Cancer is a condition in which the body's cells proliferate uncontrollably. Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast. It can start in one or both breasts.
Although the number of deaths from breast cancer has decreased over time, it is still the second most common cancer among women.
In a woman's lifetime, breast cancer affects about 1 in 8 of them. If it's found early on, there is a good chance of recovery. Women must therefore periodically check their breasts for changes and always get any alterations evaluated by a GP.
Each person will experience different breast cancer symptoms. Some patients completely lack any symptoms or warning signs. Some breast cancer warning signs include:
New lump in the breast or underarm.
Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
Irritation of breast skin.
Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
Pain in any area of the breast.
Keep in mind that these symptoms can happen with other conditions that are not cancer.
If you have any signs or symptoms that worry you, be sure to see your general practitioner right away.
It is unclear exactly what causes breast cancer. However, several factors have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. These include:
Age: the risk increases as you get older
A family history of breast cancer
A previous diagnosis of breast cancer
A previous benign breast lump
Being tall, overweight, or obese
Drinking alcohol
If your breasts change in any way, consult your general practitioner. It is possible to utilize the following techniques and tests:
Physical exam and health history: an examination of the body to look for general health indicators, including looking for disease indications like tumors or anything else that seems out of the normal. Additionally, a history of the patient's health practices, diseases, and treatments in the past will be recorded.
Clinical breast exam (CBE): the doctor will carefully feel the breasts, under the arms, and anywhere else that feels unusual to check for the presence of lumps.
Breast ultrasound: an imaging test that uses sound waves to show the inside of your breasts.
Mammogram: X-ray picture of the breast.
Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A kind of scan that uses a magnet connected to a computer. The MRI scan will picture the area inside the breast.
Biopsy: removing tissue or fluid from the breast to be looked at under a microscope and do more testing.
Staging
If breast cancer is found, more tests are performed to determine whether cancer cells have spread within the breast or to other body areas; this is called cancer staging. Your breast cancer stage depends on whether the disease has progressed outside of the breast, lymph nodes beneath your arm, or both. The oncologist determines the type of treatment you require based on the type and stage of your breast cancer.
Early cancer detection allows for treatment before the disease spreads to other body organs.
There are numerous treatments for breast cancer. The type of breast cancer and the extent of its spread will determine this. Multiple types of treatments are frequently given to patients with breast cancer.
Surgery: an operation where doctors remove cancer tissue.
Chemotherapy: using special medicines to shrink or kill cancer cells. The drugs can be pills you take, medicines given in your veins, or sometimes both. (Ex: doxorubicin, epirubicin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, ixabepilone, eribulin)
Hormonal therapy: preventing cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow. (Ex: tamoxifen, toremifene, fulvestrant)
Targeted therapy: strengthen your body’s immune system to help it fight cancer cells. (Ex: trastuzumab, pertuzumab, abemaciclib, ribociclib, atezolizumab)
Radiation therapy: using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
Which Treatment Is Right for Me?
Making the correct treatment choice for you might be challenging. Discuss the treatment choices with your oncologist based on the type and stage of your cancer. Your doctor can go over the advantages, disadvantages, and side effects of each procedure.
Sometimes patients consult multiple oncologists to acquire their opinions. We refer to this as a "second opinion." You might be able to select the best course of treatment with the help of a second opinion.
Get the answers you need, all in one place. Explore expert-written blogs, browse our extensive FAQs for quick answers to common concerns, or use our Symptom Checker for preliminary insights.
Need in-depth details? Our Disease Directory provides comprehensive information to help you understand conditions better.
Whatever you're looking for, we're here to support your health journey, seamlessly and effortlessly.
Reviewed Blogs & Medical Guidelines
and Diseases Explained