Breast Cancer
Women in the United States get breast cancer more than any other type of cancer except for skin cancer. It is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in women. RAS physicians and staff offer comprehensive breast cancer screening, detection and treatment thoughout the greater Sacramento region.Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the breast tissues and grow rapidly, dividing without control. This process results in the body producing an abundance of mutated cells, forming a malignant tumor in the breast. Over time, cancer cells can invade nearby healthy breast tissue and make their way into the underarm lymph nodes, small organs that filter out foreign substances in the body. If cancer cells get into the lymph nodes, they then have a pathway into other parts of the body.
Breast cancer is a disease that differs by individual, age group, and even the kinds of cells within the tumors themselves. Symptoms vary widely and many breast cancers have no obvious symptoms at all.
Breast self-exam should be part of your monthly health care routine, and you should visit your doctor if you experience breast changes. If you're over 40 or at a high risk for the disease, you should also have an annual mammogram and physical exam by a doctor. The earlier breast cancer is found and diagnosed, the better your chances of beating it. Tests used for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring include but are not limited to mammography, ultrasound, MRI, and Positron Emission Mammography (also known as PET Mammography).