HUMAN BIOLOGY

324 Chapter 16

Cancers of the Breast and Reproductive System

Chances for cure are excellent if breast cancer is

detected early. Hence a woman should examine her breasts

every month (about a week after her menstrual period,

during her reproductive years). Figure 16.20 shows the

steps of a self-exam. Low-dose mammography (breast

X-ray) combined with ultrasound is the most effective

method for detecting small breast cancers. The American

Cancer Society recommends an annual mammogram for

women over 40 and for younger women at high risk.

Early breast cancer often is treated by lumpectomy, which

removes the tumor but leaves nearly all of the breast tissue.

In modified radical mastectomy, the affected breast tissue,

overlying skin, and nearby lymph nodes are removed.

When the cancer has spread to muscles of the chest wall,

they also must be taken out (radical mastectomy). In all cases,

lymph nodes are examined because they reveal whether

the cancer has begun to spread.

Various chemotherapy drugs are also used in the fight

against breast cancer. A few can sometimes shrink tumors.

In the United States, breast cancer is a major killer of

women. In both females and males, reproductive system

cancers also are major health concerns.

Breast cancer is a major cause of death

In the United States, about one woman in eight, and a small

number of men, develop breast cancer. Of all cancers in

women, breast cancer currently ranks second only to lung

cancer as a cause of death.

Obesity, early puberty, late childbearing, late meno-

pause, excessive estrogen levels, excessive alcohol con-

sumption, and a fatty diet are risk factors for women. The

risk is much greater for women with a family history of the

disease. They may carry a faulty version of a gene such as

BRCA1 or BRCA2. (Cancer is more likely when such genes

are mutated.) Only 20 percent of breast lumps are cancer,

but a woman should see a doctor about any breast lump,

thickening, dimpling, breast pain, or discharge.

Figure 16.20 Women should perform monthly breast self-examination. The diagram shows how to perform a breast self-examination.

The mammogram shown at right has revealed a breast cancer tumor. (© Cengage Learning)

Lie down and put a folded towel under your left shoulder,
then put your left hand behind your head. With the right hand
(fingers flat), begin the examination of your left breast by follow-
ing the outer circle of arrows shown. Gently press the fingers in
small, circular motions to check for any lump, hard knot, or
thickening. Next, follow the inner circle of arrows. Continue
doing this for at least three more circles, one of which should
include the nipple. Then repeat the procedure for the right
breast. For a complete examination, repeat the procedure while
standing in a shower. Hands glide more easily over wet skin.

Stand before a mirror, lift your arms over your head, and look
for any unusual changes in the contour of your breasts, such as
a swelling, dimpling, or retraction (inward sinking) of the nipple.
Also check for any unusual discharge from the nipple.

If you discover a lump or any other change during a

breast self-examination, it’s important to see a physi-

cian at once. Most changes are not cancerous, but

let the doctor make the diagnosis.

1

2

tumor

Deco/Alamy

16.12

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