Breast cancer is a type of cancer when breast cells mutate and become cancerous. These cells multiply and form tumors in the breast. However, it doesn’t only happen to women. Everyone is born with some breast tissue and thus anyone can get breast cancer.
It’s important to diagnose this cancer earlier to reduce any serious complications. Finding the cancer in its early stage makes it more likely to be cured. Today, we will guide you through this journey effectively.
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers. It can also be called breast carcinoma, malignant tumor of the breast, or mammary cancer. It generally affects women and people AFAB (assigned female at birth). The cancerous cells multiply in your breasts and become tumors. Almost 80% of breast carcinoma cases are generally invasive. Meaning, a tumor might spread from your breast to other parts of your body.
Breast carcinoma typically affects women who are 50 years or older. However, it can also affect men AMAB (assigned male at birth).
Breast Cancer Types
Doctors determine breast cancer types and subtypes for effective treatment options. Additionally, this ensures that the patient may experience fewer side effects. Some common types include the following:
- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): IDC occurs when cancer cells in a milk duct of the breast spread beyond the duct. It also starts spreading into other breast tissue or to other parts of the body.
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): DCIS is a non-invasive cancer. In this, abnormal cells are found in the lining of the breast milk ducts.
- Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): ILC is also an invasive cancer. It begins in the lobules of the breast, spreading into the surrounding breast tissue.
- Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS): LCIS is not termed as a breast cancer. It is a condition where abnormal cells have been found in the lobules.
Some less common breast cancer types are:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): This invasive cancer spreads more quickly than the other ones.
- Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC): This cancer is rare and fast-growing. It looks like a rash on your breast.
- Paget’s disease of the breast: This is a rare cancer that affects the skin of your nipple.
Breast Cancer Subtypes
Doctors classify breast carcinoma subtypes by receptor cell status. The Subtypes include the following:
| Subtypes | Definition |
| HR-positive (HR+) | Have progesterone and estrogen receptors. |
| HR-negative (HR-) | Don’t have progesterone or estrogen receptors. |
| ER-positive (ER+) | Have estrogen receptors. |
| PR-positive (PR+) | Have progesterone receptors. |
| HER2-positive (HER2+) | Have higher than normal levels of the HER2 protein. About 15%-20% of all breast cancers are HER2-positive. |
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Breast carcinoma or cancer can affect your breasts in many ways. It’s important to know the symptoms beforehand to avoid any major complications later. However, breast carcinoma may not cause any noticeable signs. But if it does, symptoms of breast cancer may include:
- A lump or mass, which may seem or feel as small as a pea.
- A change in the shape, size, or contour of your breast.
- Thickening or a lump in or near your breast.
- A lump in your underarm that remains through your menstrual cycle.
- A change how your breast or nipple feels or looks. Your skin may look inflamed, dimpled, or scaly. It might also look purple, red, or darker than other parts of your breast.
- Discharge of clear or blood-stained fluid from your nipple.
- A marble-like hardened area under your breast’s skin.
Note: If you are noticing some symptoms, you can contact our expert Dr. Rita Bakshi and mail us [email protected]
Causes of Breast Carcinoma
Research shows there are multiple risk factors. These factors can increase the chances of having breast cancers. These include the following:
- Age: Being 55 years of age or older.
- Sex: Women and people AFAB are more likely to develop the condition.
- Family history: If you have a family history of having breast cancers, you’re at risk of developing the disease.
- Genetics: Up to 15% of people develop the disease because they have inherited genetic mutations. Additionally, the most common genetic mutations are the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
- Smoking: Tobacco use has been also linked to many different types of cancer.
- Drinking alcohol: Research shows that drinking beverages that contain alcohol may also increase the risk.
- Having obesity: One major breast cancer reason is obesity.
- Radiation exposure: If you’ve had prior radiation therapy, especially to your neck, head, or chest, you’re at risk.
- Hormone replacement therapy: Using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can also increase the chances of being diagnosed with the condition.
Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Doctors may do physical examinations or order mammograms. It will help them to check for signs of breast carcinoma. But they can also do the following tests to diagnose the disease:
- Breast ultrasound.
- Breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan.
- Immunohistochemistry test to check for hormone receptors.
- Breast biopsy.
- Genetic tests to identify mutations that cause breast carcinoma.
Breast Cancer Stages
Breast carcinoma stages depend on factors like cancer type, tumor size and location. It also depends on whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Breast cancer stages are as follows:
- Stage 0: The disease is noninvasive. It also means that it hasn’t spread from your breast ducts to other areas of your breast.
- Stage I: It means there are cancerous cells in nearby breast tissue.
- Stage II: The cancerous cells have formed a tumor or tumors. Tumors at this stage can measure anywhere between 2-5 centimeters across. Also, they may or may not affect the nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage III: There’s breast carcinoma in nearby tissue and lymph nodes. Breast cancer level 3 is usually referred to as locally advanced cancer.
- Stage IV: Cancer has spread from your breast to other areas. It includes areas like your liver, bones, lungs or brain.
What are some Breast Cancer Treatments?
There are different types of breast cancer treatments, depending on the stage of cancer. Surgery is the primary treatment, but doctors may use other treatments as well. Surgeries include the following:
- Mastectomy: A mastectomy is a type of breast carcinoma surgery. It removes all of your breast tissue in one or both of your breasts. It also includes the areola and nipple.
- Lumpectomy: Unlike a mastectomy, a lumpectomy only removes cancer cells. It also removes a small margin of healthy breast tissue.
- Breast Reconstruction: Breast reconstruction is a surgery to recreate breasts after lumpectomy or mastectomy. Sometimes reconstruction takes several surgeries with different techniques.
Your healthcare provider may also combine surgery with one or more treatments. It includes the following:
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments. It works by killing the cancerous cells present in your breast. It also kills those that may have spread from your breast to other parts of body.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-powered X-rays to damage or kill cancerous cells.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy helps to boost your immune system to kill cancerous cells.
- Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy is a common treatment for hormone receptor-positive (HR+).
- Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy targets the genetic changes or mutations that turn healthy cells into cancerous cells.
Breast Cancer Treatment Side effects
Here are some of the side effects of breast carcinoma treatments that one may experience:
Chemotherapy Side Effects:
- Mouth sores
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Nail changes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Easy bruising
- Numbness and pain in the fingers and feet
- Difficulty with concentration and memory
Radiation Therapy Side Effects:
- Breast soreness
- Fatigue
- Swelling in the radiated area
- Skin irritation in the radiated area
Immunotherapy Side Effects:
- Arthritis
- Constipation
- Coughing
- Decreased appetite and Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rash and Itching
- Nausea and Headache
Hormone Therapy Side Effects
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Muscle and joint pain
- Weight gain
- Osteoporosis
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Mood swings
Targeted Therapy Side Effects:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Mouth sores
- Rashes or dry skin
- Diarrhea
- Pain and numbness in the feet and fingers
- Cardiac changes
Prevention of Breast Cancer
It may not be possible to prevent breast carcinoma or cancer. However, one can reduce the risk of developing cancer. Mammograms and self-exams can help in detecting breast carcinoma early. It will be easier both for the doctors and the patient to treat and eliminate it early.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), there are some advice for all women and people AFAB:
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight is very important. Ask your doctor for information on setting up healthy weight management.
- Eat a healthy diet: There are some breast cancer prevention foods. It includes vegetables, calcium-rich dairy items, fruits and also lean proteins. Avoiding processed meat and red meat may also reduce your risk.
- Physical Activity: Research shows that regular physical activity can also lower breast cancer risk.
- Avoid beverages containing alcohol: The American Medical Association recommends women to limit alcohol intake.
- Get yourself screened: Mammograms often help to detect tumors.
- Do regular self-exams: Examining your breasts regularly also helps in maintaining breast health.