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Gene Testing
Medical researchers are now able to look within cells,
and are making new discoveries that explain how genes are
related to cancer and other diseases. They have identified
specific genes linked to breast cancer and other cancers that
run in families. Tests are becoming available for women and
family members who choose to find out if they have inherited
the genetic changes that increase their risk for cancer. There
is still much uncertainty involved with gene testing. If you
or your family members are considering testing, your doctor or
a genetics counselor can give you guidance and help you make
an informed decision. It's important to consider carefully the
benefits, risks, limitations, and the far-reaching consequences of gene testing.
The only way to find out for sure if a breast
lump or abnormal tissue is cancer is by having a biopsy.
The suspicious tissue that is removed by a surgeon
or radiologist during a biopsy is examined
under a microscope by a pathologist who makes
the diagnosis. If your biopsy result is positive,
it means that the tumor or tissue from the suspicious area
contains cancer and you will need treatment. Information on
the following pages can help you understand the various
treatments that are available and decide what is best for you.
It is safe to begin treatment up to several weeks after
diagnosis.
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What Causes
Breast Cancer?
Medical
researchers are learning about what happens inside cells
that may cause cancer. They have identified changes in
certain genes within breast cells that can
be linked to a higher risk for breast cancer. Breast cells
contain a variety of genes that normally work cooperatively
with a woman's natural hormones, diet, and
environment to keep her breasts healthy. Certain genes
routinely keep breast cells from dividing and growing out of
control and forming tumors. When these genes become altered,
changes occur and a cell no longer can grow correctly.
Genetic
changes may be inherited from a parent or may accumulate
throughout a person's lifetime. Breast cancer usually begins
in a single cell that changes from normal to malignant over
a period of time. Presently, no one can predict exactly when
cancer will occur or how it will progress. When breast
cancer is diagnosed - even if detected at the earliest stage
- it is not yet possible to predict which cancer cells will
be treated successfully and which will continue to grow and
spread quickly to other parts of the body.
What is
known:
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You
should not feel guilty. You haven't done anything wrong
in your life that caused breast cancer.
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You
cannot "catch" breast cancer from other women
who have the disease. It is not contagious.
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Breast
cancer is not caused by stress or by an injury to the
breast.
Most women who develop breast cancer do not have any
known risk factors or a history of the
disease in their families.
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