Breast Cancer: Invasive Growth & Diagnosis

• Breast cancer becomes invasive when it penetrates mammary duct tissue and grows irregularly.
• Diagnosis involves breast biopsy via needle aspiration or surgical removal of the tumor, followed by a microscopic examination.

Risk Factors

• Family history of breast cancer can increase the risk due to genetic predisposition.
• Early menarche and late menopause are risk factors.
• Previous cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries can increase breast cancer risk.
• Nulliparity, or late first birth, are risk factors.
• Obesity is a risk factor.
• High-dose radiation exposure to the chest area can increase risk.

Data Collection

• A mass might be felt during Breast Self-Examination (BSE), usually in the upper outer quadrant, under the nipple, or in the axilla.
• Lesions may be detected on a mammography scan.
• A fixed, irregular, nonencapsulated mass is often present, typically painless except in later stages.
• Asymmetry, with the affected breast being higher.
• Nipple retraction or elevation may be observed.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

• Bloody or clear nipple discharge may occur.
• Skin dimpling, retraction, or ulceration may be present.
• Skin edema or peau d’orange skin can indicate lymphatic involvement, causing skin edema and an "orange peel" appearance.
• Lymphedema of the affected arm.

Early Detection

• Perform self-exams regularly, 7-10 days after menstruation.
• Postmenopausal individuals, or those who've had a hysterectomy, should still perform BSE regularly.

Nonsurgical Interventions

• Chemotherapy is a treatment method.
• Radiation therapy is another treatment option.
• Hormonal manipulation using medications like tamoxifen targets estrogen receptor-positive tumors, especially in postmenopausal women.
• Monoclonal antibodies, such as trastuzumab, can be used for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive (HER-2+) breast cancer.

Surgical Interventions

• Surgical breast procedures, with the possibility of breast reconstruction.