After skin cancer, breast cancer is the second most frequent malignancy among women. Breast cancer can be identify early, possibly before it spreads, using mammograms. Learn more about breast cancer prevention, screening, treatment, statistics, research, clinical trials, and other topics by clicking on the links on this page.
Breast cancer is a disease that causes malignant (cancer) cells to develop in the breast tissues:
The breast consists of lobes and ducts. Each breast is divide into 15 to 20 lobes. Each lobe is divided into many smaller portions known as lobules. Lobules terminate in dozens of small bulbs capable of producing milk. Thin tubes called ducts connect the lobes, lobules, and bulbs.
Each breast contains blood and lymph vessels. Vessels transport an almost colourless, watery fluid called lymph. Lymph veins transport lymph from lymph nodes to lymph nodes.
Lymph nodes are little bean-shaped structures that can be found all over the body. They filter lymph and store white blood cells, which aid in the fight against infection and sickness. Near the breast, lymph nodes are present in the axilla (under the arm), above the collarbone, and in the chest.
The most prevalent type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which starts in the ductal cells. Lobular carcinoma is a kind of breast cancer that develops in the lobes or lobules and is more commonly detected in both breasts than other types of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare type of breast cancer that causes the breast to become heated, red, and swollen.
Inherited gene mutations can cause breast cancer (changes):
The genes in cells carry the genetic information passed down from one’s parents. Hereditary breast cancer accounts for 5% to 10% of all cases of breast cancer. Some breast cancer-related mutant genes are more common in certain ethnic groups.
Women who have particular gene mutations, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, are more likely to develop breast cancer. These women are also at a higher risk of ovarian cancer and may be at a higher risk of other cancers. Men who have a faulty gene linked to breast cancer are at a higher risk of developing the disease. See Male Breast Cancer Treatment for further details.
There are assays available to detect (locate) mutated genes. These genetic testing are sometimes performed on individuals of cancer-prone families. More information can be found at Genetics of Breast and Gynecologic Cancers.
Breast cancer is diagnosed through tests that check the breasts:
If you detect any changes in your breasts, consult your doctor. The following tests and procedures are possible:
Physical examination and medical history: An examination of the body to check for general symptoms of health, such as tumours or anything else that appears peculiar. A history of the patient’s health habits, as well as previous diseases and treatments.
Clinical breast examination (CBE): A doctor or other health practitioner examines the breast. The doctor will feel the breasts and under the arms carefully for lumps or anything else that appears strange.
A mammogram is a breast x-ray.
Breast Cancer Prevention:
Breast Cancer prevention is any measure performing to reduce the likelihood of developing cancer. Cancer prevention reduces the number of new cases of cancer in a group or population. Hopefully, this will minimise the burden of cancer and the number of cancer-related deaths.
Cancer is a set of diseases that are related to one another. Our genes, lifestyle and the environment we live in all contribute to our chance of developing cancer. Each person’s cancer risk is determined by a unique combination of these factors.
A cancer risk factor is anything that raises your chances of acquiring cancer; a cancer protective factor is anything that decreases your chances of developing cancer.
Some cancer risk factors can prevent, while many cannot. Smoking and inheriting certain genes, for example, are both risk factors for certain types of cancer, but only smoking can avoid. Regular exercise and a balanced diet may protect against certain types of cancer. Avoiding risk factors and strengthening preventive variables may reduce your risk, but it does not eliminate the possibility of developing cancer.
Various cancer prevention methods are being research, including:
- Changing one’s lifestyle or food habits.
- Avoiding things that are known to cause cancer.
- Taking medication to treat a precancerous condition or prevent cancer from developing.
- Risk-reduction surgery
- Early, localised, or operable breast cancer treatment
- See the Treatment Option Overview section for further information on the treatments indicated below.
Early, confined, or operable breast cancer treatment may include the following:
Surgery
Sentinel lymph node biopsy and breast-conserving surgery A lymph node dissection can perform if malignancy is discover in the lymph nodes.
Radical mastectomy with modifications. Breast reconstruction surgery is also an option.
Radiation therapy after surgery:
Radiation therapy is given to the entire breast to women who have had breast-conserving surgery to reduce the chances of the cancer returning. Lymph nodes in the area may also be treated with radiation therapy.
If any of the following conditions apply to a woman who has had a modify radical mastectomy, radiation therapy is administer to reduce the likelihood that cancer will recur:
Cancer was discover in four or more lymph nodes:
Cancer had progressed to the tissue around the lymph nodes.
The tumour was quite huge:
There is a tumour around or in the tissue along the borders of the area where the tumour was excise.
Hormone replacement treatment:
Hormone therapy is a cancer treatment that eliminates or inhibits the function of hormones, preventing cancer cells from proliferating. Hormones are bodily chemicals produce by glands and circulating in the bloodstream.
Certain hormones can promote the growth of certain malignancies. If tests reveal that the cancer cells have locations where hormones can attach (receptors), medications, surgery, or radiation therapy are utilise to limit hormone production or impede hormone function.
The hormone oestrogen, which causes some breast tumours to proliferate, is mostly producing by the ovaries. Ovarian ablation is a treatment that prevents the ovaries from producing oestrogen.
Some postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer are given hormone treatment with an aromatase inhibitor. Breast Cancer Pills reduce oestrogen levels in the body by preventing an enzyme called aromatase from converting testosterone into oestrogen. Aromatase inhibitors include Arimidex Pill.