The causes, symptoms, and risk factors of breast cancer
Breast cancer is a condition in which cancer develops in the cells or tissues of the breasts. While it is found to be more common among women, men can also develop this condition. It is, in fact, found to be the second most diagnosed type of cancer among women in the country after skin cancer. Over the years, the survival rates for the condition have gone up and the number of fatalities has gone down with advancements in technology and treatment methods. Causes The exact causes of breast cancer are not clear, but it can typically be attributed to the overgrowth of abnormal breast cells, resulting in the accumulation and development of a lump or a mass. In some cases, the cancer cells may also spread to other parts of the body and to the lymph nodes. It usually develops in the milk-producing ducts (invasive ductal carcinoma), in the glandular tissue (invasive lobular carcinoma), or in the other breast cells or tissues. It has also been found that around 5-10 % of breast cancer cases are associated with mutations in genes that have been passed down the generations. Mutated genes that could be responsible for causing breast cancer have been identified as BRCA1 and BRCA2.