What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the cells of the breast. Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it is far more common in women. Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women after skin cancer.
There are several different types of breast cancer, including ductal carcinoma, lobular carcinoma, and inflammatory breast cancer. Ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer, accounting for about 80% of all cases. Lobular carcinoma make up about 10-15% of all breast cancers, and inflammatory breast cancer accounts for 1-5% of all cases.
What causes breast cancer?
Breast cancer usually starts with a change in the cells of the breast. These changes can be benign, which means they are not cancerous, or they can be malignant, which means they are cancerous. Breast cancer is considered malignant if the cells have the ability to spread to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer typically starts with a lump in the breast that is usually painless. Other symptoms of breast cancer may include a change in the size or shape of the breast, nipple discharge, and a change in the appearance of the skin on the breast. Breast cancer may also cause fatigue, weight loss, and bone pain.
How is it diagnosed?
Breast cancer is typically diagnosed with a mammogram, which is an X-ray of the breast. Breast cancer may also be diagnosed with a biopsy, which is a procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed from the breast and analyzed for cancer cells.
Breast cancer can be a scary diagnosis, but it is important to remember that it is often treatable if it is caught early. There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, including maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding alcohol. You should also talk to your doctor about your risk factors for developing breast cancer and get regular mammograms. Early detection is key to successful treatment of breast cancer.
Treatment for Breast Cancer includes:
Breast cancer treatment typically involves surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these treatments. Surgery is the most common treatment for breast cancer, and it may be used to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue. Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells, while chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Breast cancer may also be treated with targeted therapies or hormone therapy.
Breast cancer can be a life-threatening disease, but it is often treatable if it is caught early. There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, including maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding alcohol. You should also talk to your doctor about your risk factors for developing breast cancer and get regular mammograms. Early detection is key to successful treatment of breast cancer.
