The breast is made up of different types of tissues. Abnormal cell growth may occur in any of these tissues. Cancer makes up about 20% of all abnormal growths in the breast. These cancerous tumors are said to be malignant. The other 80% of breast masses are non-cancerous, or benign, tumors. All tumors need to be checked out by a physician. You cannot tell by looking at or feeling tumors if they are benign or malignant. Mammography, ultrasound, and biopsies help doctors determine the nature of tumors.

There are several different kinds of breast cancer. They all originate in breast tissue. Some are slow growing; others are very aggressive. There is excellent treatment for many types of breast cancer. All types of breast cancer have a better prognosis (outlook) if they are treated sooner rather than later. Early detection and follow-up with a clinician is vital for survival. All women should have a mammogram by age 40 as a baseline, then every two years. Women over 50 should have a mammogram every year. Those at high risk of breast cancer may need mammograms and other screening tests earlier and more often.

For many women, this is a very terrifying diagnosis. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in women, and the second most likely to result in death (after lung cancer.) Since one of the common treatments for breast cancer involves the removal of the abnormal tissue plus surrounding healthy tissue, it can be disfiguring. Self esteem and self-image can suffer. There are many support groups on the web that help those with breast cancer cope with their diagnosis and treatment. There are also many sites on the internet with good information about breast cancer, its symptoms, its treatment, and the outlook for recovery.

For more information, visit the following sites:

• http://www.breastcancer.org
• http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm
• http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast
• http://www.emedicinehealth.com/breast_cancer/article_em.htm
• http://www.cancer.org