BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

1. BREAST CANCER
NATIONAL UNION OF GHANA STUDENTS,
DNEPROPETROVSK-UKRAINE.
LABARAN KAMAL UMAR

2. INTRODUCTION
WHAT AT ALL IS CANCER ? Our bodies are made up of trillions of cells grouped to form tissues
and organs. Genes inside the nucleus of each cell tell it when to grow,
work, divide and die. Normally, our cells follow these instructions and
we stay healthy.
But when there is a change in our DNA or damage to it, a gene can
mutate. Mutated genes don’t work properly because the instructions
in their DNA get mixed up. This can cause cells that should be resting
to divide and grow out of control, which can lead to cancer.

3. HOW CANCER STARTS
When genes work properly, they tell cells when it is the right time to grow and divide. When cells divide, they
make exact copies of themselves. One cell divides into 2 identical cells, then 2 cells divide into 4, and so on. In
adults, cells normally grow and divide to make more cells only when the body needs them, such as to replace
aging or damaged cells.
But cancer cells are different. Cancer cells have gene mutations that turn the cell from a normal cell into a
cancer cell. These gene mutations may be inherited, develop over time as we get older and genes wear out, or
develop if we are around something that damages our genes, like cigarette smoke, alcohol or ultraviolet (UV)
radiation from the sun.
A cancer cell doesn’t act like a normal cell. It starts to grow and divide out of control instead of dying when it
should. They also don’t mature as much as normal cells so they stay immature. Although there are many
different types of cancer, they all start because of cells that are growing abnormally and out of control. Cancer
can start in any cell in the body.

4. HOW CANCER GROWS
Gene mutations in cancer cells interfere with the normal instructions in a cell and can cause it to
grow out of control or not die when it should. A cancer can continue to grow because cancer
cells act differently than normal cells. As cancer cells divide, a tumour will develop and grow.
Cancer cells have the same needs as normal cells. They need a blood supply to bring oxygen and
nutrients to grow and survive. When a tumour is very small, it can easily grow, and it gets oxygen
and nutrients from nearby blood vessels.

5. HOW CANCER GROWS
(CONT.)
But as a tumour grows, it needs more blood to bring oxygen and other nutrients to the
cancer cells. So cancer cells send signals for a tumour to make new blood vessels. This
is called angiogenesis and it is one of the reasons that tumours grow and get bigger. It
also allows cancer cells to get into the blood and spread more easily to other parts of
the body. There is a lot of research that is looking at using drugs that stop blood vessel
growth (called angiogenesis inhibitors), causing a tumour to stop growing and even
shrink.

6. BREAST CANCER
WHAT IS IT???? Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast
cells. To better understand breast cancer, it helps to
understand how any cancer can develop.
Cancer occurs as a result of mutations, or abnormal
changes, in the genes responsible for regulating the
growth of cells and keeping them healthy. The genes
are in each cell’s nucleus, which acts as the “control
room” of each cell. Normally, the cells in our bodies
replace themselves through an orderly process of cell
growth: healthy new cells take over as old ones die
out. But over time, mutations can “turn on” certain
genes and “turn off” others in a cell. That changed cell
gains the ability to keep dividing without control or
order, producing more cells just like it and forming a
tumor.

7. A tumor can be benign (not dangerous to health) or malignant (has the
potential to be dangerous). Benign tumors are not considered
cancerous: their cells are close to normal in appearance, they grow
slowly, and they do not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts
of the body. Malignant tumors are cancerous. Left unchecked,
malignant cells eventually can spread beyond the original tumor to
other parts of the body.

8. The term “breast cancer” refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the
breast. Usually breast cancer either begins in the cells of the lobules, which are the milk-
producing glands, or the ducts, the passages that drain milk from the lobules to the nipple.
Less commonly, breast cancer can begin in the stromal tissues, which include the fatty and
fibrous connective tissues of the breast.

9. Over time, cancer cells can invade nearby healthy breast tissue and make their way into
the underarm lymph nodes, small organs that filter out foreign substances in the body. If
cancer cells get into the lymph nodes, they then have a pathway into other parts of the
body. The breast cancer’s stage refers to how far the cancer cells have spread beyond the
original tumor (see the Stages of breast cancer below for more information).
Breast cancer is always caused by a genetic abnormality (a “mistake” in the genetic
material). However, only 5-10% of cancers are due to an abnormality inherited from your
mother or father. Instead, 85-90% of breast cancers are due to genetic abnormalities that
happen as a result of the aging process and the “wear and tear” of life in general.
There are steps every person can take to help the body stay as healthy as possible, such
as eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol,
and exercising regularly (learn what you can do to manage breast cancer risk factors).
While these may have some impact on your risk of getting breast cancer, they cannot
eliminate the risk.
Developing breast cancer is not your or anyone's fault. Feeling guilty, or telling yourself
that breast cancer happened because of something you or anyone else did, is not

10. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. Most women diagnosed with
breast cancer are over 50, but younger women can also get breast cancer.
About one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.
There's a good chance of recovery if it's detected in its early stages.
For this reason, it's vital that women check their breasts regularly for any changes and
always get any changes examined by their GP.

