Breast cancer is one of the most common type of cancer in women. It is a malignant tumor that approximately 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. The incredibly common nature of it has made it one of the most important cancers to research and attempt to cure.
Symptoms
Early symptoms of breast cancer are not easy to detect. Self-exams and mammograms are very important at detecting breast cancer at an early stage. Some breast cancers do not produce have any symptoms. There are different types of breast cancer including ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, lobular carcinoma in situ, mucinous carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, tubular carcinoma, inflammatory breast cancer, Paget's disease of the nipple, adenoid cystic carcinoma, papillary carcinoma and others.
Breast cancer is often detected if a woman notices a change in her breast. Breast cancer may cause the following symptoms:
- A small lump or mass in the breast or the underarm
- Nipple discharge
- Redness around the nipple
- Pain or tenderness in the breast area
- Changes in texture
- Puckering
- Dimpling
- Swelling
- Scaling
- Nipple inverting or changing
Causes
The cause of breast cancer is unknown. There are many risk factors that may increase the odds of developing breast cancer including family history and certain inherited genes including BRCA1 and BRCA2. Other factors that may increase a person’s risk of developing breast cancer include being female, exposure to radiation, early onset of menopause, hormone therapy, obesity and alcohol abuse.
Diagnosis
Breast cancer is usually diagnosed through screenings and tests including:
- Physical breast examination
- The doctor will physically exam the breasts and look for any issues including lumps or bumps.
- The doctor will also examine the surrounding lymph nodes.
- Mammogram
- X-rays of the breasts are done to check for changes and abnormalities.
- Ultrasound
- An ultrasound is performed to determine if the abnormality is solid or is filled with fluid.
- Biopsy
- A tissue sample from the best is removed and tested for cancerous cells.
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- Magnetic resonance imaging uses magnetic and radio waves to help measure the size of the cancer and look for other tumors in the breasts.
Treatment
The treatment for breast cancer depends on the type of cancer, the stage the cancer is at and the person’s overall health. Common treatment options for breast cancer include:
- Surgery
- Lumpectomy
- Removal of the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue
- Mastectomy
- Removal of the entire breast
- Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy
- Removal of both breasts
- Axillary lymph node dissection
- Removal of certain lymph nodes
- Lumpectomy
- Radiation therapy
- Energy beams are used to destroy cancer cells
- Chemotherapy
- Certain medications are used to destroy cancer cells
- Hormone therapy
- Certain medications may be used to block hormones or to stop the body from producing estrogen
- Medications
- Targeted medications are used to destroy abnormal cells
It is important to perform routine self-examinations on your breasts to get to know them so that you will be able to detect any changes or abnormalities. If you notice any changes or experience any symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to perform further tests to determine the cause of your symptoms. If you are over the age of 40, you should start having annual breast cancer screenings including mammograms.