Let's talk about breast cancer today
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast grow uncontrollably. These cells usually form a tumor that can be seen on an X-ray or felt as a lump. It can begin in different parts of the breast, most commonly in the ducts or lobules.
Types of Breast Cancer
Non-invasive (in situ)
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS): Cancer cells are inside the ducts and haven't spread.
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS): Abnormal cells in the lobules, not true cancer but a risk factor.
Invasive (infiltrating)
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): Most common; starts in the ducts and spreads.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): Starts in the lobules and spreads.
Other rare types
Inflammatory breast cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer
HER2-positive breast cancer
Paget’s disease of the breast
Male breast cancer (rare, but possible)
(These will be discussed in another post)
Risk Factors
Non-modifiable
Age (risk increases with age)
Gender (mostly affects women)
Family history
Genetics (BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations)
Personal history of breast conditions
Modifiable
Obesity
Alcohol use
Smoking
Lack of physical activity
Hormone replacement therapy
Radiation exposure
Symptoms
Lump in the breast or underarm
Change in breast shape or size
Dimpling or puckering of skin
Nipple discharge (especially blood)
Inverted nipple
Redness or flaky skin on the breast
Pain in any area of the breast
Diagnosis
Clinical breast exam
Imaging: Mammogram, ultrasound, MRI
Biopsy: Core needle biopsy or fine needle aspiration
Stages
Staging is based on tumor size, lymph node involvement, and metastasis (TNM system):
Stage 0: Non-invasive (DCIS)
Stage I–III: Increasing tumor size and spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes
Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant organs (metastatic)
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the type, stage, and characteristics of the tumor.
Local Treatments
Surgery:
Lumpectomy (breast-conserving)
Mastectomy (removal of the breast)
Radiation therapy
Systemic Treatments
Chemotherapy
Hormone therapy (for hormone receptor-positive cancers)
Targeted therapy (like HER2-targeted drugs)
Immunotherapy (especially in triple-negative cancers)
Prognosis
Prognosis varies widely depending on:
Stage at diagnosis
Tumor type and biology
Patient's age and health
Response to treatment
Early-stage breast cancer generally has a high survival rate, especially with prompt treatment.
Prevention & Screening
Lifestyle changes: Healthy diet, exercise, avoiding alcohol, maintaining weight
Screening:
Mammograms (starting age varies; typically around 40-50 depending on risk)
Breast self-exams and clinical breast exams
Genetic counseling/testing if there's a strong family history
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast grow uncontrollably. These cells usually form a tumor that can be seen on an X-ray or felt as a lump. It can begin in different parts of the breast, most commonly in the ducts or lobules.
Types of Breast Cancer
Non-invasive (in situ)
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS): Cancer cells are inside the ducts and haven't spread.
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS): Abnormal cells in the lobules, not true cancer but a risk factor.
Invasive (infiltrating)
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): Most common; starts in the ducts and spreads.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): Starts in the lobules and spreads.
Other rare types
Inflammatory breast cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer
HER2-positive breast cancer
Paget’s disease of the breast
Male breast cancer (rare, but possible)
(These will be discussed in another post)
Risk Factors
Non-modifiable
Age (risk increases with age)
Gender (mostly affects women)
Family history
Genetics (BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations)
Personal history of breast conditions
Modifiable
Obesity
Alcohol use
Smoking
Lack of physical activity
Hormone replacement therapy
Radiation exposure
Symptoms
Lump in the breast or underarm
Change in breast shape or size
Dimpling or puckering of skin
Nipple discharge (especially blood)
Inverted nipple
Redness or flaky skin on the breast
Pain in any area of the breast
Diagnosis
Clinical breast exam
Imaging: Mammogram, ultrasound, MRI
Biopsy: Core needle biopsy or fine needle aspiration
Stages
Staging is based on tumor size, lymph node involvement, and metastasis (TNM system):
Stage 0: Non-invasive (DCIS)
Stage I–III: Increasing tumor size and spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes
Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant organs (metastatic)
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the type, stage, and characteristics of the tumor.
Local Treatments
Surgery:
Lumpectomy (breast-conserving)
Mastectomy (removal of the breast)
Radiation therapy
Systemic Treatments
Chemotherapy
Hormone therapy (for hormone receptor-positive cancers)
Targeted therapy (like HER2-targeted drugs)
Immunotherapy (especially in triple-negative cancers)
Prognosis
Prognosis varies widely depending on:
Stage at diagnosis
Tumor type and biology
Patient's age and health
Response to treatment
Early-stage breast cancer generally has a high survival rate, especially with prompt treatment.
Prevention & Screening
Lifestyle changes: Healthy diet, exercise, avoiding alcohol, maintaining weight
Screening:
Mammograms (starting age varies; typically around 40-50 depending on risk)
Breast self-exams and clinical breast exams
Genetic counseling/testing if there's a strong family history
Let's talk about breast cancer today
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast grow uncontrollably. These cells usually form a tumor that can be seen on an X-ray or felt as a lump. It can begin in different parts of the breast, most commonly in the ducts or lobules.
Types of Breast Cancer
Non-invasive (in situ)
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS): Cancer cells are inside the ducts and haven't spread.
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS): Abnormal cells in the lobules, not true cancer but a risk factor.
Invasive (infiltrating)
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): Most common; starts in the ducts and spreads.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): Starts in the lobules and spreads.
Other rare types
Inflammatory breast cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer
HER2-positive breast cancer
Paget’s disease of the breast
Male breast cancer (rare, but possible)
(These will be discussed in another post)
Risk Factors
Non-modifiable
Age (risk increases with age)
Gender (mostly affects women)
Family history
Genetics (BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations)
Personal history of breast conditions
Modifiable
Obesity
Alcohol use
Smoking
Lack of physical activity
Hormone replacement therapy
Radiation exposure
Symptoms
Lump in the breast or underarm
Change in breast shape or size
Dimpling or puckering of skin
Nipple discharge (especially blood)
Inverted nipple
Redness or flaky skin on the breast
Pain in any area of the breast
Diagnosis
Clinical breast exam
Imaging: Mammogram, ultrasound, MRI
Biopsy: Core needle biopsy or fine needle aspiration
Stages
Staging is based on tumor size, lymph node involvement, and metastasis (TNM system):
Stage 0: Non-invasive (DCIS)
Stage I–III: Increasing tumor size and spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes
Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant organs (metastatic)
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the type, stage, and characteristics of the tumor.
Local Treatments
Surgery:
Lumpectomy (breast-conserving)
Mastectomy (removal of the breast)
Radiation therapy
Systemic Treatments
Chemotherapy
Hormone therapy (for hormone receptor-positive cancers)
Targeted therapy (like HER2-targeted drugs)
Immunotherapy (especially in triple-negative cancers)
Prognosis
Prognosis varies widely depending on:
Stage at diagnosis
Tumor type and biology
Patient's age and health
Response to treatment
Early-stage breast cancer generally has a high survival rate, especially with prompt treatment.
Prevention & Screening
Lifestyle changes: Healthy diet, exercise, avoiding alcohol, maintaining weight
Screening:
Mammograms (starting age varies; typically around 40-50 depending on risk)
Breast self-exams and clinical breast exams
Genetic counseling/testing if there's a strong family history
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