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Main page Breast cancer Book marks Links More info Breast cancer resources for patientsBreast cancer is a type of cancer that originates from the cells of the breast tissue. Majority of breast cancers arise from the milk duct in the breast tissue. The tumor may start as a group of cells, but it soon grows into a lump, and starts invading the surrounding tissues. The tumor may spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit and at a later stage the tumor may spread through the blood stream to distant organs like, bone, liver, lungs and brain. At this stage breast cancer is said to be metastatic. Breast cancer is a very major health problem in the United States. American cancer society estimates that in the year 2004 a total of 215, 990 women may have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. Breast cancer was the leading cause of cancer death in American women until recently, but lately lung cancer has moved to the top position. A total of 40,110 American women may have died in the year 2004 from breast cancer. Excluding skin cancer, breast cancer is the commonest cancer among American women. There are over 2 million women living in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the past at this time. Breast cancer is also a major health problem worldwide. World Health Organization estimates that, more than 1.2 million women would be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. This site is dedicated for resources leading to information on breast cancer. |