MNT Toolbox: Breast Cancer

  Overview : Cancer involves the abnormal division and reproduction of cells that can spread throughout the body. Annually in the United States, cancer is responsible for almost one in four deaths. It is estimated that one-third of the more than 580,000 anticipated cancer deaths can be attributed to nutrition and lifestyle behaviors such as poor diet, physical inactivity, alcohol use, and overweight and obesity. 1 Breast cancer is a group of diseases in which cells in breast tissue change and divide uncontrolled, typically resulting in a lump or mass. Most breast cancers begin in the lobules (milk glands) or in the ducts that connect the lobules to the nipple.  Breast cancer usually has no symptoms when the tumor is small and most easily treated, making early screening very important for early detection. The most common physical sign is a painless lump. Sometimes breast cancer spreads to underarm lymph nodes and causes a lump or swelling, even before the original breast tumor is large