Breast Cancer Tips

Breast Cancer Facts

How Breast Cancer Develops

Breast cancer develops much like any other type of cancer. Your breasts, like the rest of your body, are made up of cells that grow and reproduce in cycles. Each cell's DNA tells it when to reproduce and when to rest. If a glitch arises in a cell's DNA, it may grow and reproduce unchecked. These are cancerous cells. A mass of cancerous cells is a tumor. Tumors in the breast eventually become large enough so that they can be seen in a mammogram and felt in a breast exam. Other kinds of lumps and thickening can occur in breasts, and are usually benign (not cancerous). You can't tell the difference without the help of a doctor, so it's important to know what's normal for your breasts, and to call your doctor if you notice anything that's abnormal.