Breast Cancer - 101

The cancer is a term for diseases in which5) Treatment with radiation therapy to the breast
abnormal cells divide uncontrollably invading nearchest.
by tissue and spreading to other parts of theWomen who have an altered gene related to
body via blood stream or lymphatic system.breast cancer and who have had breast cancer in
Similarly, in breast cancer, a single cell begins toone breast have an increased risk of developing
divide and grow abnormally. This is the mostbreast cancer in the other breast. These women
common kind of cancer in women. Besides beingalso have an increased risk of developing ovarian
women, age is the other important factor forcancer, and may have an increased risk of
developing breast cancer.developing other cancers.
The breast is made up of lobes and ducts. EachTests related to detect and diagnose breast
breast has 15 to 20 sections called lobes, whichcancer are:
have many smaller sections called lobules. Lobules1) Mammogram - In which X ray is done of the
end in dozens of tiny bulbs that can produce milk.breast.
The lobes, lobules, and bulbs are linked by thin2) Biopsy - The removal of cells or tissues so
tubes called ducts.they can be viewed under a microscope by a
The breast cancer is classified into:pathologist to check for signs of cancer. If a lump
-Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)in the breast is found, the doctor may need to
-Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)cut out a small piece of the lump.
-Inflammatory breast cancer3) Estrogen and progesterone receptor test: A
-Recurrent breast cancertest to measure the amount of estrogen and
The most common type of breast cancer isprogesterone (hormones) receptors in cancer
ductal carcinoma, which begins in the cells of thetissue. If cancer is found in the breast, tissue
ducts. Cancer that begins in the lobes or lobules isfrom the tumor is examined in the laboratory to
called lobular carcinoma and is more often found infind out whether estrogen and progesterone could
both breasts than are other types of breastaffect the way cancer grows. The test results
cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is anshow whether hormone therapy may stop the
uncommon type of breast cancer in which thecancer from growing.
breast is warm, red, and swollen. RecurrentThere are different 4 types of treatment option
breast cancer that has come back after it hasfor breast cancer patients:
been treated.1) Surgery- Most patients with breast cancer
Early detection through regular breast self-examshave surgery to remove the cancer from the
and a regular program of mammogram andbreast.
physical exams show excellent results in curing it.2) Radiation therapy - Radiation therapy is a
Breast self exam is the process developed by thecancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or
American cancer society for women to examineother types of radiation to kill cancer cells.
the breasts monthly. This process can reveal3) Chemotherapy -Chemotherapy is a cancer
breast problem. Any swelling or unusual lumps ortreatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of
hardness in the breast is the indication of breastcancer cells, either by killing the cells or by
disease and a reason to rush to your doctor.stopping the cells from dividing.
There are various factors, which increases the4) Hormone therapy - Hormone therapy is a
chance of getting disease as a breast cancer. Like:cancer treatment that removes hormones or
1) Older ageblocks their action and stops cancer cells from
2) A mother or sister with breast cancer.growing. Hormones are substances produced by
3) Drinking alcoholic beverages.glands in the body and circulated in the
4) Being white.bloodstream.