Breast Cancer Overview

Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Common signs and symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast that feels distinctly different from other breast tissue or that does not go away, swelling of the breast that does not go away, thickening of breast tissue, dimpling or pulling of the skin on the breast which may then resemble the skin of an orange, any change in the breast shape or contour, nipple discharge, retraction of th

Causes for Breast Cancer

The precise cause of breast cancer is unknown. Most cases of breast cancer occur in women who are not classified as high risk. More research must be done in order to uncover other possible causes.Genetics: In most cases, it isn't clear what triggers abnormal cell growth in breast tissue, but it is estimated that between 5 and 10% of breast cancers are inherited.

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

Age: The chances of developing breast cancer increases with age. The disease rarely affects women younger than 25 years of age, whereas close to 80% of breast cancers occur in women older than age 50. At age 40, there is a one in 252 chance of developing breast cancer. By age 85, the chances are one in eight.