Breast cancer

Sometimes, people get sick in their breasts.

This can feel like a hard lump. The skin might look red or dimpled.

Doctors use a special X-ray to look inside. This test is called a mammogram. It helps find tiny changes early. Finding it early helps people get well. Doctors may also use a small needle to check the area.

This is called a biopsy. It tells the doctor exactly what is happening. Finding sickness early is very important.

Breast cancer is a sickness that starts in breast tissue.

Most people have no signs at first. They might find a lump during a checkup. A lump might feel hard or have uneven edges. Other signs include skin that looks dimpled or red. Some people see fluid coming from the nipple.

Doctors use a test called mammography to find cancer. This is a special X-ray of the breast. It helps find small tumors early. Finding cancer early helps people get better. If a doctor finds a spot, they may do a biopsy. A biopsy is when a doctor uses a needle to take a tiny piece of tissue. This tells them if it is cancer.

Cancer can start in different parts. Most start in the milk ducts. These are the tubes that carry milk. Others start in the lobules. These are the parts that make milk. Doctors use many ways to treat it. They may use surgery to remove the cancer. They might also use medicine or radiation. In the US and UK, over 90% of people survive for five years.

Breast cancer is a disease that starts in the tissue of the breast.

It is the most common type of cancer for women around the world. In 2018, there were two million new cases and 627,000 deaths. This disease is much more common in women than in men. It is also more frequent in developed countries. Understanding how it works helps people stay healthy.

Most breast cancers grow in specific parts of the breast. About 85% of cases are ductal carcinomas, which start in the milk ducts. These are the tubes that carry milk. About 10% are lobular carcinomas, which start in the lobules. Lobules are the parts that supply milk to the ducts. There are also over 18 other sub-types of this cancer. Some types, like mucinous carcinoma, are much rarer.

Doctors use several ways to find and check for cancer. One common way is mammography, which uses low-dose X-rays.

This test can find small tumors before they can be felt. If a doctor sees something, they may perform a biopsy. A biopsy uses a hollow needle to take a tiny piece of tissue.

This helps doctors confirm if the tissue is actually cancer. They also check for proteins like estrogen receptors to pick the best treatment.

Many things can change the risk of developing breast cancer. Some risks come from things we cannot change, like getting older. Having a family history of the disease is another factor. About five to ten percent of cases come from inherited genes, like BRCA mutations. Other risks include obesity or not getting enough exercise. Some people may also be at higher risk due to hormone therapy.

There are many ways to treat breast cancer once it is found. Doctors might use surgery to remove the tumor or the whole breast. This is called a mastectomy.

They may also use radiation, chemotherapy, or special hormone therapies. Some people might even use medicine to prevent cancer if they are at high risk. In the United States and the UK, the five-year survival rate is over 90%.

This shows how important early testing can be.

Breast cancer is a disease that begins in the tissues of the breast. It is currently the leading type of cancer among women worldwide. In 2018 alone, there were two million new cases and 627,000 deaths reported.

While it is much more common in women than in men, it can affect men too. For transgender individuals on gender-affirming hormone therapy, the rates vary significantly. It is five times more common in cisgender women than in transgender men. It is also 46 times more common in transgender women than in cisgender men.

Most breast cancers develop in specific structures within the breast. About 85% of cases are known as ductal carcinomas. These cancers arise from the lining of the milk ducts, which are the tubes that carry milk. About 10% are lobular carcinomas, which start in the lobules. Lobules are the parts of the breast that supply milk to the ducts.

There are more than 18 other sub-types of breast cancer. These include rarer forms like mucinous carcinoma, which is surrounded by mucin. Other types include tubular, medullary, and papillary carcinomas. Some cancers are also classified as carcinoma in situ. This means the cancerous cells have not yet spread beyond their original location.

Detecting breast cancer early is a critical part of managing the disease. Many people have no symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Instead, their tumors are found through screening tests. The most common screening is mammography, which uses low-dose X-ray imaging.

During a mammogram, each breast is pressed between two plates. Radiologists look for dense areas, distorted tissue, or small flecks called microcalcifications. They often use the Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System, or BI-RADS, to report results. A higher BI-RADS number indicates a greater risk of cancer.

Screening is very effective, as it can reduce breast cancer deaths by at least 20%.

If a screening test shows a possible tumor, doctors must confirm the diagnosis. They often use additional imaging like ultrasound or a diagnostic mammogram. The definitive step is a biopsy, where a sample of tissue is removed.

This is typically done using a core needle biopsy with a hollow needle. In some cases, doctors use fine-needle aspiration for fluid-filled areas. About 10% to 20% of these biopsies turn out to be positive for cancer. Most biopsies actually reveal benign conditions, such as fibrocystic breast changes. These are non-cancerous growths or pockets of fluid.

Once cancer is confirmed, doctors use several methods to treat it. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and targeted therapy. Surgical options range from breast-conserving surgery to a mastectomy, which is the removal of the breast.

Some patients may also undergo breast reconstruction at the time of surgery or later.

For patients whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body, treatment focuses on comfort and quality of life. This spread is called metastasis. Cancer can move to the bones, liver, lungs, or brain. For example, bone metastases can cause pain and even fractures.

Many factors can influence the risk of developing breast cancer. Some are related to lifestyle, such as obesity, lack of exercise, or alcohol consumption. Others are related to biology, such as older age or early menstruation. A small group of people, about 5% to 10%, have an inherited genetic predisposition. This often involves mutations in genes like BRCA.

Doctors can also use medications like tamoxifen or raloxifene to help prevent cancer in high-risk individuals. In some cases, surgical removal of the breasts is used as a preventive measure.

Medical science uses complex systems to classify and grade tumors. Doctors grade tumors based on how much they look like healthy tissue. They look at how many cells are replicating and the appearance of the cell nucleus. This helps determine if a cancer is slow-growing or aggressive.

They also test for specific proteins using immunohistochemistry. These include the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2. Knowing if a tumor is "hormone receptor-positive" helps doctors choose the right hormone therapies. This detailed classification is essential for determining a person's prognosis and the best path forward.