| ction | | | | However, breast cancer can be treated |
| Breast Cancer is a form of cancer that occurs in | | | | effectively if it is detected in an early stage. Self |
| the breast tissue. Although the breast is made up | | | | Breast Examination for lumps and unusual changes |
| of similar tissues in both males and females, | | | | should be carried out each month, preferably at |
| breast cancer occurs mostly in females. | | | | the same time each month to minimize effects of |
| Causes | | | | menstruation. A clinical breast examination should |
| Like other cancers, breast cancer is an | | | | be done once every year from ages 29 — |
| uncontrollable growth of breast cells, and is caused | | | | 39, and once every year from the age of 40. |
| due to the mutation of certain genes present in | | | | Diagnosis |
| your breast cells. This mutation can either be | | | | Primary diagnosis is done using mammography, an |
| genetically inherited, i.e. it might have come from | | | | x-ray of the breast. If breast cancer is suspected |
| your parents, or it happened during changes in | | | | or diagnosed, this is followed by MRI (Magnetic |
| your body, like aging or due to life in general. | | | | Resonance Imaging) and PET Scans. |
| Breast Cancer can also occur due to hormonal | | | | Treatment |
| changes in the body, like during menopause. | | | | The main form of treatment used for Breast |
| Types of Breast Cancer | | | | Cancer is surgery. Depending on the size of the |
| Breast Cancers can be divided into four types | | | | tumour, it can be lumpectomy, also known as |
| based on the location they occur and whether it is | | | | breast conserving surgery, where only the |
| a local one or not. | | | | tumour is removed, or mastectomy, where the |
| 1. Ductal Carcinoma in Situ, or DCIS | | | | entire breast is removed. Both forms of surgery |
| 2. Lobular Carcinoma in situ or LCIS | | | | are usually followed by radiotherapy, which is a |
| 3. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma or IDC | | | | form of treatment by exposure to radiation, to |
| 4. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma or ILC | | | | stop the cancer from spreading. Another major |
| Breast Cancer normally occurs either in the milk | | | | form of treatment is chemotherapy, where |
| duct (Ductal), or in the lobules (Lobular) or glands | | | | treatment is done through various forms of |
| that make milk. Both can either be in situ, | | | | drugs. These drugs interfere with the growth of |
| meaning it remains where it started and does not | | | | cancer cells, and thus help curing cancer. Breast |
| spread, or it may be invasive, meaning it | | | | cancer can also be treated using hormone |
| spreads into the surrounding tissues. Carcinoma is | | | | therapy, using chemicals to stop activities of |
| a word used for any cancer that begins in the | | | | certain hormones. Hormone therapy can only be |
| skins or tissues covering internal organs. | | | | used if the cancer cells are responsive to |
| Early Detection | | | | hormones, and have varied side effects, ranging |
| There are no ways to prevent breast cancer. | | | | from vaginal dryness and weak bones to infertility. |