Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, also the second main cause of cancer death in women, after the lung cancer.

Breast cancer develops in the breast tissue, primarily in the milk ducts or glands. The cancer is still called and treated as breast cancer even if it is first discovered after the cells have traveled to other areas of the body. Let’s discuss about the Breast Cancer, Causes, Symptoms, Stages, Treatment and the Prevention tips.

Breast Cancer Symptoms:

Symptoms & Signs of Breast Cancer may include:

• A breast lump and thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue.
• Change in the size, shape and appearance of a breast.
• Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling.
• A change in the nipple such as an itching, nipple retraction, dimpling, ulceration or a burning sensation.
• Scaling, Peeling, crusting of the pigmented area surrounding the nipple or breast skin.
• Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange.

Call Your Doctor about Breast Cancer if:

One or may be both breasts develop an abnormal lump or persistent pain or feel abnormal. These symptoms may sign other issued but should be identified.

You have swollen lymph glands in your armpits, could be associated with cancer.

Also Read: Bladder Cancer-Stages | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment

Breast Cancer Types:

There are several types of Breast Cancer as follow:

• Invasive Breast Cancer: Invasive Breast Cancer starts in the breast ducts / glands, but grows into breast tissue and sometimes beyond.

• Inflammatory Breast Cancer: This rare & aggressive breast cancer often appears as an irritated area of skin.

• What is HER2-Positive?                               

It’s more aggressive than other breast tumors, but early treatments may help.

•Breast Cancer in Men: Men do have a small amount of breast tissue, so they can get the same types of breast cancers as same as the women.

Breast Cancer Causes:

At the stage of puberty, a woman’s breast consists of fat, thousands of lobules, connective tissue, tiny glands for producing milk. Tiny tubes or ducts help to carry milk toward the nipples.

In the case of cancer, the body’s cells multiply uncontrollably. It is the excessive cell growth that causes cancer.

Breast cancer usually starts in the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply them with milk. From there, it can spread to other parts of the body.

Breast Cancer Diagnosis:

There are some procedures & diagnostic tests can help to confirm a diagnosis.

Breast Exam: 

The doctor will examine the patient’s breasts for lumps & further symptoms.

Imaging Tests:

A mammogram is a type of x-ray used for initial breast cancer screening that catches the images to detect lumps or abnormalities.

Biopsy:

In this process a sample of tissue is removed by surgery to laboratory analysis. That shows the cells are cancerous, and, also tells the type of cancer.

Diagnosis also tells the staging the cancer. Diagnosis the Staging will help decide on the best treatment options.

Breast Cancer Treatment:

There are various treatment therapies that depend on the types, stage of the cancer, Sensitivity to hormones and age of the patience.

Surgery: In this kind of treatment the tumor has to removed that help to prevent the spread of the cancer.

Also Read: Cancer Definition, Causes, Sign, Symptoms, Types, Treatment

Radiation therapy:

In Radiation therapy, Controlled doses of radiation are targeted on tumor to destroy the cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be used after a month after surgery or along with chemotherapy. This works to kill any remaining cancer cells.

Session of few minutes of Radiation therapy, and a person may need three to five sessions per week for 3-6 weeks, depending on the aim and the extent of the cancer.

Chemotherapy:

Doctor prescribes the cytotoxic drugs to kill the cancer cells. In case of large tumor, chemotherapy is used before the surgery to shrink the tumor and to remove easily.

It can also reduce estrogen production, as estrogen can encourage the growth of some breast cancers.

There are some side-effects of chemotherapy:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Hair Loss
• Loss Of Appetite

Medications can help control many of these side effects, however.

Breast Cancer Prevention:

There is no fix way to prevent the breast cancer, but your lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of breast and other types of cancer.

These include:

• Avoiding Excess Alcohol Consumption.
• Follow a Healthy Diet.
• Exercise
• Maintaining a Body Mass Index (BMI)

Outlook

Stage 0 or stage 1 breast cancer has an almost 100 percent chance of surviving for at least 5 years.

If the diagnosis is made at stage 4 breast cancer, the chance of surviving another 5 years is around 22 percent.

Regular checks and screening can help detect symptoms early. Women should discuss their options with a doctor.