Breast cancer occurs due to malignant tumors that occur in the breast. Malignant tumor is the group of cells that flourish into surrounding tissue and can expand to other parts of the body.
How Breast Cancer Developed?
Women's breasts consist of milk produced glands known as lobules, ducts which help to carry milk from lobules to the nipples.
Stoma is the connective tissue and connective tissue between lobules and ducts, lymphatic vessels and blood vessels.
Most of the breast cancer in women occurs in the cell between the duct line. Others occur in the lobules.
Like lung cancer, breast cancer is associated with the lymphatic system. Lymphatic system consists of lymphatic nodes. Lymphatic node is a small bean shaped collection of immune systems that are connected to lymphatic vessels.
Lymphatic vessels are small veins which are responsible for carrying fluid known as lymph (containing tissue fluid and waste products as well as immune system cells).
Cancer cells can pass through lymphatic vessels and spread to other parts of the body including lymphatic nodes.
Types of Breast Cancer
1. Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
Is the type of breast cancer which is noninvasive, in DCIS cancer cells available in the ducts but does not spread through the walls of the ducts to the surrounding breast tissues. If DCIS is diagnosed in its early stages it can be easy to get rid of it.
2.Lobular Carcinoma in Situ
Lobular carcinoma in situ is not real cancer, but sometimes is known as non-invasive breast cancer.
This type of cancer begins in the milk producing glands but does not spread through the wall of lobules.
It is the type of cancer which does not have greater impacts but if not diagnosed early can read to breast cancer as it is).
3. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
This is the most known type of breast cancer. IDC begins in a duct of breast and flourishes into the fatty tissue of the breast. When it reaches this point it expands through the other part of the body through lymphatic and blood streams.
4. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
This type of cancer starts in the lobules responsible for milk production. Once it starts it spreads to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer Facts and statistics
- It is a type of cancer which is very difficult to detect even through mammography.
- Apart from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common among American women.
- According to the American Cancer society in 2022: in the US invasive breast cancer will be nearly diagnosed in an estimated 287,850 women and 2710 men, with an estimated 51,400 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCSI) diagnosed.
- Also an estimated 43,780 breast cancer deaths in women, 530 in men will occur in 2022.
- Incidence and trends of breast cancer according to American Cancer Society breast cancer increased by about 0.5% per year since the mid 2000’s.
Risk Factors of Breast Cancer
a) Since breast cancer is prone to women compared to men, therefore being women is the first risk factor for breast cancer
b) Weight gain
c) Alcohol consumption and physical inactivity
d) Breast cancer is associated with genetic factors or family background.
e) High density of breast tissue (this is the amount of glandular and connective tissue relative to fatty tissue measured in mammograms).Not giving birth or giving birth post 30 years old.
Sign and Symptoms of Breast Cancer
- Skin redness or breast swelling or nipple abnormalities.
- Breast or nipple pain
- Swelling in all parts of the breast.
How to Prevent Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer associated with family background or genetic factors is difficult to deal with. The most common protocol used to deal with those types of cancer is by using surgery.
Prophylactic mastectomy-is the method where the breast is removed in order to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Detection
Any type of cancer including breast cancer can be combated if detected during its early stages since it may pave the way for many treatment options.
Mammography is the main screening modality of breast cancer. Is a low-due x-rays used to detect breast cancer at its early stages at its early stages (before it becomes symptomatic).
Shortcomings of Mammography
Like other cancer treatment protocol mammography also has its shortcomings including
- It does not provide the complete perfect result.
- It is very costly and it may result in anxiety if performed frequently.