What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a kind of illness in which cancerous tissue grows in the breast tissues, either within the ducts or lobules. These cancerous cells that grow can also move to other parts of the body too or nearby tissues or lymph nodes, or via the bloodstream.  It is the most diagnosed cancer in females, and millions of new cases are reported annually. It is also diagnosed, though less so, in men.

Some early changes are easily noticeable, like changes in the nipple, dimpling on the skin, and discharge; however, most early cancers do not show any signs. As far as diagnosis is concerned, it normally consists of imaging tests (mammograms or ultrasound), biopsy to verify the presence of cancer, and staging tests to clarify the level of spread.

The type and stage also determine the type of treatment a breast cancer patient will adopt. It may entail surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapies, and other specific measures according to the nature of the cancer in a patient.

What Is Breast Cancer? An Overview 

Breast cancer is a type of disease in which the cells in the breast become abnormal and uncontrollable and develop a lump, which can either be localised or extend to other places in the body or even to other organs. 

The typical causes include ducts or lobules. It is found mainly in women (exclusively in rare cases in men). Lumps, changes in nipples, or dimpling of the skin may be experienced.

Early screening, such as mammograms, increases prognosis.

Causes Of Breast Cancer 

Here are some of the causes of breast cancer given below. Go through them one by one. 

1. Hereditary changes of genes such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 increase the lifetime risk dramatically.

2. Family history – you are at risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer when close relatives have it.

3. Advancing age- risk increases with age, particularly once women pass their 50s.

4. Thick breast tissue: Increased glandular/fibrous tissue is more risky and may hide the presence of a tumor on mammograms.

5. Early menstruation or late menopause. Longer exposure to lifetime hormones is associated with a slightly increased risk.

6. Not becoming pregnant or having a first child after the age of 30 years- are risk factor for breast cancer.

7. Hormone treatment- long-term combined estrogen and progesterone therapy can be risky.

8. After menopause, obesity or weight gain increases risk because it adds additional estrogen and insulin.

9. Consumption of alcohol, even a little bit, increases the risk of breast cancer.

10. Inactivity and smoking- Sedentary lifestyle and tobacco use are factors that increase the risk.

Breast Cancer Treatment 

Here are some of the therapies given below that are generally considered for breast cancer patients. Have a look at them one by one. 

1. Surgery- The cancerous tissue is removed through lumpectomy (breast-conserving) or mastectomy (complete removal), and in most cases can be accompanied by lymph node biopsy or reconstruction when necessary.

2. Radiation therapy – It employs a high intensity rate right after the surgery in order to kill the surviving cancer cells and also minimise the chances of recurrence. 

3. Chemotherapy – It is a drug therapy that is administered right before the surgery (neoadjuvant) so that the tumors can be reduced in size, or after the surgery to destroy the remaining cells of the tumor. Along with this, chemotherapy is also used to treat advanced or metastatic cancer in patients. 

4. Hormone (endocrine) therapy – Hormone receptor positive cancers; it prevents or reduces estrogen/progesterone to slow the growth of the tumor, and is usually taken many years following surgery.

5. Targeted therapy – In the targeted therapy, the drugs which are used to cure cancer attack the marker of a cancer (e.g, HER2) but do not affect the normal tissue. In this, the newer agents are approved for the advanced disease. 

Types of Breast Cancer

Here are some of the types of breast cancer given below. Pay attention to them one by one. 

1. Non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ (DICS)- It is considered a stage 0 of breast cancer. In this, the abnormal cells are produced in the milk ducts of the patients and cause issues.  

2. Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) – This is one of the major and common forms of breast cancer. It grows in the ducts and expands to the surrounding breast tissue, which is hazardous for the health of the patient. 

3. Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) – In this type of cancer, irregular cells form in lobules that do not spread into the tissues. It is considered a greater risk factor than the actual cancer. 

4. Lobular carcinoma – Irregular cells in lobules that have not spread into tissues; rather a risk factor than actual cancer.

5. Triple negative breast cancer – Aggressive type that does not have estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors; more difficult to cure.

6. HER2-positive breast cancer – It has additional HER2 protein, is more likely to grow rapidly, and responds to targeted treatment.

7. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) – This is a very rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. In this, the breast looks red and gets swollen without any presence of a lump. 

8. Breast Paget’s disease – It is considered a rare form of breast cancer that affects the skin of the nipple and areola. This type of cancer form may or may not be accompanied by the DCIS or IDC. 

9. Special and rare forms of breast cancer – These types of forms are considered subtypes, such as medullary, tubular, mucinous, phyllodes, papillary, and angiosarcoma. All these types have their own characteristics and are not good for the health of the human. 

10. Metastatic breast cancer (stage IV) – This is a kind of cancer that spreads outside of the breast and other parts of the body too which including bones, liver, lung, and brain. 

What is a Mammogram? 

The mammogram is an X-ray of the breast, of low dose, which aids in the detection of cancer at the early stages-even when it is years before you can feel the lump. In a screening, you are compressed between plates that are used to bring out clear images of your breast. It is an important instrument for saving lives due to early detection.

Stage 1 Breast Cancer 

When we talk about stage 1 breast cancer, it is found less than 2 cm (subtypes 1A and 1B) and is possible to treat it with the help of radiation, surgery, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy.  The five-year survival is almost 99-100 percent.

Stage 2 Breast Cancer 

Stage 2 breast cancer implies that a tumor is bigger (225 cm) and/or cancer is present in 13 lymph nodes near the tumor. Most have a good prognosis with survival in 5 years of 87-99 percent, depending on the size and the spread to lymph nodes.

Stage 3 breast cancer 

Stage 3 breast cancer is locally advanced, tumors are bigger (usually > 5 cm) or have spread into the skin, chest wall, or multiple adjacent lymph nodes (stage 3A 3C). Therapy usually encompasses chemotherapy (usually preoperative), surgery, radiation, and targeted or hormonal therapy. Five-year survival is about 70-80%, by subtype.

Stage 4 breast cancer

Stage 4 breast cancer is the most hazardous condition and a sign that the cancer has spread beyond the breast and has covered other organs, too. This includes (time bones, liver, lungs, and brain). This is a non-curable condition, but with some measures, the quality of life of the patient can be enhanced, symptoms can be reduced, and many more. It is all possible through targeted drugs, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. 

In a nutshell! 

It is very important to understand that breast cancer is not just a disease but a nightmare for the person who suffers from it. In this, the abnormal cells grow in the breast, which can be easily identified at an early stage with the help of screening. If the cancer is at the first stage, then it can be cured and the patient can be saved via radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormonal therapy only. So it is better to have a regular medical check-up and prioritize a healthy lifestyle to keep this hazardous disease out of the circle of life.