Estrogen promotes the growth of breast cancer cells. Tamoxifen works against the effects of estrogen on these cells. It is often called an “anti-estrogen.” As a treatment for breast cancer, the drug slows or stops the growth of cancer cells that are present in the body. As adjuvant therapy, tamoxifen helps prevent the original breast cancer from returning and also helps prevent the development of new cancers in the other breast.

Research has shown that when tamoxifen is used as adjuvant therapy for early stage breast cancer, it reduces the risk of recurrence of the original cancer and also reduces the risk of developing new cancers in the other breast. Based on these findings, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded a large research study to determine the usefulness of tamoxifen in preventing breast cancer in women who have an increased risk of developing the disease. See similar questions...

Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control in one or both breasts. They can invade nearby tissues and form a mass, called a malignant tumor. The cancer cells can spread (metastasize) to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. Breast cancer is many women’s worst fear. But experts have made great progress in treating cancer. If it is found early, breast cancer can often be cured, and it is not always necessary to remove the breast. See similar questions...

Patients with advanced breast cancer may take tamoxifen for varying lengths of time, depending on their response to this treatment and other factors. When used as adjuvant therapy for early stage breast cancer, tamoxifen is generally prescribed for 5 years. However, the ideal length of treatment with tamoxifen is not known. Two studies have confirmed the benefit of taking adjuvant tamoxifen daily for 5 years. These studies compared 5 years of treatment with tamoxifen with 10 years of treatment. See similar questions...

Answer: 78% of the time, most breast cancer feels like a hard rock or frozen pea in the breast. The other 22% of the time it feels like an area of rubbery thickening. Comparing one breast to the other is helpful in breast self-examination and both breasts should be similar. See similar questions...

Only 20% of lumps are found to be cancerous. It is normal for your breasts to feel slightly lumpy or uneven. It is important to conduct self-examinations while you are young so that you know what your healthy breast feels like. Therefore, you will notice any irregularities at a later time. See similar questions...

The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade is a global philanthropic and cause marketing initiative of Avon Products, Inc. and the Avon Foundation. First created in the UK in 1992, the Crusade launched in the US in 1993 and Avon now supports breast cancer programs in 50 countries worldwide. The mission of the Avon Crusade is funding advancing access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on medically underserved populations. See similar questions...

Yes. Breast cancer in men is rare, however it does occur. Men who have an altered BRCA2 gene have higher rates of breast cancer than men without an altered gene. See similar questions...

Doctors do not know exactly what causes breast cancer. But some things are known to increase the chance that you will get it. These are called risk factors. The main risk factors for breast cancer include:1 Aging. Most breast cancer occurs in women older than 50, and the risk is greatest in women older than 60.2 Family history of breast cancer. You have a higher risk if a close family member, especially your mother or sister, has had breast cancer. Female hormones. See similar questions...

During a regular physical exam, your doctor can check your breasts to look for lumps or changes. Depending on your age and risk factors, the doctor may recommend that you have a mammogram, which is an X-ray of the breast. A mammogram can often find a lump that is too small to be felt. Sometimes a woman finds a lump during a breast self-exam. If you or your doctor finds a lump or other change, the doctor will want to take a sample of the cells in your breast. This is called a biopsy. See similar questions...

You cannot control some things that put you at risk for breast cancer, such as your sex and age. But you can change others. To stay as healthy as you can: If you drink alcohol, limit the amount. After menopause, even having one drink a day or less may increase the risk for breast cancer. Still, there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, so it is very important to have regular exams and mammograms. Discuss your risk factors with your doctor to find out how often you should have a mammogram. See similar questions...

Every October begins the media blitz known as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). Pink ribbons abound and the message you keep hearing is, "Get Your Mammogram!" No mention is ever made in the official NBCAM materials of the need to find the causes of cancer so that we can prevent it. See similar questions...

All women are at risk for breast cancer. Risk factors that may increase a woman’s risk for breast cancer include: age, family history, genetics, previous breast biopsy showing benign (non-cancerous) conditions, menstruation beginning at an early age, menstruation continuing past age 50, not having children, having a first child after age 30, and high fat diets. However, 80% of women who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors. See similar questions...

Family history and genetics are only two of the risk factors associated with breast cancer. Women who carry mutations of certain genes (such as BRCA1, BRCA2, or p53) are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than women with no known risk factors. As stated earlier, 80% of women who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors. See similar questions...

Any change in the normal appearance or texture of a woman’s breast may be an indication of breast cancer and should be examined by a physician. Common warning signs of breast cancer include a lump in the breast, an abnormal thickening of the breast tissue, or a change in density of the breast. Occasionally, breast cancer may be indicated by a lump under the arm, a redness of the skin over the breast, a change of the nipple (such as discharge or inversion), or a dimpling of the breast skin. See similar questions...