect any changes in your breasts, such as swelling, dimpling or puckering, tell your doctor right away.

- Get a clinical breast exam every three years after age 20, and every year after age forty.

- Around 40 or 50, begin getting periodic mammograms. How often you have a mammogram is something you and your doctor should determine, but if you fall in a high-risk category, you should probably have more frequent mammograms.

How is breast cancer diagnosed? If you or your doctor finds a suspect area in your breast, such as a lump, the next step is one of many possible diagnostic tests. Your doctor might run a ductal lavage test, in which fluid from the breast is examined for cancerous cells, or a biopsy, in which tissue is removed and similarly examined. The best type of test for you will depend on the specific concern you’re investigating.

How is breast cancer treated? Just as there are many different methods of breast cancer diagnosis, there are many types of treatment:

- Surgical treatment is an operation to physically remove the cancer.

- Radiation therapy involves directing beams of energy at the cancerous cells to destroy them.

- Chemotherapy means infusing the body with chemical agents that fight the tumor. This technique is often used to shrink a cancer to the point where it is surgically removable.

- Hormone therapy is the use of drugs like tamoxifen to counteract hormones that can up the risk of cancer (like estrogen), especially in post-menopausal women.

- Biological therapy is the use of drugs like Herceptin, that encourage the body’s own immune system to destroy cancer cells.

Just like breast cancer diagnosis, breast cancer treatment is a totally specialized course of action that can only be determined by you and your doctor.

Can I lower my risk of breast cancer? Yes! There are a number of things you can do. As little as four hours of weekly exercise has been shown to lower your risk – probably because it ramps up your immune system. Eating a healthy diet low in fat and high in fruit and vegetables has also been show to cut breast cancer risk. Alcohol use has also been linked with breast cancer – the higher the intake, the higher the risk. And of course, keep up with the good screening practices we discussed above – conduct breast self-exams, have regular clinical exams, and periodic mammograms when appropriate. As with other diseases, catching breast cancer early gives you the best chances for a safe and swift recovery.