PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) — Over the past month, we have provided an in-depth look at the fight against breast cancer.

First, we examined the different types of breast cancer. Next, we looked at how breast cancer manifests itself. tested and diagnosed. Last week we looked at treatment options available.

This week we look at the signs, symptoms and risk factors.

Sometimes signs and symptoms appear physically on the breast, but sometimes there are none.

According to the American Cancer Society, every woman is at risk of developing breast cancer. However, certain genetic risk factors put some women at greater risk than others.

“We increase our risk of breast cancer as we age. There are also certain ethnic groups. Askinosie Jews are at higher risk. We have very few Askinosie Jewish descendants in our area. Another reason would be breast density. Women, as they age, have higher breast density again, as opposed to fat in the chest,” said Jane Kessler, Memorial Health System breast health navigator.

Genetic risk factors include:

• Gender – women are more at risk than men
• Age – women are more at risk after age 55
• Race – Caucasian women are diagnosed more often than other races
• Family history – first-degree relative with a history of cancer (sister, mother, child)
• Personal health history – if you have ever been diagnosed or had abnormal breast cells
• Menstrual and reproductive history – early periods (before age 12) or late menopause (after age 55)
• Some genome changes – mutation of certain genes
• Dense breast tissue – dense tissue can increase your risk and lumps are harder to detect

“Genetics can play a role, but only, in general, less than ten percent of cases are genetically linked. So most female breast cancers are not linked to genetics, so you can’t rely on that alone for screening purposes It’s a very important small percentage,” said Jo Hendershot, nurse practitioner at WVU Medicine Camden Clark.

There are also environmental and lifestyle risk factors that can increase the risk of breast cancer. These include:

• Lack of physical activity
• Poor diet
• Being overweight or obese
• Drink alcohol
• Radiation to the chest
• Combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Although these things can be a risk factor, the National Breast Cancer Foundation said that only about 30 to 40 percent of patients have known risk factors. This means that approximately 60-70% of breast cancer patients have no association with these risk factors.

When it comes to signs and symptoms, most of the time they are not noticeable.

“When signs and symptoms develop, like if you have a large mass, or a painful mass, or you have bleeding from there, or drainage from there, it’s already late. Sometimes you have nipple discharge or retraction, without feeling a lump, which will help to diagnose it early. Or some skin changes, you can go to the doctor and it can be diagnosed early. But most of the time when signs and symptoms develop, they have already become more advanced,” said Dr. Sabir Hussain of WVU Medicine Camden Clark.

Dr Hussain said that sometimes if the cancer is detected late, other symptoms may appear.

“If it’s advanced, you may have bone pain, you may have shortness of breath. Depending on where the mastitis developed and where it has spread, you have signs and symptoms,” Dr. Hussain said.

Do you see an error in our reports? Send us an email by by clicking here!

Copyright 2024 WTAP. All rights reserved.