What you need to know about Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a disease in which there is an abnormal growth in the number of cells present in the breast. It occurs mostly in women and rarely in men. Worldwide, It is one of the leading causes of death in women and it remains a worldwide public health challenge.

Going forward in this article, we will be looking at the types, causes, signs, and symptoms of breast cancer and the diagnosis and screening of breast cancer.

The Early detection of breast cancer in individuals will help reduce its rate. So it is important to know about what breast cancer is.

Source: World Cancer Research 

TYPES OF BREAST CANCER

There are different precancer lesions and types of breast cancer and treatment is being given by healthcare specialists depending on which types.

Some of the most common precancer lesions and types of breast cancer include :

1) Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)

It is a non-invasive precancer breast lesion and the most common type. In this type of precancer breast lesion, numerous abnormal cells are found within the lining of the breast duct and are yet to spread out of the ducts into the breast tissue, unlike the Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) that spreads to the surrounding breast tissue.

2) Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)

This is the most common type of breast cancer. It starts from the milk duct and spreads to the surrounding breast tissues if not detected on time. It can spread out of the breast through some vessels into nearby or distant body organs (such as lymph nodes in the armpits, lungs, liver, backbone, etc.) and affect vital functions.

Source: Harvard Health 

3) Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)

Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS) is a type of breast cancer where numerous abnormal cells are found in multiple lobules of the breast surrounded by a lining and are yet to spread to the surrounding breast tissues It can also lead to Invasive Lobular Carcinoma.

4) Invasive Lobular Carcinoma ( ILC) 

It begins in the breast lobules and later gets spread out to the surrounding breast tissue. It’s a progressive form of Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS) and can spread out of the breast through some vessels into nearby or distant body organs too (such as lymph nodes in the armpits, lungs, liver, backbone, etc.) and affect vital functions.

There are other types based on the hormone status of the breast cancer which can influence the type of treatment.

a) HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

This type of cancer expresses a protein that stimulates the growth of abnormal cells leading to breast cancer. Some drugs antagonise this protein and are effective in the treatment of this type of cancer.

b) Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) 

This type of breast cancer tends to grow rapidly. The hormones and proteins responsible for the growth of breasts are not found in the cancer tumour. It can be difficult to treat.

RISK FACTORS OF BREAST CANCER.

Some factors contribute to the development of breast cancer, some of them include:

1) Age

As one gets older, there is a tendency to get breast cancer because most breast cancers are diagnosed in women between the ages of 50 and above. However, breast cancer has been seen in many younger women nowadays too.

2) Genetic 

Breast cancer can be a result of inherited mutation. Mutation is a change in one’s traits or DNA sequence and these traits are heritable. Hence, a history of breast cancer in the family poses a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

3) Lifestyle 

Some certain kinds of lifestyle can also cause breast cancer, some of which include excessive intake of alcohol, overweight, and processed foods.

4) Radiation

Radiation exposure can damage the DNA which can lead to uncontrolled cell growth, leading to the development of breast cancer. Radiation therapy which is also used as a treatment to kill cancer cells can affect other surrounding tissues which will increase the risk of developing cancer.

Source: cancer.gov

5) Breast Tissue

Women having firm textured breasts have a higher risk of getting breast cancer than women with soft breasts. These tissues make it difficult for tumours to be felt and detected on time.

6) Hormonal Changes 

Hormones that promote the growth of breasts can also lead to breast cancer if there is a mutation. These hormones are responsible for the growth of breast tissue which carries a risk of breast cancer.

7) Personal History

Women who have had breast cancer before, are likely to develop breast cancer again in the other breast which can be referred to as recurrent breast cancer. It is advisable to adopt a healthy lifestyle, maintain a healthy weight, and limit the intake of alcohol.