Breast cancer is caused when cells in the breast starts dividing abnormally and uncontrollably. This abnormal growth can lead to forming a tumor. It can develop in one or both of the breasts. It is a common cancer in women. It is a malignant form of cancer and it can spread to various organs of the body.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women.
What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?
Breast cancer in early stages usually does not cause any pain or any other symptoms at all.
Most of the breast cancer patients have no pain or lumps. They also do not have any other signs or problem with their breasts. Most common signs and symptoms are:
- Change in the size or shape of the breast.
- A lump or thickening present in the breast.
- A lump can be present near the breast or in the underarm area.
- Lump means it may be a mass or a swelling.
- Skin irritation, or distortion of the breast.
- Change in the colour or feel of the skin of the breast.
- Change of colour of areola or nipple.
- Changes like dimpling or peeling of nipple.
- Nipple discharge.
- Erosion, inversion and tenderness of the nipple.
Some people may have all the signs and symptoms and some may have only few of them.
If any of these signs or symptoms are seen or noticed one should go and consult a doctor immediately for breast examination. As breast cancer progresses very fast early detection helps in preventing the disease from progressing further.
Can breast cancer spread to other parts of the body?
Yes breast cancer can spread to other parts of the body. Breast cancer is a malignant type of cancer. It can metastasize or spread outside the breast to bone, liver etc. Breast cancer cells are often found in the lymph nodes under the arm. Once the cancer has reached these nodes, it may mean that cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. Hence it is then called as metastatic breast cancer.
What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
Although some women are at a higher risk for breast cancer due to family history of breast cancer the fact is anybody can develop breast cancer. Therefore, all women have a risk for breast cancer because of the following risk factors:
- Gender – breast cancer occurs mainly in women than in men.
- Aging – most of the breast cancers occur after age 50 or in menopausal women.
- Family history and genetic factors – having a history of breast cancer in family. Like having a mother or sister with breast cancer increases the risk.
- Benign breast diseases.
- Personal history of breast cancer that had been treated earlier.
- Previous history of radiation therapy to breast.
- Menstrual periods beginning early in life before age.12
- Menopause beginning late in life after age 55.
Other symptoms that can lead to breast cancer are:
- Being Obese and taking food high in fat content.
- Lack of exercise.
- Using oral contraceptives for a long period of time.
- Not having any children or had children after the age of 30.
- Going for abortion.
- Being on estrogen replacement therapy for along period of time.
- Not breast-feeding the baby.
- Increased alcohol intake.
- Smoking also increases the risk.
Environmental risk factors like exposure to pesticides, air pollution and to other chemicals are also known to cause breast cancer.
How can breast cancer be diagnosed?
Before arriving at a diagnosis of it is important to remember that a lump or other changes in the breast can also be caused by cancer or any other less serious problems.
A careful physical exam with personal and family medical history helps in diagnosis of breast cancer. The other breast examinations may include:
Clinical breast examination (CBE): It is done by palpation. Palpation is the process of carefully feeling the lump and the tissue around it. The doctor tries feel its size, its texture, and if it moves easily. Benign or noncancerous lumps feel different from cancerous ones.
Mammography – Examination of the breast by taking x-rays.
Nipple discharge examination is done for detecting any cancerous change in the breast.
Biopsy: The doctor removes some fluid or tissue from the breast that is sent for examination. This procedure is called biopsy.
What are treatments for breast cancer?
Treatment for breast cancer may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to attack cancer cells and stop their growth. It is also called radiotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancerous cells.
Surgery is used in the advanced cases of breast cancer. It may include various types of surgery depending on severity of the cancer.
Surgery is done to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Generally, surgery also includes removal of some or all of the regional lymph nodes usually the one in the armpit.