Mammograms are x-ray pictures of the breast and can help detect breast cancer sometimes up to three years before it can be felt. Women who get normal mammogram results should continue to get mammograms according to the recommended time intervals since comparing mammograms to previous ones can help detect breast changes. Abnormal mammograms are not indicative of breast cancer but they do indicate the need of additional imaging or exams to rule out any concerns (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017b).
Studies have shown that the risk for breast cancer is due to a combination of factors. The main factors that influence this risk include being a woman and getting older, since most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017a). Some of the factors associated with breast cancer, such as gender, age, genetics, family history, race and ethnicity, and density of breast cannot be changed (Breastcancer.org, n.d.-h) (American Cancer Society, 2017b). …show more content…
However, only 5-10% of cancers are due to an abnormality inherited from a mother or father. Instead, 85-90% of breast cancers are due to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process and the “wear and tear” of life in general (Breastcancer.org, 2015). Most inherited cases of breast cancer are associated with two abnormal genes: BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene one) and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer gene two). These two genes are present in everyone and are responsible for repairing damaged cells and keeping breast, ovarian, and other cells growing normally. When these genes contain abnormalities or mutations that are passed from generation to generation, they do not function properly and breast, ovarian, and other cancer risk increase (Breastcancer.org,
Studies have shown that the risk for breast cancer is due to a combination of factors. The main factors that influence this risk include being a woman and getting older, since most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017a). Some of the factors associated with breast cancer, such as gender, age, genetics, family history, race and ethnicity, and density of breast cannot be changed (Breastcancer.org, n.d.-h) (American Cancer Society, 2017b). …show more content…
However, only 5-10% of cancers are due to an abnormality inherited from a mother or father. Instead, 85-90% of breast cancers are due to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process and the “wear and tear” of life in general (Breastcancer.org, 2015). Most inherited cases of breast cancer are associated with two abnormal genes: BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene one) and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer gene two). These two genes are present in everyone and are responsible for repairing damaged cells and keeping breast, ovarian, and other cells growing normally. When these genes contain abnormalities or mutations that are passed from generation to generation, they do not function properly and breast, ovarian, and other cancer risk increase (Breastcancer.org,