Breast Cancer Essay -- Diseases/Disorders

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world (Breast). Every three minutes a woman is diagnosed: one in eight women will have breast cancer (Walgreens, 2011; Chen, 2010). â€Å"I have to admit, like so many women, I always knew there was a chance. But like so many women, I never thought it would be me. I never thought I'd hear those devastating words: 'You have breast cancer.' â€Å"- Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a democratic representative of Florida (2011). Mutations turn genes on and off, activating diseases; all women have a chance of developing breast cancer (Understanding; Breast). Unhealthy cells divide and form a tumor. The tumor can be benign and not dangerous. Malignant tumors can become potentially dangerous (Understanding). The cancer becomes invasive when it spreads to other breast areas. Cancer that has not invaded other breast tissues remains noninvasive; noninvasive cancer can become invasive if not treated (Chen, 2010). If cancer cells get into the lymph nodes, the cells can get into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body (Understanding; Rosen, 2011). Ductal carcinoma cancer starts in the breast milk ducts (Chen, 2010). The milk ducts drain milk from the lobules to the nipple: 50-75% of breast cancer starts in the ducts (Understanding; Facts). Lobular carcinoma cancer develops in the lobules which produce milk: 10-15% of breast cancer starts in the lobules (Chen, 2010; Facts). Breast cancer starting in another area is rare (Chen, 2010). Rarely, a phyllodes tumor develops in the stroma or connective tissue of the breast (Rosen, 2011). Inflammatory breast cancer accounts for 1% to 3% of breast cancers. The skin of the breast looks red and feels warm with no lump: due to cancer cells blocking... ...greens. (2011, September 28). Behind The Scenes of Lifetime's FIVE [Video file]. Retrieved November 16, 2015 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeVZg2lWIlw Understanding Breast Cancer. Breastcancer.org. Retrieved November 25, 2015 from http://www.breastcancer.org/ About Breast Cancer. National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.. Retrieved November 25, 2015 from http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/ Facts for Life. Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Retrieved November 25, 2015 from http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/FactsForLife.html Breast Cancer Facts. The Breast Cancer Society Inc.. Retrieved November 25, 2015 from http://www.breastcancersociety.org/aboutbreastcancer/factsandstatistics/breastcancerfact.shtml Rosen, Leo and Rosen, Gloria. (2011).Learn About Cancer. American Cancer Society. Retrieved November 26, 2015 from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/index