11. Breast cancer can
affect men too, but
this article will focus
on breast cancer in
women.

12. WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS/ CAUSES?
A breast cancer risk factor is anything that makes it more likely you'll get
breast cancer. But having one or even several breast cancer risk factors
doesn't necessarily mean you'll develop breast cancer. Many women who
develop breast cancer have no known risk factors other than simply being
women.
Factors that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer include:
•Being female Women are much more likely than men are to develop breast
cancer.
•Increasing age Your risk of breast cancer increases as you age.
•A personal history of breast cancer. If you've had breast cancer in one
breast, you have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other breast.

13. •A family history of breast cancer If your mother, sister or daughter was
diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly at a young age, your risk of breast
cancer is increased. Still, the majority of people diagnosed with breast cancer
have no family history of the disease.
•Inherited genes that increase cancer risk Certain gene mutations that increase
the risk of breast cancer can be passed from parents to children. The most well-
known gene mutations are referred to as BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes can
greatly increase your risk of breast cancer and other cancers, but they don't
make cancer inevitable.
•Radiation exposure If you received radiation treatments to your chest as a child
or young adult, your risk of breast cancer is increased.
•Obesity Being obese increases your risk of breast cancer.
•Beginning your period at a younger age Beginning your period before age 12
increases your risk of breast cancer.

14. •Late menopause start Women who do not start menopause until
after age 55 are more likely to develop breast cancer.
•Never being pregnant Women who never became pregnant or
never carried a pregnancy to full-term are more likely to develop
breast cancer.
Alcohol consumption A study by Chen et al found that low levels
of alcohol consumption were associated with a small increase in
breast cancer risk; cumulative alcohol intake throughout adult
life was the most consistent measure. Alcohol intake that
occurred early and late in adult life was independently
associated with risk. The mechanism, though unclear, likely is
mediated via increasing estrogen levels.
A meta-analysis showed that for every 10 grams of alcohol
consumed per day, there is a 7% increase in the risk of breast
cancer. Compared with women who never drank, women who
drank 35-44 g of alcohol (or, roughly 2-3 alcoholic beverages)

15. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

20. HOW IS A BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSED?
BREAST SELF EXAM

21. IMAGING TESTS
A MAMMOGRAM is a type of x-ray commonly used for initial breast cancer
screening. It produces images that can help detect any lumps or abnormalities.
A suspicious result can be followed up by further diagnosis. However,
mammography sometimes shows up a suspicious area that is not cancer. This
can lead to unnecessary stress and sometimes interventions.

22. AN ULTRASOUND SCAN can help differentiate
between a solid mass or a fluid-filled cyst.
AN MRI SCAN involves injecting a dye into the
patient, so find out how far the cancer has
spread.

23. BREAST BIOPSY
If your doctor suspects breast cancer, they may order both a mammogram and an
ultrasound. If both of these tests can’t tell your doctor if you have cancer, your
doctor may do a test called a breast biopsy.
During this test, your doctor will remove a tissue sample from the suspicious area
to have it tested. There are several types of breast biopsies. With some of these
tests, your doctor uses a needle to take the tissue sample. With others, they make
an incision in your breast and then remove the sample.
Your doctor will send the tissue sample to a laboratory. If the sample tests positive
for cancer, the lab can test it further to tell your doctor what type of cancer you
have

25. TREATMENT
Your breast cancer’s stage, how far it has invaded (if it has), and how big the
tumor has grown all play a large part in determining what kind of treatment you’ll
need.
To start, your doctor will determine your cancer’s size, stage, and grade (how likely
it is to grow and spread). After that, the two of you can discuss your treatment
options. Surgery is the most common treatment for breast cancer. In addition to
surgery, most women have a complementary treatment, such as chemotherapy,
radiation, or hormone therapy.

