Questions and Answers What is breast cancer? What causes breast cancer and how likely am I to develop breast cancer? What is the survival rate for breast cancer? How is breast cancer treated? How is breast cancer detected? What is a mammogram? Is mammogram dangerous? How is mammography performed? How can I find a mammography center in my area? How much does a mammogram cost? If I have breast implants do I still need to have a mammogram? Should I be concerned if my doctor tells me I need to have a breast biopsy? How is a breast biopsy performed? Is a breast biopsy dangerous? How will I know the results of my breast biopsy?

Cancer is a condition caused by cells in the body that divide and reproduce abnormally and which can spread, or metastasize, throughout the body. Breast cancer occurs when breast cells divide rapidly to form a lump or mass known as a tumor. Breast tumors may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant, (cancerous). Malignant tumors are those that penetrate healthy body tissues.

There are two general categories of breast cancer: noninvasive, where the cancer cells are confined to the ducts (milk passages); and invasive, where the cancer cells have broken through the duct into the surrounding fatty and connective tissues. Within these categories, there are a number of unique cancer types, affecting different components of the breast.

(See Breast Cancer Information)

Although a great deal of research is underway to understand what causes breast cells to become cancerous, the cause of breast cancer remains unknown today.

It is estimated that approximately 182,800 women developep breast cancer in 2000 and that nearly 40,800 women died of the disease. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, following lung cancer. The chance of developing breast cancer increases with age:

There are some risk factors, such as a family or personal history of breast cancer, race, history of chest area radiation, long menstrual history (early onset of menstruation and late onset of menopause), the use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, and alcohol use, that have been shown to increase a woman's chances of developing breast cancer. (See Breast Cancer Information - Risk Factors)

Successful treatment and survival rates for breast cancer patients are dramatically affected by early detection of breast cancers. When breast cancer is detected before it has spread to lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is 97%. If the cancer has spread to the underarm lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is 76%. If the cancer has spread to other body organs, such as the lung or brain, the five-year survival rate drops to 20%. (See Breast Cancer Information - Survival Rates)

Breast cancers are treated by a variety of methods including; surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, either alone or in conjunction with surgery, and drug therapies, which can be used with or without surgery. The physician and the patient should determine an appropriate treatment program according to the specific type of breast cancer being treated and the stage of the cancer.

Most breast cancers are treated surgically, using one of the following procedures:

Along with surgery, some women will receive additional treatment to prevent further growth, spread, or recurrence of cancer. Additional treatments include:

• Chemotherapy - the use of cytotoxic (cell-killing) chemicals to destroy cancer cells


• Radiation therapy - the use of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells.


• Drug therapy - the use of a variety of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used, with or without surgery, to treat breast cancer.

(See Types of Treatment)

This website provides general information only. A physician should be contacted if you need any medical advice or if medical decisions need to be made.