Understanding Cancer and How It Develops

Organs of the body consist of tissues and these tissues are made of cells.  Cells grow, divide, and create new cells, as our body needs them.  Old cells die, and new ones take their place.  A problem occurs when something goes wrong.  New cells are created when the body doesn’t need them, and old cells do not die when they are supposed to.  The result of this anomaly is a tumor.  It is important to remember, tumors can be malignant or benign.  Benign tumors are not cancer, only malignant tumors are cancer.

Benign tumors are usually not life threatening and can be removed.  Once removed, they don’t grow back.  Benign tumors do not spread cells to the tissues surrounding them, or to other parts of the body.

Malignant tumors are a different story.  They are serious and life threatening.  They can be surgically removed, but many times, they will grow back.  Cells from these malignant tumors can spread to surrounding tissues and organs.  Malignant tumors can send cells to other parts of the body.  With breast cancer as the primary source of the cancer, other cancer sites are the brain, liver, bones, and lungs.  These are considered secondary sites.  These cancers cells have metastasized to other parts of the body. 

Spreading Cancer - Metastasis

Cells can break away from the malignant tumor and be spread through the bloodstream to every part of the body.  After these cells have invaded other areas of the body or organs, it forms new tumors that damage the formerly healthy organs. 

If breast cancer has spread to the bones, it is still considered and treated as breast cancer.  The cancerous cells in the bones are breast cancer cells that have metastasized to the bones. 

If cancer cells have been found in the lymphatic system or bloodstream, they could spread throughout the body.  Those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer should be on the alert to signs of cancer in the rest of the body.  When a tumor has been removed, a pathologist can decide if the cancer has spread.  He will examine the edges around the tumor to find stray cancerous cells.  If he doesn’t find any, and lymph nodes are found to be clear of cancer, the tumor has probably been contained.

Early Detection

Your recovery from breast cancer, or any cancer, increases if the cancer is detected early.  If you show any signs of tumors, lumps in the breast, tenderness to the breast area or under the arm, and change in shape or size of the breast, get to the doctor immediately.  Early detection can stop this disease from spreading to other organs in your body.  This is life-threatening condition, if cancer cells metastasize to organs that are essential for life.  If you know you have a high risk factor, be sure to have regular breast exams and screenings.  Self-exams are important and should be done at the same time of each month.  It is recommended to use your birthday as the target date to practice self-examination on your breasts.