Women's Health

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is when a group of damaged cells grow and multiply in the breast. Normally cells grow and multiply in a orderly way, but changed genes cause them to behave abnormally and metastasised and form a lump. 

What causes Breast Cancer?

At present there is not a clear understanding of what exactly causes breast cancer, however, research has shown there a number of risk factors that increase the chances of a woman developing breast cancer.

How does Breast Cancer develop?

Breast cancer develops in either the ducts or the lobules. Lobules are where milk production occurs and ducts transport the milk to the nipples. Cancer cells develop when the cells lining the ducts or lobules become abnormal in size and shape and start multiplying in an uncontrolled way. If the cancer is not treated and controlled, the cancer cells will continue to multiply and potentially spread to other parts of the body. These are called secondary cancers or metastases.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is anything that increases the possibility of getting a disease.

The most important risk factors in developing breast cancer appear to be:

· Being female

· Age

· Strong family history

· Previous diagnosis of breast cancer or Ductal carcinoma in situ

· Early menstruation (before the age of 12 years)

· Late menopause (after the age of 55 years)

· Not having children or having a first child after 30 years of age.

· Taking combined hormone replacement therapy after menopause, especially when taken for longer than 5 years

· Not breastfeeding

· Excessive weight gain in adulthood

· Drinking alcohol

· Previously having been diagnosed with lobular carcinoma in situ LCIS or atypical hyperplasia 

Treating Breast Cancer

Treatment of breast cancer will vary from person to person. Not all cases of breast cancer are the same. Each women’s situation and cancer is different. Treatment will also vary based on the stage at which the cancer is found.

Breast cancer treatment can include:

· Surgery

· Chemotherapy

· Radiotherapy

· Hormone therapy

The aim of breast cancer treatment is to successfully remove the cancer, destroy any cancer cells that may remain in the breast and destroy any cells that may have to spread to other parts of the body.

Breast Cancer Statistics

Breast cancer is at present the most common invasive cancer diagnosed in females in Australia and is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in women.

Incidence

· Currently 36 women in Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer every day

· The number of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia increased from 5,289 in 1982 to 12,614 in 2006.

· It is projected that there will be 15,409 women diagnosed with breast cancer by 2015 which is 22% higher than in 2006.

· One in nine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia by the age of 85.

Mortality

· A women’s risk of dying from breast cancer before the age of 85 has been declining, from a 1 in 30 risk in 1982 to 1 in 38 risk in 2006.

· In 2006 there were 2,618 deaths due to breast cancer.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix and involves the lower part of the uterus, or womb, which is situated at the top of the vagina. Cervical cancer is when a group of damaged cells grow and multiply in the lining of the cervix and form a pre-cancerous legion. If undetected, such lesions can develop into tumours and spread into the surrounding tissue. 

What causes Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer and development of abnormal cervical cells is caused by the human papilloma virus, or HPV.  Although other factors such as smoking, taking the oral contraceptive pill, a women’s immune system and the presence of other infections also seem to play a role, a women has to be infected with certain high risk HPV types before cervical cancer can develop. Current research suggests high risk types 16 and 18 account for 70% of all cervical cancers.

HPV

HPV is a common virus that affects both males and females. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Certain types of HPV cause common warts on the feet and hands. Most forms of HPV are harmless, and do not cause any symptoms and go away on there own.  However, some high risk HPV types can cause cervical pre-cancer and cancer.

HPV is highly contagious and is transmitted through sexual contact. Fortunately in most individuals who have HPV, the body’s defences are enough to eliminate the virus. Both high risk and low risk types of HPV cause abnormal pap smear tests.

Signs and Symptoms

Early changes in the cells of the cervix rarely cause symptoms. 

If early cell changes develop into cervical cancer, the most common signs include:

· Vaginal bleeding between periods

· Menstrual bleeding that is longer or heavier than usual

· Bleeding after intercourse

· Pain during intercourse

· Unusual vaginal discharge

· Vaginal bleeding after menopause

· Excessive tiredness

· Leg pain or swelling

· Low back pain

All these symptoms are common to many conditions and may not mean cervical cancer, However, if you have these symptoms you should have them checked by your doctor.

Diagnosis

Abnormal cell changes in the cervix can be detected with a pap smear. A pap smear does not provide a diagnosis but finds early changes that can be further investigated to determine whether the changes might later become cancer. The earlier these changes are detected the better the chance of cure.

Reference

www.breastcancer.org.au

www.accf.org.au

For more information

Wesley Corporate Health

Level 2, 46 Edward St

Brisbane  Qld  4000

Phone: 07 3234 2600

Email: info@weshealth.com.au

Heartline (National) 1300 362 787

Disclaimer

This Fact Sheet is provided for your information only and does not replace qualified medical advice. The information provided may not apply to every person or all situations. A medical practitioner should be consulted for all treatment and medication.