About Breast Cancer in Men About Breast Cancer in Men Statistics regarding men and breast cancer Breast cancer in men is rare—less than one percent of all breast carcinomas occur in men. Consider the latest statistics availabl...
About Clinical Trials: Information from the National Cancer Institute About Clinical Trials: Information from the National Cancer Institute What are clinical trials? Clinical trials are studies, managed by government agencies, educational institutions, private not-for-...
About Tamoxifen About Tamoxifen What is tamoxifen? Tamoxifen is a drug that reduces and/or stops the effects of estrogen (a female hormone) in the body. It was developed over 30 years ago and has been used to treat ...
About Taxol About Taxol What is Taxol? Taxol, or paclitaxel, is a drug used for treating certain women who have advanced breast or ovarian cancer. It is also used to treat other kinds of cancers. Paclitaxel is a...
Anatomy of the Breasts Anatomy of the Breasts Click Image to Enlarge Each breast has 15 to 20 sections, called lobes , that are arranged like the petals of a daisy. Each lobe has many smaller lobules , which end in dozens o...
Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T) Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T) Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare inherited childhood disease that affects the nervous system and other body systems. The effects of A-T usually begin to appear by the...
Breast Cancer Overview What Is Cancer? The body is made up of various kinds of cells, which normally divide in an orderly way to produce more cells only when they are needed. Cancer is a group of diseases--more than 100 ty...
Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT) Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT) The BCPT, part of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), began in April 1992 to determine whether the nonsteroidal, anti-estrogen drug ...
Breast Cancer Statistics Breast Cancer Statistics Consider the following statistics related to breast cancer: Excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. American Cancer Soc...
Breast Health: Three-Step Plan for Preventive Care Breast Health: Three-Step Plan for Preventive Care The thought of having breast cancer is frightening to everyone, and especially devastating to women. However, ignoring the possibility that you may ...
Breast Infections and Inflammations Breast Infections and Inflammations What is lactational mastitis? Click Image to Enlarge The most common type of breast infection is lactational mastitis. With this condition, which occurs when a wom...
Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Treatment What is chemotherapy? Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to treat cancer. Chemotherapy reaches all parts of the body, not just the cancer cells. The oncologist (a doctor with special trainin...
Common Benign Lumps Common Benign Lumps What are some common types of benign breast lumps? Click Image to Enlarge Two of the most common causes of benign single breast lumps are cysts and fibroadenomas. In addition, the...
Common Breast Conditions Common Breast Conditions A woman can and probably will experience a number of benign (noncancerous) breast conditions during her lifetime. In the directory below, you will find additional information...
Cowden Syndrome Cowden Syndrome The risk for breast cancer, endometrial (uterine) cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, and thyroid cancer is increased with Cowden syndrome, a rare inherited disorder that is also associ...
Diagnosing Benign (Noncancerous) Breast Conditions Diagnosing Benign (Noncancerous) Breast Conditions How are benign breast conditions and infections diagnosed? In addition to obtaining a complete medical history, your health care provider, in diagno...
Diagnostic Procedures for Breast Cancer How Is Breast Cancer Diagnosed? It is important to remember that a lump or other changes in the breast, or an abnormal area seen on a mammogram, may be caused by cancer or, more often, by other, less...
Fibrocystic Breast Changes Fibrocystic Breast Changes What are some common fibrocystic breast changes? Generalized breast lumpiness is known under many different names, such as "fibrocystic disease" and "fibroid breasts." Many...
Frequently Asked Questions: Mammograms Frequently Asked Questions: Mammograms What are the benefits of screening mammography? Today's high-quality screening mammogram is the most effective tool available to detect breast cancer before lum...
General Information About Breast Cancer General Information About Breast Cancer What is cancer? The body is made up of various kinds of cells, which normally divide in an orderly way to produce more cells only when they are needed. Cancer ...
Genetics of Breast Cancer Genetics of Breast Cancer Only a small percentage of cancers involve inherited mutations that are passed from generation to generation. The majority of cancers can be attributed to acquired mutations...
Glossary - Breast Health Glossary - Breast Health | A | | B | | C | | D | | E | | F | | G | | H | | I | | J | | K | | L | | M | | N | | O | | P | | Q | | R | | S | | T | | U | | V | | W | | X | | Y | | Z | A [return to top] ...
