Breast cancer is a condition where cells in the breast begin to grow abnormally and uncontrollably. This uncontrolled growth can form a tumor, which may be felt as a lump. It represents a significant health concern globally, affecting millions of individuals each year.
Understanding Breast Cancer
Breast cancer typically originates in cells lining the milk ducts or lobules (milk-producing glands), where they begin to grow abnormally and uncontrollably. The most frequently diagnosed form is Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC), accounting for about 80% of all breast cancers. This type starts in the milk ducts and then spreads into the surrounding breast tissue.
Another common type is Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS), sometimes referred to as Stage 0 breast cancer. In DCIS, the abnormal cells are confined to the milk ducts and have not yet invaded the surrounding healthy tissue. While DCIS is considered non-invasive, it can progress to invasive cancer if left untreated.
Recognizing Potential Signs and Risk Factors
Recognizing changes in your breasts is an important first step. A new lump or mass in the breast or underarm is a common sign. Other observable changes include swelling of all or part of the breast, skin irritation or dimpling (like an orange peel), or persistent pain in the breast or nipple area. Nipple changes, such as inversion, redness, scaling, or discharge other than breast milk, are also potential indicators.
Beyond these observable signs, several factors can increase an individual’s likelihood of developing breast cancer. Age (risk increases with age) and genetic mutations (BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes) are factors linked to higher inherited risk. A family history in a close relative (mother, sister, or daughter) also elevates risk. Dense breast tissue, which appears more opaque on mammograms, also increases risk. Lifestyle choices like regular alcohol consumption and obesity are also risk factors.
Screening and Diagnosis
Regular screening helps detect breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages. Mammography is the primary screening tool, using low-dose X-rays to create images of the breast tissue. For women at average risk, annual mammograms are often recommended starting at age 40 or 45. Clinical breast exams, performed by a healthcare professional, involve a physical examination of the breasts and underarms to check for any abnormalities.
If an abnormality is detected during screening, further diagnostic tests are performed. An ultrasound uses sound waves to differentiate between solid masses and fluid-filled cysts. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides detailed images, often used for high-risk individuals or to evaluate suspicious findings. A biopsy is the definitive diagnostic procedure, where a tissue sample is removed for microscopic examination. Once cancer is confirmed, staging determines the extent of the disease, categorized from Stage 0 (non-invasive) to Stage IV (metastatic).
Treatment Options
Breast cancer treatment is tailored to the specific type and stage of cancer, and the patient’s overall health. Local treatments focus on removing or destroying cancer in the breast and surrounding areas. Surgery is a common local treatment, ranging from a lumpectomy, which removes only the tumor and a small margin of surrounding tissue, to a mastectomy, which removes the entire breast. Radiation therapy is another local approach, using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells that may remain after surgery.
Systemic treatments target cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to destroy rapidly dividing cells. Hormone therapy, such as Tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, blocks hormones like estrogen that fuel certain breast cancer types. Targeted therapy drugs, like Herceptin for HER2-positive breast cancer, attack cancer cells based on their unique biological characteristics. Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells.