Self-Exam Chapter 18. Each year, there are approximately 185,000 new cases of breast cancer and 45,000 deaths from it. Only lung cancer causes more cancer deaths among women. Men can also develop breast cancer, but it is very unusual. About 300 men die each year from the disease.
Breast cancer results from malignant tumors which invade and destroy normal tissue.
When these tumors break away and spread to other parts of the body, it is called metastasis. Breast cancers can spread to the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, bone and brain. Increase in age is the number one risk factor for breast cancer. Family history of breast cancer for a woman whose mother, daughter, or sister has had the disease. If a lump or other problem is found, the doctor can do further exams and tests to check for cancer.