Focus on Breast Cancer

Breast cancer -   those two words send a shiver of fear through most of women.  Some of us love our breasts – others go through that too big, too small turmoil.  But whatever we think of our breasts, they are our breasts and we want to keep them.

But do we really know enough about this disease?

Here, Womens Everything takes an in-depth look at breast cancer and gives you the facts.

The Breast

Our breasts are constantly changing from puberty onwards.

When girls reach puberty they develop lobules at the end of the ducts that sit behind the nipples. Mainly made up of fatty tissue, the breasts are supported by ligaments and muscle attached to the chest wall.

When girls reach puberty they develop lobules at the end of the ducts that sit behind the nipples. Mainly made up of fatty tissue, the breasts are supported by ligaments and muscle attached to the chest wall.

• Each female breast has 15-20 lobes with a number of lobules and ducts surrounded by fatty and supportive tissue.

• Each lobule has about 30 major ducts that open onto the nipple.

• The darker area of skin around the nipple is called the areola. It has large glands around it which produce fluid to lubricate the nipple.

• Lymph nodes - In each armpit there are about 20-30 lymph nodes that drain fluid from the breast. These form part of the lymphatic system that helps the body to fight infection.

• Nipples – The nipples usually point forward, and can quite often look different on each breast. Nipples can be turned inwards (inverted), and although nipples are hairless, some women have a few hairs around the areola.

• Accessory breasts - Some people have an extra breast or pair of breasts (accessory breasts), or an extra nipple. Accessory breasts and extra nipples are unlikely to cause a problem and do not need to be removed.

• Breast tissue begins to lose its firmness with age; the milk-producing tissue is replaced by fat, which makes the breasts sag.

• This is more noticeable after the menopause when oestrogen levels fall and periods have stopped. As you grow older your breasts may also change size.

• HRT - If you take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) your breasts may feel firmer and sometimes quite tender.

Further advice can be obtained from Breast Cancer Care go to their website which includes downloadable PDF's  Contact: Breast Cancer Care – Tel 0808 800 6000 or Email: info@breastcancercare.org.uk

PLEASE NOTE: This article is for information only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care and we would always advise you to check with your doctor if you have any concerns about your condition or treatment.