Medical questions and answers

Breast cancer is a transformation of normal breast cells which can turn malignant. Although far less common than in women, it is possible for men to develop breast cancer, too.

Despite great scientific efforts to gain better understanding and find factors that are responsible for DNA transformation in the normal cell that results in its conversion into the cancer cell, we do not yet know exactly what causes breast cancer.

For now, there is no certain way to prevent breast cancer. However, any woman should be aware of risk factors, adopt regular screening behaviors, self-examination in particular, and have regular breast ultrasound and mammograms.

The primary risk factors for developing breast cancer include female sex and advanced age, then early age at menarche and late age at menopause (after age 55). The risk increases with a positive family history (mother, sister or a close relative diagnosed with breast cancer) and the fact that the woman has had no children or had her first child after age of 35.

• Palpable lump
• Breast nipple discharge
• Red or painful nipple
• Nipple retraction (where the nipple changes from protruding and being pushed-out to being pushed-in)
• Having any of the above listed symptoms does not necessarily mean that there is breast cancer; they are only reasons why the woman should get a medical examination

It is best to begin around the age of 20.

In younger women, the breasts are composed primarily of glandular tissue that is visualized on a mammogram as a dense field, and makes tumor detection rather difficult. With age, glandular tissue transforms to fatty tissue that is visualized on a mammogram as less dense, and therefore makes detection of any breast changes more easy.

HPV is a virus that is recognized as a risk factor for developing cervical cancer. More than 70 types of the virus have been identified, 13 of them being high-risk viruses for developing cancer. In the majority of cases, the immune system will respond and suppress or eliminate the virus. Most of the women with HPV infection will not develop cancer, but if the infection persists for years, the chance for cell changes that may result in cancer is increased.

In the majority of cases, HPV is not dangerous and usually causes no symptoms at all. In some cases, however, this viral infection causes cell changes detectable by Pap smear. If many years have elapsed before treatment is started, the chance that a normal cell has transformed into a premalignant one is increased. Low-risk HPVs, or the types not causing carcinoma can appear in the form of condiloma. The signs of a HPV infection may appear weeks, months or years after initial infection. Young girls who become infected in their teens may present without any symptoms or any cervical cell changes until their 30ies or 40ies, or even never develop any abnormal cell changes.

Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV. It has been estimated that 75% of the people will come into contact with the virus at some time in their lives. Only rarely, the infection may cause cervical cancer.

Yes. DNA typing detects the presence of all of the 13 most common HPV types causing malignant cell transformation.

Although there is no treatment for the virus itself, there are ways to treat conditions associated with the virus. A consultation with the physician is required.