Breast Cancer Information for Kids ~ Breast Cancer

Receiving news of having breast cancer can be a frightening experience, both for you and your family. Not only do you have to understand how breast cancer happens, but you may also need to explain to your loved ones how it happens as well. Trying to explain breast cancer to a child may be hard for you to approach. However children need to be involved with the process in order to better understand what you are going through. It's important to be honest with a child, rather than trying to protect them from what they may see you going through. According to the American Cancer Society, shielding a child from the discussion of breast cancer may make them more afraid of the situation.

Breast cancer mostly afflicts women, yet men are able to develop the cancer as well. According to Kids Health, breast cancer never affects children. Breast cancer is the result of abnormal cell growth within the breast. Our body creates normal cells, and when they die, new ones are formed. However, when a cell becomes abnormal, this cell can replicate, making many new, harmful cells. These new, harmful cells will create a tumor, which will then result in cancer.

Breast cancer can happen for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is genetics. According to the Mayo Clinic, 5 percent to 10 percent of people who get breast cancer develop the cancer due to an inherited gene mutation. This means that if you've had a mother, sister or aunt who has developed breast cancer, then you may develop the cancer as well. Older women are also prone to developing breast cancer. How we choose to eat and live can also be factors in the development of breast cancer. For example, if you smoke, eat fatty foods and drink alcohol, you place yourself at a higher risk for developing breast cancer.

When a person develops breast cancer, there may be no symptoms. The first indicator of breast cancer may be a lump within the breast. Not all lumps within the breast are cancer. Lumps can be cysts (fluid-filled sacs), scar tissues or changes within the breast as a result of hormonal changes. According to Kids Health, girls who are starting puberty may notice a lump within their breast as they begin to develop. In most circumstances, this is normal.

There are many ways to diagnose breast cancer. A mammogram can be performed to take an X-ray of the breast tissue. With this specialized X-ray, any abnormal growths within the breast can be found. An MRI can also be used. When you get an MRI, a dye is injected into you, which will allow for images to come up stronger on a computer screen. Magnets and radio waves from the MRI create pictures of the breast to show any abnormal growths. Biopsies can also be performed. Small samples of a breast lump will be removed in order to detect whether or not the lump is cancerous.

Treatment can involve a lumpectomy, or the removal or the tumor. If the cancer is detected early, the lump can be entirely removed. In more serious cases, a mastectomy, or removal of the entire breast, is performed. Radiation and chemotherapy help to eradicate the growth of new cancer cells. The effects of cancer can include depression, nausea and vomiting, and hair loss. It is important to talk with your child to help them understand what you are going through. This will help them cope with your condition, as well as make them feel involved with your recovery, rather than secluded from it.

Breast cancer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_cancer
Breast cancer is a type of cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk.
Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool
www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool
An interactive tool designed by scientists at the National Cancer Institute and the NSABP to estimate a woman's risk of developing invasive breast cancer.
Information, Awareness & Donations - National Breast Cancer
www.nationalbreastcancer.org
The National Breast Cancer Foundation's mission is to save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer through education and by providing mammograms for
Breast Healing & Health Information - Reversing cancer, lumps ...
www.breasthealing.info
Recovery from breast cancer, lumps, fibroids, and tumors naturally without invasive treatments
Breastcancer.org - Breast Cancer Information and Awareness
www.breastcancer.org
Breastcancer.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most reliable, complete, and up-to-date information about breast cancer.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month NBCAM.org
nbcam.org
Visit the sites listed here to learn more about breast cancer, breast health, and the latest research developments.
American Cancer Society Information and Resources for Cancer ...
www.cancer.orgDonate Employment Opportunities Contact Us
American Cancer Society. The official sponsor of birthdays. Get information on cancer, how to stay healthy, find support and treatment, explore research, get involved ...
Breast Cancer Home Page - National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast
Information about breast cancer treatment, prevention, genetics, causes, screening, clinical trials, research and statistics from the National Cancer Institute.
Breast Cancer Care Information and support for anyone
www.breastcancercare.org.uk
Breast Cancer Care provides information and support for everyone affected by breast cancer. Find information, get support on our forums, donate and much more.
Breast Cancer Research Charity Breast Cancer Campaign
www.breastcancercampaign.org
Find out about the leading breast cancer research charity in the UK & Ireland, researching treatments, causes and prevention of breast cancer.
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer: The More of Us Who Walk, The
www.avonwalk.orgNew York Boston Chicago Santa Barbara Houston
Join the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Together, we will unite with one purpose and one goal - to end breast cancer. Register for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer today!
Breastcancer.org Discussion Boards - Breast Cancer Discussion
community.breastcancer.org
Breast Cancer Discussion Forums - Access the shared knowledge of thousands of people affected by breast cancer
Cancer news, articles and information: - Natural health news
www.naturalnews.com/cancer.html
Michael Douglas may be a cunning linguist, but his cancer explanations still make no sense 6/6/2013 - With his recent declaration that he "got cancer" by performing ...
American Society of Clinical Oncology - Cancer.Net Oncologist ...
www.cancer.net
Patient information from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Includes cancer types, treatments, survivorship, advocacy, resources, podcasts, and news.
Cancer, Support Groups, Patients, Caregivers, Healthcare ...
www.cancercare.org
Free online Cancer Support Groups and Resources for cancer patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals from CancerCare
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
cbcf.org
Learn more about breast cancer, get involved in upcoming events, volunteer or read more about our work towards creating a future without breast cancer
Cancer Health Center - WebMD - Better information. Better health.
www.webmd.com WebMD Home
Start here for information on common types of cancer, including breast, lung, colon, skin, prostate, and ovarian cancer. Get the facts on cancer symptoms, treatments ...
Cancer Facts and Statistics American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org Explore Research
The American Cancer Society provides the most current trends in cancer occurrence and survival, as well as information on symptoms, prevention, early detection, and ...
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization - ABCD - After Breast ...
www.abcdbreastcancersupport.org/2012/10/abcd-mentors-former-y-me...
Commitment of ABCD Mentors & Y-ME Peer Alumnae Means Rapidly Expanding Helpline Hours. ABCDs Helpline, which provides One-to-One personal support from trained ...
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
bcrfcure.org
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is an independent not-for-profit organization whose mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our ...
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer American Cancer
makingstrides.acsevents.org
Let's Finish the Fight! Sign up to participate in a breast cancer walk today and let's finish the fight against breast cancer that the American Cancer Society started ...
Our Feel-Good War on Breast Cancer - NYTimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2013/04/28/magazine/our-feel-good-war-on-breast...
Apr 25, 2013 The battle to raise awareness has been won. So why arent more lives being saved?
Fight -Breast Cancer- and provide -Mammograms- with a free click!
www.thebreastcancersite.com
Sign a Petition: Help Change the World; Paycheck Fairness For Women Women are still fighting for equal pay for the work they do as well as men. Let's close the gender ...
Rethink Breast Cancer presents: Your Man Reminder - YouTube
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Let this hot guy show you how to give your breasts some TLC. Download the app for free today. For more info, visit http://www.rethinkbreastcancer.com For ...