What is breast cancer?
Mutations and changes in the genes that control cell growth lead to cancer. Breast cells can expand and divide uncontrollably. The term "breast cancer" refers to cancer that begins in the tissues of the breast. Breast cancer develops in one or more ducts or lobules. Ducts are the conduits that carry the milk from the glands to the nipple, while lobules are the organs that create it. Breast cancer can develop in your breast's fatty tissue or fibrous connective tissue. The unchecked cancer cells frequently spread to neighbouring healthy breast tissue and the lymph nodes beneath the arms. Breast cancer may open a passage to other internal organs if it scatters to the lymph nodes.
 |
| A happy lady after breast cancer treatment |
What are the facts about Breast cancer in India?
The incidence of breast cancer has surpassed cervical cancer to become the most frequent malignancy in Indian women. Data analysts identified 1,78,000 new cases each year. India is experiencing an increase in age. Genetic factors and family history (including BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene inheritance) increase the risk of breast cancer.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
The symptoms of breast cancer depend on the type and how advanced it is. Symptoms may include a lump in the breast, nipple discharge, fatigue, or pain in one or both breasts. The most common sign or symptom of breast cancer is a lump, which may be hard to feel. Other symptoms include changes in density or shape in the breasts, persistent feelings of swelling, redness, warmth and pain near the breast.
The following are signs of the most prevalent breast cancers:
- An increase in breast tissue thickness or a new lump in the breast that feels different from the surrounding tissue
- swelling in all or part of your breasts, red or discoloured, pitted breast skin
- Breast milk is not present in abnormal nipple discharge
- peeling, scaling, or flaking skin of your nipple or breast, along with a bloody discharge from your nipple
- a rapid, unexplained change in your breast's size or inverted shape in nipple modifications of your breasts' skin
- a mass or enlargement under your arm
What are the different types of breast cancer?
There are several types of breast cancer. The most common type is ductal carcinoma, the growth of cancer cells in the milk ducts that transport milk from the breasts to the baby. Other types include lobular carcinoma, a breast cancer that grows in clusters or masses and tends to be more likely to spread than such kinds of breast cancer. Invasive carcinoma arises from tissue outside the protective covering around the nipple (areola) and can rapidly spread throughout your body. Ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, is a noninvasive malignancy. In DCIS, the cancer cells in your breast are contained in the ducts and haven't spread to the surrounding breast tissue.
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
Breast cancer is diagnosed with a physical examination and diagnostic tests, such as mammograms. Treatments for breast cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy. The best treatment for breast cancer is early detection.
Less common types of breast cancer include:
- Breast cancer starts in the milk ducts or lobules of the breast. Such breast cancer type is called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
- Breast cancer starts in one or more cells at the base of a nipple (areola) and spreads through nearby tissue to other parts. It’s called invasive, metastatic, or terminal breast cancer.
- Breast cancer develops within your body externally, for example, when tumours develop where hormone-releasing tubes connect to your ovaries.
- Angiosarcoma grows in the cells of the breast.
- Paget disease of the nipple and Phyllodes tumour are less common.
- Inflammatory breast cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is invasive breast cancer that occurs when the balance between inflammation and resiliency in the breast tissue is disturbed. Infection, hormonal factors, environmental exposures, or genetics can cause IBC. The common symptoms of IBC include nipple discharge, pain during sexual activity, a change in the size and itching. If left untreated, it can lead to further health problems, including high blood pressure and heart disease. About one-third of women with IBC will eventually develop metastases.
Experts characterise Triple-negative breast cancer as tumour cells that lack expression of any markers associated with breast tissue growth and development, such as oestrogen or progesterone. This condition makes it difficult to determine whether the cancer is growing, and treatment often requires more aggressive treatments than other types of breast cancer.
Diagnosis of breast cancer
If a woman has symptoms that suggest she may have breast cancer, her doctor will do a physical exam and ask about the woman's history and any changes in her health. The doctor may also order blood tests to check for signs of disease or injury. Treatment depends on the stage of the tumour, which is determined by how far it has spread beyond the milk ducts (lobules) into surrounding tissues. Treatment typically includes surgery to remove as much tumour as possible, often followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Routine mammograms to check for breast cancer are common among women over 40. If your doctor thinks you could have a tumour or another suspicious location, they may request a mammogram. Your oncologist can ask for more tests if they discover an abnormal region during the mammography.
How does Ultrasound works?
An ultrasound machine sends sound waves into your breast. The waves create variations in pressure, and the pressure changes cause tiny echoes to be bounced back. These echoes produce a picture of the internal organs in your breast. In addition, your doctor might advise procedures like a breast biopsy or an MRI. Your doctor can tell the difference between a benign cyst and a solid mass like a tumour with the aid of ultrasound.
Breast cancer treatment
Surgery is the frequent treatment for breast cancer. Several people have additional treatments, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation, or hormone therapy.
Surgeons perform surgery to remove breast cancer, including:
- Lumpectomy
- Mastectomy
- Sentinel node biopsy
- Axillary lymph node dissection
- Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy