Breast Cancer – Its Causes, Signs, Diagnosis and Prevention

What is breast cancer?

Cancer occurs when changes called mutations occur in genes that are responsible for regulating cell growth. Mutations compel cells to divide and multiply in an uncontrolled way.

Breast cancer is one of types of cancer that grows in breast cells. Usually, cancer forms in either the lobules or ducts of the breast.

The lobules are the glands that produce milk, and the ducts are the pathways that transport milk from the glands to the nipple. Cancer can also develop in fatty tissue or fibrous connective tissue within your breast.

Uncontrolled cancer cells frequently invade other healthy breast tissue and can tour to the lymph nodes underneath the arms. Lymph nodes are the primary route that helps cancer cells spread to other parts of the body.

Symptoms of breast cancer

In the initial stages, breast cancer may not possess any symptoms. In many cases, a tumor may be too small to be felt, but the abnormality can still be seen on a mammogram.

If the tumor can be felt, the first symptom is usually a new lump in the breast that wasn't there before. However, not all lumps are cancerous.

Each type of breast cancer can cause different symptoms. Many of these signs are identical, but some may be different. Common breast cancer symptoms include:

A breast lump or thickening of tissue that feels different from the surrounding tissue and has developed recently.

Red, raised skin all over your breast.

Swelling in whole or some portion of your breast.

Nipple discharge other than breast milk.

Bloody discharge from your nipple.

Peeling, scaling, or flaking of the skin on whole or a part of your nipple or breast.

A sudden, unexpected variation in the shape or size of your breast.

Inverted nipple.

Changes in the outlook of the skin on your breasts.

A lump or swelling under your arm

If you experience some of these signs, it doesn't necessarily mean you are suffering from breast cancer. For example, pain in your breast or a breast lump may be caused by a benign cyst.

Still, if you notice a lump in your breast or have other symptoms, you should see your doctor for further examination and testing.

Types of breast cancer

There are many different kinds of breast cancer, inclusive of:

Ductal carcinoma: It starts in the milk duct and is the most common type.

Lobular carcinoma: It starts in the lobules.

Invasive breast cancer occurs when cancer cells break through the lobules or ducts and invade nearby tissue. This increases the chances of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body.

Non-invasive breast cancer occurs when the cancer remains within its original site and has not yet spread. However, these cells can sometimes develop to invasive breast cancer.

Stages of breast cancer

A doctor determines the stage of cancer based on the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

There are different ways to prevent breast cancer. A pathway is from stages 0–4, with each numbered stage having sub-divided categories. The four main stages are detailed below, although the specific substage of cancer may also depend on other specific characteristics of the tumor, such as HER2 receptor status.

Stage 0: Known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), the cells are confined to the ducts and have not invaded surrounding tissue.

Stage 1: At this stage, measurement of the tumor is up to 2 cm. It has no effect on any lymph nodes, or there are many small groups of cancer cells in the lymph nodes.

Stage 2: The tumor is 2 cm away, and has started to spread to nearby nodes, or 2-5 cm away and has not spread to lymph nodes.

Stage 3: The tumor is up to 5 cm, and has spread to several lymph nodes or the tumor is larger than 5 cm and has spread to some lymph nodes.

Stage 4: Cancer has spread to distant organs, often the bones, liver, brain or lungs.

Reasons

After puberty, a girl's breast consists of fat, connective tissue, and thousands of lobules. These are small glands that are responsible for producing milk for breastfeeding. Small tubes or ducts carry milk to the nipple.

Cancer causes cells to become uncontrolled. They do not become dead as usual in their life cycle. This excessive cell growth causes cancer because the tumor uses up nutrients and energy and deprives the surrounding cells.

Breast cancer usually starts in the milk ducts or the inner linings that supply them with milk. From there, it may spread to many other important parts of the body.

Breast cancer diagnosis

To determine whether your symptoms are due to breast cancer or a benign breast condition, your doctor will perform a complete physical exam in addition to a breast exam. They can also recommend one or more diagnostic tests to help understand what is the cause of your symptoms.

Tests that help diagnose breast cancer include:

Mammogram

 The most common way to see below the surface of your breasts is with an imaging test called a mammogram. Many women age 40 and older have an annual mammogram to check for breast cancer. 

If your doctor suspects you may have a tumor or suspicious area, they will also request a mammogram. If an abnormal area appears on your mammogram, your doctor may request additional tests.

Ultrasound

 A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to image the tissues deep in your breast. Ultrasound can help your doctor differentiate between solid masses, such as tumors and benign cysts.

Your health practitioner can also suggest tests such as an MRI or breast biopsy.

Breast biopsy

If your doctor suspects breast cancer, they may recommend both a mammogram and an ultrasound. If these two tests can't tell your doctor whether you have cancer, your doctor may order a test called a breast biopsy.

During this test, your doctor will remove a tissue sample from the suspicious area to be examined.

There are several types of breast biopsy. With many of these tests, your health practitioner uses a needle to take a tissue sample. With others, they prepare an incision in your breast and then take away the sample.

Your medical doctor will send the tissue sample to a modern laboratory. If the sample tests positive for cancer, the lab will examine it further to inform your medical doctor what kind of cancer you suffer from.

Breast cancer treatment

Treatment will depend on several factors, including:

Cancer type and stage

Human sensitivity to hormones

Age, overall health, and individual preferences.

Major treatment options include:

Radiation therapy

Surgery

Biological therapy, or targeted drug therapy.

Hormone therapy

Chemotherapy

Factors affecting a person's type of treatment will include the stage of the cancer, other medical conditions and their individual preference.

Prevention of breast cancer

There is no way to prevent breast cancer. However, certain lifestyle modifications can significantly decrease the risk of breast cancer as well as other kinds of cancer.

These include:

Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.

Following a healthy diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Getting enough exercise.

Maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI).

Women should consider their options when breastfeeding and using HRT after menopause as these may also increase the risk.

Preventive surgery is also a good choice for women at greater risk of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Awareness

Fortunately for women and men around the world, people are increasingly aware of the problems associated with breast cancer.

Breast cancer awareness efforts have helped people:

Know what their risk factors are.

How can they reduce their risk level?

What symptoms should they look for?

What kind of screening should they get?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is celebrated every October, but many people celebrate it throughout the year.

If you notice a lump or other change in your breast – even if a recent mammogram was normal – see your doctor for an immediate evaluation.