About Breast Cancer: Get the Facts

What Is Breast Cancer?

As you may have learned from the about cancer page, cancer occurs when abnormal cells divide uncontrollably. When this happens, a tumor may form. Breast cancer occurs when a tumor forms inside the breast.

Sometimes the cancer can spread, or metastasize , outside of the breast and into other body parts. If breast cancer spreads, it commonly spreads to the lymph nodes , bones, lung, brain and/or liver.

There are different types of breast cancers. Most types of breast cancer originate in the milk ducts . These are called ductal carcinomas . Some types of breast cancer originate in the breast lobules . These are called lobular carcinomas.

Breast cancer is considered noninvasive , or in situ , when it stays inside the ducts DCIS or lobules LCIS. If the cancer grows into surrounding breast tissue or spreads to other areas of the body, it is considered invasive .

Breast Cancer Statistics and Facts

According to the American Cancer Society:

  • Next to skin cancer, "breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, accounting for nearly 1 in 3 cancers diagnosed in U.S. women."
  • In 2005, approximately 211,000 new invasive breast cancer cases were expected to occur, and approximately 40,000 women were expected to die from breast cancer
  • The risk of breast cancer and death due to breast cancer increases with age; from 1998-2002, "95% of new cases and 97% of breast cancer deaths occurred in women aged 40 and older."

What causes breast cancer is unknown. However, there may be factors that may put people at an increased risk for breast cancer. Learn more about breast cancer:



IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Taxotere® treatment can cause serious, physically limiting, and potentially life-threatening side effects, such as infection, low blood-cell counts, allergic reaction, and retention of excess fluid (edema).

Taxotere® should not be given to patients with low white–blood-cell counts, abnormal liver function, or a history of allergic reactions to Taxotere® or any of the ingredients in Taxotere®.

Before each Taxotere® treatment, all patients treated with Taxotere® must receive another medicine called dexamethasone. This drug can help reduce the risk of fluid retention (edema) and allergic reactions.

Taxotere® should be administered only under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of anticancer treatments. Appropriate management of complications is possible only when adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities are readily available.

Treatment-related acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplasia has occurred in patients given anthracyclines and/or cyclophosphamide, including use with Taxotere® in adjuvant therapy for breast cancer.

The most common severe side effects are low white–blood-cell count, anemia, fatigue, diarrhea, and mouth and throat irritation. Low white–blood-cell count can lead to life-threatening infections. The earliest sign of infection may be fever, so tell your doctor right away if you have a fever.

Other common side effects from Taxotere® include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, rash, infusion-site reactions, odd sensations (such as numbness, tingling, or burning) or weakness in the hands and feet, nail changes, muscle and/or bone pain, or excessive tearing.

Because of the potential risk of fetal harm, pregnant women should not receive Taxotere®. Women of childbearing potential should avoid becoming pregnant during treatment with Taxotere®.

Before receiving Taxotere®, tell your doctor if

  • You have any allergies
  • You are taking any other medicines — including nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements

When taking Taxotere®, contact your doctor if

  • You have symptoms of an allergic reaction (warm sensation, tightness in your chest, itching/hives, or shortness of breath)
  • You experience any other side effects

Please see accompanying full prescribing information, including boxed WARNING.

Click here for information on drug anti-counterfeiting.

Taxotere® (docetaxel) Injection Concentrate Indications

Breast Cancer
TAXOTERE® is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy
TAXOTERE® in combination with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with operable node-positive breast cancer

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
TAXOTERE®, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of prior platinum-based chemotherapy
TAXOTERE® in combination with cisplatin is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who have not previously received chemotherapy for this condition.

Prostate Cancer
TAXOTERE® in combination with prednisone is indicated for the treatment of patients with androgen independent (hormone refractory) metastatic prostate cancer.

Gastric Cancer
TAXOTERE® in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma, including adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction, who have not received prior chemotherapy for advanced disease.

Head and Neck Cancer
TAXOTERE® in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil is indicated for the induction treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).