Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer What causes breast cancer? Breasts are made of a lots of different tissues, including ducts, lobes and lobules and glands that produce milk and carry it to the nipple. The breasts also contain lymph nodes and fatty tissue. Cancer develops when cells in the breast mutate and grow out of control, forming a tumor. Most breast cancers—about 80 percent—are ductal carcinomas, which begin in milk ducts. About 10 percent of all breast cancers are lobular carcinomas, which develop in the lobes or glands that produce milk. Other factors that may increase a woman’s risk for developing breast cancer include: Obesity Breast density Menstrual history A sedentary lifestyle Heavy drinking Previous medical treatments Who gets breast cancer? The risk for developing breast cancer increases with age. According to the National Cancer Institute: The average age of a woman diagnosed with breast cancer is 62. The average age of a woman who dies from breast c...