Breast cancer is a dangerous disease which develops from breast cells. It starts off in the inner lining of milk ducts that supply them with milk. It is mainly seen in females. The distinct lifestyle and eating habits in females in rich and poor countries are also factors for such diseases. It is more commonly seen in elderly women.
A mature female’s breast consists of fat connective tissues and thousands of lobules- tiny glands which produce milk. The milk of a breast feeding mother goes through tiny ducts (tubes) and is delivered through the nipple.
The breast like any other part of the body, has billions of microscopic cells. These cells multiply in an orderly fashion- new cells replaces old that died.
Cancer begins when these cells refuse to die and go on growing continuously and spread all over. Cancer that begins in the milk duct is known as Ductal Carcinoma, it is the most common type. Cancer that begins in the lobules is known as Lobular Carcinoma, is much less common.
Invasive and non- invasive breast cancer.
Invasive cancer- the cancer cells break out from inside the lobules or ducts and invade nearby tissues. With this type of cancer, the abnormal cells can reach other organs of body such as bones, lungs or liver.
Non-invasive cancer- this is when the cancer is still inside the place of its origin and has not broken out. They can eventually develop into invasive breast cancer.
Symptoms
- Headache: The first symptom is when your head starts aching continuously or in breaks, which only a doctor or nurse can guess about it which makes them realize.
- Rash or swelling near breast
- Lumps in breast, but the majority of lumps are not cancerous; women should get them checked by health care professionals.
- Pain in the armpits or breast that does not seem to be related to the women’s menstrual period.
- Redness of the skin of the breast.
- A rash around one of the nipple.
- A swelling in armpits
- An area thickened in the breast.
- Nipple changes its appearance or may be inverted. Its size changes too.
Causes
- Getting elder: It is mainly seen in elderly women and there is comparitively higher risk in it.
- Genetics: Some close relative of yours may be suffering with it and due to this there are chances that it might get transmitted to you. Though breast cancer is not hereditary.
- History of breast cancer: Women who have had non-invasive cancer in the past are more likely to develop this disease again which can even develop into invasive cancer.
- Women who have started having periods earlier have a high risk of developing breast cancer.
Treatment
It depends on patients all over health and how far it has spread. The main breast cancer treatment options may include,
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
- Biological therapy
- Hormone therapy
- Biopsy
- Chemotherapy
