Cancer Types Breast Cancer Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the U.S. today. At CoxHealth, we're dedicated to women's health and we're committed to bringing the latest cancer treatment technologies to the Ozarks. We offer the most advanced, state-of-the-art equipment for the treatment of breast cancer. We provide advanced radiation therapy focused on convenience, shorter treatment time, fewer side effects and preserving more breast tissue than traditional radiation therapy. One in seven women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, and the disease accounts for 32 percent of all cancers that occur in women. Yet approximately 80 percent of all breast lumps are NOT breast cancer. Fewer than 1 percent of all breast cancers occur in men, and the majority of women who develop breast cancer have NO significant risk factors. Following recommended screening guidelines and understanding common risk factors are the best ways to protect your health. Fibrocystic Breast ConditionFibrocystic Breast Condition may also be called fibrocystic disease, cystic disease, or chronic cystic mastitis. Fibrocystic changes are NOT cancer. These changes are related to the way the tissue of your breast responds to the estrogen and progesterone hormones in your body. Your milk glands and milk ducts respond to these hormones by becoming larger and retaining fluid. This fluid can become trapped and the pockets that develop are called cysts.Stereotactic Breast BiopsyStereotactic Breast Biopsy is a less invasive method of obtaining the tissue needed to diagnose breast disease. After a local anesthetic is placed in your breast, a small (1/4 inch) incision is made in the skin. Using digital image guidance, several small samples of tissue are removed from your breast with a thin needle. These tissue samples are used by the pathologist to evaluate breast changes.Ultrasound core biopsy is another minimally invasive method of obtaining the tissue needed to diagnose breast disease. After a local anesthetic is placed in your breast, a small (1/4 inch) incision is made in the skin. Using ultrasound image guidance, several small samples of tissue are removed from the breast with a thin needle. These tissue samples are used by the pathologist to evaluate breast changes. Risk Factors Although 75 percent of women who develop breast cancer have no significant risk factors, there are things that may increase your risk. Getting older Your family history (you are two to three times more likely to develop breast cancer if your mother or sister has had breast cancer) Previous breast cancer Your diet (you are more likely to develop breast cancer if you are more than 20 percent above your ideal weight and a diet high in fat has been linked to increased risk) Your national origin (breast cancer occurs more often in women of North American and Northern European origin) A long menstrual history (early onset and late menopause) A late pregnancy, or never being pregnant (breast cancer occurs more often in women who have never been pregnant or whose first pregnancy occurred after the age of 30) NOTE: Factors that DO NOT seem to increase risk include injury to the breast, sexual stimulation and breastfeeding. Treatment Options Radiation Therapy Radiation therapy is one way to destroy cancer cells. Learn More about Radiation Therapy Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is treatment with powerful medicine. Chemotherapy drugs can treat cancers that have spread throughout your body. Learn More about Chemotherapy Surgery In some cases, surgery may be a good option for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Learn More about Surgery Brachytherapy Brachytherapy uses small implants to attack tumors from inside the body. Learn More about Brachytherapy