Breast Cancer Causes: What are they?

"Breast Cancer Causes" have been a topic that many researchers are trying to discover. Although no actual cause has been proven, there are very few causes that can be confirmed. Breast cancer can happen to anyone even if you do not have any common risk factors of breast cancer. Studies have shown that there are several ways to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Causes- Cellular Mutations

All types of cancers begin at the cellular level. Cells are considered the building blocks that make up the tissues in our bodies. Tissues make up all of the organs in bodies such as the liver, brain, lungs, skin etc.

In normal situations, cells grow and divide to make up new cells. When a cell has reached the end of its life cycle, it is replaced by a newly formed cell.

In cancerous situations, new cells rapidly form at an abnormal rate and older cells do not die as they should. What you are let with is an out-of-control bundle of chaotic cells. This growth is now called a growth or tumor.

A tumor can form anywhere where there are cells....which is ANYWHERE within the body. These tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors are confined and typically do not invade or spread into the surrounding tissues. On the other hand, malignant tumors have a more invasive component and branch out to or metastasize into surrounding tissues.

Causes of Breast Cancer Travel

A common location of breast cancer metastasis is to nearby lymph nodes. Because lymph nodes serve as the drainage network of the breast, breast malignancies typically use the lymph nodes to aid in their travel to other parts of the body. Once in the lymph system, the breast cancer cells are given the rights to go to countless locations throughout the body. For this reason, when breast cancer is treated surgically, lymph nodes will be sampled during surgery to see if there is any involvement. The most common areas of breast cancer metastasis are lung, brain, and liver. (Interesting Fact: Lung cancer that is diagnosed as a metastasis from the breast is still considered breast cancer.)

Genetic Causes of Breast Cancer

Genetically speaking, some women may be more likely to develop breast cancer than others. A simple genetic test can be performed to see what your likelihood is. 

Environmental Causes of Breast Cancer

Is has been questioned that many causes of breast cancer can be linked back to the environment.