Each year in the United States, about 237,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and about 2,100 in men. About 41,000 women and 450 men in the U.S. die each year from breast cancer. Over the last decade, the risk of getting breast cancer has not changed for women overall, but the risk has increased for black women and Asian and Pacific Islander women. Black women have a higher risk of death from breast cancer than white women.

The risk of getting breast cancer goes up with age. In the United States, the average age when women are diagnosed with breast cancer is 61. Men who get breast cancer are diagnosed usually between 60 and 70 years old.

Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. There are different kinds of breast cancer. The kind of breast cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn into cancer.

Breast cancer can begin in different parts of the breast. A breast is made up of three main parts: lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. The lobules are the glands that produce milk. The ducts are tubes that carry milk to the nipple. The connective tissue (which consists of fibrous and fatty tissue) surrounds and holds everything together. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts or lobules.

Breast cancer can spread outside the breast through blood vessels and lymph vessels. When breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it is said to have metastasized.

ACOHA Cancer Patient Centric Approach

ACOHA provides patient-centric healthcare that embraces information and interactions that emanate from the patient, as opposed to the more antiquated patient-centered care that focuses on the physician and their practice. Our patient-centric approach ensures pristine workflow. As your trusted partner, our navigators help each patient every step of the way. Patients do not have to wait 30 days for appointments. Our check ins and follow up initiatives, for scans, MRI’s and medicines including nutritional considerations are the primary focal points of our entire team. Our nurses, doctors, medical assistants and nurse practitioners guide patients along the way with 360 degree continuous communication and access.

Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer is treated in several ways. It depends on the kind of breast cancer and how far it has spread. People with breast cancer often get more than one kind of treatment.

Surgery
An operation where doctors cut out cancer tissue.
Chemotherapy
Using special medicines to shrink or kill the cancer cells. The drugs can be pills you take or medicines given in your veins, or sometimes both.
Hormonal Therapy
Blocks cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow.
Biological Therapy
Works with your body’s immune system to help it fight cancer cells or to control side effects from other cancer treatments.
Radiation therapy
Using high-energy rays (similar to X-rays) to kill the cancer cells.

Doctors from different specialties often work together to treat breast cancer. Surgeons are doctors who perform operations. Medical oncologists are doctors who treat cancer with medicine. Radiation oncologists are doctors who treat cancer with radiation.

For more information, visit the National Cancer Institute’s Breast Cancer Treatment Option Overview.