All About Breast Cancer – Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

What is Breast Cancer? 

Breast cancer results from the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells in the breast tissue. These proliferating cells form a tumor in the breast, which can be felt as a lump. There are several types of breast cancer, but the most common is ductal carcinoma, which develops in the milk ducts (the passages that carry milk to the nipples). A small percentage of breast cancers develop in the lobules (small glands that produce milk) and are referred to as lobular carcinoma.

Ductal and lobular cancers are further classified based on whether the cancer cells have spread to other areas of the body. Non-invasive or in situ cancer occurs when breast cancer cells remain within the milk ducts or lobules. Invasive or infiltrating cancer occurs when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body or grown into the surrounding tissue. Invasive ductal carcinomas account for approximately 80% of all breast cancers. 

What Causes Breast Cancer? 

The exact cause of breast cancer is unknown, but it is most likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some women who have many of the risk factors for breast cancer never develop the disease, while others who have none of the risk factors may die from it. 

There appears to be an association between breast cancer and the hormone estrogen. The more estrogen a woman may be exposed to, the higher her risk of developing breast cancer at some point. 

Researchers are looking into events in a woman’s life, such as her age at first and last menstruation, her age at childbirth, and whether she breastfed or used hormone therapy because all of these factors affect estrogen levels in the body. 

Doctors currently believe that a woman’s age and family history of breast cancer are the two most important risk factors. A woman with a blood relative who had breast cancer is two to three times more likely to develop the disease herself, and women over the age of 60 are at a higher risk than younger women. 

What are The Risk Factors For Breast Cancer? 

Some risk factors for breast cancer can be controlled, while others cannot. 

Risk factors include: 

• Gender: Women are much more likely to develop breast cancer than men. 
• Age: Older women are at a higher risk than younger women. 
• Breast cancer family history: If a blood relative, such as a mother or sister, has had breast cancer, the chances of other women in the family developing the disease increase. 
• Inherited genes: Some women carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which raise their risk of breast cancer. 
• Personal history of breast cancer: If a woman has previously had breast cancer, she may develop it again in the other breast. 
• Obesity: Obese and overweight women are more likely to develop breast cancer. 
• Excessive alcohol consumption may raise the risk of breast cancer. 
• Estrogen-containing medications: Women who undergo hormone therapy after menopause, as well as many women who use estrogen-containing oral contraceptives, are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Ask your doctor before starting any estrogen-containing medication. 
• Age at menstruation, menopause, and childbirth: Menstruating at a young age has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, as has starting menopause at a later age. Women who give birth for the first time after the age of 35 may be particularly vulnerable. 

How are Breast Cancers Detected? 

Breast cancer can develop over time without causing any visible symptoms. As the cancer progresses, the following symptoms may appear: 

• A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm 
• Changes in breast size or shape. 
• Tenderness or discharge from the nipple. 
• A change in the color or texture of breast or nipple skin (such as dimpling, puckering, scaliness, or new creases). 
• A scaly, thickened, or inward-turning nipple 

If you notice any of these symptoms, see your doctor. Your doctor may then order a mammogram, also known as a breast X-ray. It is recommended that women over the age of 50 have a mammogram every two years; women who have many of the risk factors should consult their doctors about when to begin getting regular mammograms. Mammograms are commonly used to detect breast abnormalities, but doctors may also use breast ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or biopsies. 

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Check for signs of breast cancer. Watch this video and learn how to #Detect2Prevent. Remember, ‘Early detection saves lives’! 

How is Breast Cancer Treated? 

Breast cancers are classified into stages based on tumor size, and invasiveness, and spread through lymph nodes to other parts of the body. Stage 0 cancer is defined as a small, non-invasive tumor, whereas Stage IV cancer is the most advanced stage, indicating that the cancer has spread. To determine whether the cancer is invasive and has spread beyond the breast, a surgeon removes and examines one or more lymph nodes for cancer cells. The course of treatment is determined by the stage of breast cancer, the woman’s age, and her overall health. 

Treatment alternatives include: 

• A lumpectomy is the surgical removal of a tumor. 
• Partial mastectomy involves the removal of the tumor and some surrounding tissue. 
• Total mastectomy, or removal of the entire breast, leaving only the underarm lymph nodes 
• Modified radical mastectomy includes the removal of the entire breast, some of the underarm lymph nodes, and one of the smaller chest muscles. 
• Chemotherapy is a drug-based approach to destroying cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be administered before or after surgery. 
• Radiation kills cancerous cells by sending energy beams into them. 
• Hormonal therapy may be used to treat estrogen and progesterone-sensitive breast cancers. Tests can reveal whether the cells will respond to hormones. 
• Targeted drugs, including Avastin and Herceptin 

After a terrifying diagnosis and arduous treatment, it can be discouraging to learn that you must still be on the lookout for a recurrence of cancer. Still, the odds are in your favor: 70% of women survive more than five years after their initial diagnosis, and half survive more than ten years.