26. Surgery
Several types of surgery may be used to remove breast cancer, including:
Lumpectomy This procedure removes only the suspicious or cancerous spot, leaving most
surrounding tissue in place.
Mastectomy. In this procedure, a surgeon removes an entire breast. In a double mastectomy,
both breasts are removed.
Sentinel node biopsy. This surgery removes some of the lymph nodes that receive drainage from
the tumor. These lymph nodes will be tested. If they don’t have cancer, you may not need
additional lymph-removing surgery.
Axillary lymph node dissection. If lymph nodes removed during a sentinel node biopsy test
positive, your doctor may perform this procedure to remove additional lymph nodes.
Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. Even though breast cancer may be present in only one
breast, some women elect to have a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. This surgery

28. Radiation therapy
With radiation therapy, high-powered beams of radiation are used to target and kill
cancer cells. Most radiation treatments use external beam radiation. This technique
uses a large machine on the outside of the body.
Advances in cancer treatment have also enabled doctors to irradiate cancer from
inside the body. This type of radiation treatment is called brachytherapy. To conduct
brachytherapy, surgeons place radioactive seeds, or pellets, inside the body near the
tumor site. The seeds stay there for a short period of time and work to reduce
cancer cells.

29. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a drug treatment used to destroy cancer cells. Some people may undergo
chemotherapy on its own, but this type of treatment is often used along with other
treatments, especially surgery.
In some cases, doctors prefer to give patients chemotherapy before surgery. The hope is that
the treatment will shrink the tumor, and then the surgery will not need to be as invasive.
Chemotherapy has many unwanted side effects, so discuss your concerns with your doctor
before starting treatment.

30. Hormone therapy
If your type of breast cancer is sensitive to hormones, your doctor may start
you on hormone therapy. Estrogen and progesterone, two female hormones,
can stimulate the growth of breast cancer tumors. Hormone therapy works by
blocking your body’s production of these hormones. This action can help slow
and possibly stop the growth of your cancer.
Medications
Certain medications are designed to attack specific abnormalities or
mutations within cancer cells. For example, Herceptin (trastuzumab) can
block your body’s production of the HER2 protein. HER2 helps breast cancer
cells grow, so taking a medication to slow the production of this protein may
help slow cancer growth.
Your doctor will tell you more about any specific treatment they recommend
for you

31. BREAST CANCER PREVENTION
Breast cancer doesn’t have an identifiable cause. For that reason, it can’t
be prevented entirely. However, following a healthy lifestyle, getting
regular screening, and taking any preventive measures your doctor
recommends can help reduce your risk.

32. LIFESTYLE FACTORS
Lifestyle factors can affect your risk of breast cancer. For instance, women who are obese
have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Maintaining a healthy diet and getting more
exercise could help you lose weight and lower your risk.
Drinking too much alcohol also increases your risk. This is true of having two or more drinks
per day, and of binge drinking. However, a recent study found that even one drink per day
increases your risk of breast cancer. If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor about what
amount they recommend for you.

33. BREAST CANCER SCREENING
Having regular mammograms may not prevent breast cancer, but it can help
reduce the odds that it will go undetected. The American Cancer Society
provides the following general recommendations for mammograms:
• Women ages 40 to 44: An annual mammogram is optional.
• Women age 45 to 54: An annual mammogram is recommended.
• Women 55 and older: A mammogram every 1 or 2 years is recommended,
for as long as you’re in good health and expected to live 10 more years or
longer.
These are only guidelines. Specific recommendations for mammograms are
different for each woman, so talk with your doctor to see if you should get
regular mammograms.

35. SOME BREAST CANCER MYTHS
Myth #1: If you find a lump in your breast, you must have cancer.
A small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be malignant or cancerous.
Eighty to 85% of the time, these lumps are cysts or noncancerous
tumors. But, it’s still very important not to ignore lumps and have them
checked out by your doctor.
Myth #2: A family history of breast cancer means you’ll get it, too.
While a hereditary link to breast cancer does place you in a higher risk
group, only about 10% of women who are diagnosed have a family history
of the disease. Still, consult your doctor about whether you should start
getting screened at a younger age or more often based on family history

36. Myth #3: Having a smaller chest lowers your risk for breast cancer.
With breast cancer, size doesn’t matter. The cancer develops in the cells lining
the breast ducts and lobules, where milk is produced and carried to the nipple.
All women have the same amount of these cells.
Myth #4: Young women don’t have to worry about breast cancer.
Sadly, cases of metastatic breast cancer have been rising slightly for women
ages 25 to 39. While most breast cancer affects women after age 40, young
women are still at risk.
Breast cancer in younger women tends to be more aggressive and harder to
treat. And because routine screening isn’t recommended until 40, young
women are less likely to benefit from early detection.

37. Myth #9: Antiperspirants and deodorants can cause breast cancer.
No link has been found between using antiperspirants/deodorants and
breast cancer.
Myth #10: Wearing an underwire or regular bra can increase your risk of
breast cancer.
No link has been found between wearing bras and breast cancer.

38. THANK YOU!!