Although Janet Lane-Claypon performed the first scientific analysis of breast cancer epidemiology throught the mid-1920s, we still do not know exactly what causes breast cancer. We know that all cancers are considered to result from damage caused to the DNA. Thee mutation of DNA is known to have occurred from exposure to radiation, estrogen hormones, dietary influences, geographical location, and a variety of other inconclusively related factors. The majority of breast cancer causes remain unknown which unfortunately limits our ability to find a cure. Breast cancer risks increase with age, as women who live to be 90 have a one in seven chance of getting breast cancer. Women who have family history of breast cancer are also more likely to experience mutation.

Symptoms

Early symptoms of breast cancer are painless, making it difficult to diagnose in early stages. This is why regular mammograms are so important. A lump under the arm or above the collarbone that does not go away is one sign. Other symptoms include breast discharge, changes in skin, and nipple inversion.

Treatment

The most popular form of treatment is surgery, usually combined with some kind of hormonal therapy. Patients are divided into high risk and low risk cases. The severity of a patient's condition determines the specific cycle of surgery and hormonal treatment.

During radiation therapy, patients are subjected to high powered X-rays or gamma rays that target the cancerous tumor(s). With the use of a machine called a linear accelerator, radioactive rays bombard the cancer. This type of therapy is usually used in tandem with surgery as a precaution to ensure that the cancer will not recur. Unfortunately, radiation must be used sparingly to prevent damage to normal tissue. Each treatment takes about fifteen minutes per day throughout a period of five to seven weeks. Normal cells are able to repair themselves more readily than cancerous cells, which makes radiation therapy a practical treatment.

Chemotherapy is used before or after surgery. The following are different types of chemotherapy:

Tamoxifen blocks the estrogen receptor in cells to prevent the transport of estrogen.

Aromatase inhibitors can lower the amount of estrogen in post-menopausal women.

GnRH-analogues are used during the early stages of cancer.

Ovarian ablation or suppression is used in pre-menopausal women to stop the ovaries from producing hormones.