Breast Cancer Basics

What is Breast Cancer?

• A type of cancer that originates in the breast tissue
• Can affect both women and men, but more common in women
• Accounts for about 15% of all cancer cases in women worldwide

Types of Breast Cancer

• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): Cancer cells in the lining of the milk ducts, has not invaded surrounding tissue
• Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC): Cancer cells invade surrounding tissue
• Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS): Cancer cells in the lobules, has not invaded surrounding tissue
• Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC): Cancer cells invade surrounding tissue

Causes and Risk Factors

• Genetics: Family history, inherited genetic mutations (e.g. BRCA1, BRCA2)
• Hormonal factors: Early menstruation, late menopause, hormone replacement therapy
• Lifestyle factors: Obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption
• Environmental factors: Radiation exposure, certain chemicals

Symptoms

• Lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
• Changes in breast size, shape, or color
• Nipple discharge or inversion
• Redness, scaliness, or swelling of the breast

Diagnosis

• Clinical breast examination (CBE)
• Mammography: X-ray of the breast tissue
• Ultrasound: Uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images
• Biopsy: Removal of tissue or cells for examination

Treatment

• Surgery: Lumpectomy (removal of tumor), mastectomy (removal of breast)
• Radiation therapy: Uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells
• Chemotherapy: Uses drugs to kill cancer cells
• Hormone therapy: Targets hormone-sensitive cancers
• Targeted therapy: Targets specific cancer cells