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BREAST CANCER
Questions and Answers About BREAST CANCER
8. Can men have breast cancer?
9. What are the risk factors for male breast cancer?
10. Should men have yearly mammograms?
11. What doctors treat breast cancer at UAMS Medical Center?
Making an Appointment
at UAMS Medical Center
To make an appointment, call 1-501-686-8000.
1. What
is breast cancer?
Every organ in the body is made up of cells. Normally, cells divide in an orderly fashion
to replace old and dead cells. This is a regulated process. Occasionally, damage to DNA
during cell division may lead to malfunction of the regulators. Then cells begin to divide
uncontrollably, forming lumps or cancers.
2. What is the recommended age for breast cancer
screening?
The current recommendations are:
3. Who is at
risk for getting breast cancer?
All women are at risk for breast cancer. The main risk factors for developing breast
cancer are:
4. Does taking
estrogen supplements cause breast cancer?
Hormonal therapy does not cause breast cancer but the risk is slightly increased with
prolonged use. However, the risk:benefit ratio needs to be determined on an individual
basis.
5. Does breast
pain mean cancer?
Usually not. Breast pain usually results from excess caffeine or chocolate intake.
However, focal tenderness will need to evaluated by your physician.
6. Does
nipple discharge increase risk for breast cancer?
It depends on the type of discharge. Clear, yellow or greenish discharge is usually not
worrisome, however, unilateral or bilateral bloody nipple discharge needs further
evaluation.
7. Does a
negative mammogram mean I don't have breast cancer?
No. Mammography has a false negative rate of ~ 10-30% i/e., the inability of the test to
detect cancer. Biopsy should be performed for all palpable lesions. Mammography cannot be
used to exclude breast cancer.
8. Can men have
breast cancer?
Yes, 1000 cases are diagnosed in the U.S per year. There is a higher incidence among
blacks. The mean age of occurrence is 60 years.
9. What are the
risk factors for male breast cancer?
Male breast cancer is hormone-sensitive. Some researchers feel that male breast cancer may
result from increased endogenous estrogen. One of the strongest risk factors is
Klinefelter's syndrome- a condition resulting from the inheritance of an extra X
chromosome.
10. Should men
have yearly mammograms?
No. Male breasts are usually too small therefore the diagnostic yield is very low.
However, if a mass is palpable they must have a physician evaluate it in addition to an
ultrasound and mammogram with biopsy.
11. What doctors treat breast cancer at UAMS Medical Center?
The following doctors are board certified oncologists who have
additional training in breast cancer. To find a complete bio, click on their name
below or the "Find a
Doctor" link and type in their last name.
V.
Suzanne Klimberg, M.D.
Director, Division of Breast Surgical Oncology
Director, Breast Cancer Program, ACRC
Professor of Surgery and Pathology
Ronda
S. Henry-Tillman, MD
Medical Director, Women's Oncology Clinic
Associate Professor of Surgery
Anne
T. Mancino, MD
Associate Professor of Surgery
Kent
C. Westbrook, MD
Interim Chairman, Department of Surgery
Professor of Surgery
Laura
F. Hutchins, M.D.
Director, Division of Hematology and Oncology
Professor of Medicine
Anne
Marie Maddox, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
Making an Appointment at
UAMS Medical Center
To make a clinic appointment, call 1-501-686-5669 or 1-888-703-2272 or
call our Appointments Line at 1-501-686-8000.
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