Breast cancer, like all cancers, initially developed because of the damage to the genetic material deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from a single cell. The human body consists of trillions of cells. In nuleus of each cell, we placed the DNA on the chromosomes. Each human cell has two sets of 23 chromosomes. Each set of derived / inherited from one parent. DNA strands were as long and spirals on these chromosomes. Different segments along the strands of DNA containing information for a variety of genes. Genes are the blueprint, the blueprint that provides the genetic instructions for growth, development, and behavior of each cell. Human DNA is estimated to contain approximately 50,000 to 100,000 genes. Most genes carry instructions for the types and amount of protein-protein, enzin-enzymes, and other elements produced by the cells. Genes also take care of sizes and shapes of the organs by controlling the division rate of cells in these organs. (During cell division, a cell makes a duplicate copy of the chromosomes and then divides into two cells). Several genes restrict cell division and tissue growth limit.
Damage to the strands of DNA can lead to mistakes coding genes, which in turn can cause diseases. When the genes that normally restrict the growth and division, cell division absent (not present) or defective, the cells that are affected can be split and multiplied without restraint. The cells that divide and multiply without restraint enlarge (forming a tumor) and can also attack the tissues and organs adjacent to it. These cells can be further split off and moved away from the body gets in a process called metastasis. The ability to multiply without restraint, the tendency to invade other organs, and the ability to metastasize to other parts of the body are the key characteristics of the cancers - those characteristics which are caused by DNA damage.
DNA damage that causes cancer can be obtained at birth (inherited) or may develop during adult life time. DNA damage is inherited is present in every cell of the body. On the other hand, DNA damage that develops when the adult is limited to the descendants (the products of cell division) of cells that are affected is single. Generally, DNA damage has inherited a greater tendency to cause cancer-cancers and cancers that occur in the early life of the DNA damage that develops in adult life time.
Research has shown that 5% -10% of breast cancers associated with mutations (defects) in two genes known as genes associated with breast cancer (BRCA), BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes function to prevent abnormal cell growth that can lead to cancer. Each cell in the body has two BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, one inherited from each parent. A woman who has received a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene is damaged from one parents and one healthy gene from the other parent is called a carrier (carrier) from a faulty BRCA gene. Although only one gene BRCA1 or BRCA2 are necessary to help prevent the healthy growth of cells that are cancerous, a healthy BRCA gene that remains is susceptible to damage during adult life time by factors such as environmental toxins, radiation, and chemical -Other chemicals such as free radicals. Therefore, a woman who contains a BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are damaged are at an increased risk of developing cancers of breast or ovarian. Women who carry the genes BRCA1 or damaged BRC2 also tend to develop these cancers early in life.
Genetic mutations are rare other is also associated with an increased risk of breast cancer progression, including mutations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene (tumor suppressor gene p53), CHEK-2 gene, and the ATM gene (ataxia-telangiectasia mutation).
Because DNA damage is inherited totaled only 5% -10% of breast cancers, the majority of breast cancers are caused by DNA damage that develops when adult life. Environmental factors that can cause DNA damage including free radicals, chemicals, radiation, and certain toxins. But even among individuals without DNA damage that causes cancer is inherited, the ease they were exposed to DNA damage, their ability to repair DNA damage, and their ability to destroy cells with DNA damage, apparently is genetically inherited. This is probably why the risk of cancer is higher among relatives of one level of breast cancer patients trap between families, which do not carry the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 tumor suppressor is damaged.
Some of these errors on the control mechanisms that normally allow accumulation of additional errors-section of other parts of the system. These mistakes can lead to silencing of genes (gene silencing) of genes that control critical or excessive activity of other genes that stimulate growth by activating the promoter sites adjacent to genes that are otherwise gen- normal gene.
Other elements such as estrogen (a female hormone) and certain fatty acids may also increase the risk of breast cancer by stimulating the growth and division of cells from breast tissue.
