Breast Cancer Sourcebook, Seventh Edition

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancer in women in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 264,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and about 2,400 in men each year in the the United States. Although breast cancer still claims the lives of nearly 42,000 women and 500 men annually, there has been progress in the battle against it. Thanks to treatment advances, earlier detection, screening techniques, and increased awareness of symptoms, the number of deaths attributable to breast cancer each year has declined over time.

Breast Cancer Sourcebook, Seventh Edition provides updated information about breast cancer and its causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment. Readers will learn about the types of breast cancer, including ductal carcinoma in situ, lobular carcinoma in situ, invasive carcinoma, and inflammatory breast cancer, as well as common breast-cancer treatment complications such as pain, fatigue, lymphedema, hair loss, and sexuality and fertility issues. Information on preventive therapies, nutrition and exercise recommendations, and tips on living with breast cancer are also included, along with a glossary of related terms and a directory of organizations that offer additional information to breast-cancer patients and their families.

Part 1: Introduction to Breast Cancer identifies the parts of the breasts and lymphatic system, discusses common changes in the breast that pose no threat to health, and offers general information about breast cancer in women and men. It also offers statistical information on the prevalence of breast cancer in the United States. 

Part 2: Types of Breast Cancer identifies the most common types of breast cancer, including ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), invasive carcinoma of the breast, inflammatory breast cancer, Paget disease of the nipple, triple-negative breast cancer, and other rare types of breast cancers. 

Part 3: Risk Factors and Prevention of Breast Cancer provides information about hereditary and nonhereditary factors that increase the risk of developing breast cancer, including age, family health history, exposure to radiation, alcohol consumption, use of hormone replacement therapy, reproductive risk factors, and obesity. Genetic counseling for breast cancer risk and the importance of breastfeeding are discussed, along with information about preventing breast cancer in people who are susceptible.

Part 4: Screening, Diagnosis, and Stages of Breast Cancer identifies tests and procedures used to screen, diagnose, and stage breast cancer, including breast examinations, mammograms, and breast biopsies. It also provides information on understanding laboratory tests and breast pathology reports. 

Part 5: Breast Cancer Treatments discusses finding a treatment facility or doctor and offers information about considerations to make before undergoing breast-cancer treatment. Surgical treatments for breast cancer, such as mastectomy, lumpectomy, and breast reconstruction, are discussed, and facts about chemotherapy, hormone therapy, biologic therapies, and complementary and alternative medicine treatments for breast cancer are provided. The part also discusses breast cancer treatment in pregnant women, men, and patients with recurrent breast cancer.

Part 6: Managing Side Effects and Complications of Breast Cancer Treatment describes anemia, delirium, fatigue, hot flashes and night sweats, infection, lymphedema, pain, sexual and fertility issues, and hair loss associated with breast cancer treatment. Information about complementary and alternative therapies that may relieve physical discomfort or emotional anxiety is also provided. 

Part 7: Living with Breast Cancer discusses strategies for coping with the difficult emotions produced by a breast-cancer diagnosis and offers information about talking to family members and friends about cancer. In addition, the part provides nutrition and exercise recommendations after cancer treatment, tips for dealing with cancer in the workplace, and information and suggestions for caregivers of breast cancer patients.

Part 8: Additional Help and Information provides a glossary of important terms related to breast cancer and directory of organizations that offer financial assistance to people with breast cancer and a directory that offers other information about breast cancer.