Hereditary Breast Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (BRCA1/BRCA2) What is hereditary breast ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome? HBOC syndrome is characterized by the following features in a family: An early age of onset of breast cancer (often before age 50) Family his...
Home Page - Breast Health Topic Index Anatomy of the Breasts Normal Breast Development Breast Health: Three-Step Plan for Preventive Care Common Breast Conditions Breast Cancer About Breast Cancer in Men Glossary Routine care...
How to Perform a Breast Self-Examination (BSE) How to Perform a Breast Self-Examination What is a breast self-examination (BSE)? Breast self-examination (BSE) is a procedure a woman can do to physically and visually examine her breasts and undera...
Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Li-Fraumeni Syndrome The risk for breast cancer and many other forms of cancer is increased with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), a genetic autosomal dominant cancer syndrome. A diagnosis of LFS is made w...
Lymphedema Following a Mastectomy Lymphedema Following a Mastectomy What is the lymphatic system? The lymphatic system consists of many vessels that carry lymph fluid throughout the body. Lymph is a clear, colorless fluid containing ...
Mammogram Mammogram What is a mammogram? A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. It is used to detect and diagnose breast disease in women who either have breast problems, such as a lump, pain, or nipple discha...
Mastalgia (Breast Pain) Mastalgia (Breast Pain) What is mastalgia (breast pain)? Mastalgia is breast pain and is generally classified as either cyclical (associated with menstrual periods) or noncyclic. Noncyclic pain may c...
National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) The NSABP is a cooperative group that had its start in 1958, but was officially formed in 1971, to conduct clinical trials in breast and co...
Nipple Problems and Discharge Nipple Problems and Discharge What are some common nipple problems? Click Image to Enlarge Nipple conditions are a common benign (non-cancerous) breast condition affecting many women. Some problems a...
Normal Breast Development and Changes Normal Breast Development and Changes What is normal breast development? Breast development is a vital part of reproduction in the human female. Unlike other mammals, however, human females develop f...
Online Resources - Breast Health Online Resources - Breast Health This Web was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical adv...
Other Treatments for Breast Cancer Other Treatments for Breast Cancer There are several other different types of treatment for breast cancer. Here is a brief review of the most common types: Hormone therapy . Hormone therapy is used t...
Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome The risk for breast and ovarian cancer is increased with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), a rare early-onset autosomal dominant disorder, associated with specific physical charact...
Post-Mastectomy Post-Mastectomy There are many considerations a woman needs to take following a mastectomy. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Breast Reconstruction ...
Post-Mastectomy Prosthesis Post-Mastectomy Prosthesis What is a prosthesis? There are various types of post-mastectomy and lumpectomy prostheses, also called breast forms. Manufacturers make a wide selection of types, shapes, ...
Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment What is radiation therapy? Radiation therapy is a process that precisely sends high levels of radiation directly to the cancer cells. Radiation done afte...
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer Cancer Types - Risk Factors for Breast Cancer What is a risk factor? A risk factor is anything that may increase a person's chance of developing a disease. It may be an activity, such as smoking, die...
Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer? The following are the most common symptoms of breast cancer. Early breast cancer usually does not cause pain and ...
Stages of Breast Cancer Stages of Breast Cancer What is staging of breast cancer? When breast cancer is diagnosed, tests will be done to find out if the cancer has spread from the breast to other parts of the body. This is ...
Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) The Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene, or STAR, was a clinical trial that began at an estimated 500 sites across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada ea...
Surgery for Breast Cancer Treatment Surgery for Breast Cancer Treatment How is surgery used in breast cancer treatment? Surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible is the primary treatment for breast cancer. Today, women have m...
Topic Index - Breast Health Topic Index - Breast Health Breast Health Home Anatomy of the Breasts Normal Breast Development Breast Health: Three-Step Plan for Preventive Care How to Perform a Breast Self-Examination Mammography...
Treatments for Breast Cancer Treatments for Breast Cancer There are many different treatments for breast cancer that involve the clinical care of a physician or other health care professional. Listed in the directory below are s...