What Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer originates from breast tissue, and overwhelmingly affects women although a small number of men can also be affected.
The cancer is most commonly found in the lining of the milk ducts or the lobules that supply milk to the ducts. Breast cancer that affects the ducts is known as ductal carcinoma and cancer that affects the lobules is known as lobular carcinoma.
In the UK, around one third of all diagnosed cancers in women can be attributed to breast cancer, making it the most common female cancer type. In terms of numbers, around 45,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK. Although a prevalent disease, less than 10% of breast cancer is caused by hereditary tendencies.
The causes of breast cancer are varied, although those at the greatest of risk are women over the age of 50, with around 81% of all breast cancers occurring within this group.
Smoking can also increase the risk of breast cancer. However, even though it is so prevalent, its’ exact causes remain unknown. This is why continuous breast cancer research is so important.