What do we know about breast cancer? Researchers are recognizing that breast
cancer is not one disease, but several.
In general, cancer could be described as cells gone wild. But there are
multiple types of breast cancer. Many of
them, “70-80% of breast tumors are hormone receptor positive—that is, the tumor
exhibits estrogen (ER) and/or progresterone (PR) receptors, which it needs to
grow.” This statement from the Nurses’ Health Study
newsletter explains how hormones affect the breast cancer cells. During the diagnosis process, doctors usually
test patients for hormone receptor status (whether estrogen or progresterone)
and human epidermal growth protein. The
results of this testing helps determine treatment. This explains why all breast cancer patients
may not receive the same treatment.
Breast Cancer is a scary, stressful diagnosis to
receive. We all know women and men who
have dealt with or are dealing with this disease. For more information about breast cancer,
visit The American Cancer Society at http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/indexNurses’ Health Study Newsletter, volume 21, 2014.
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