What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a condition wherein cells in the breast grow beyond control. There are various types of breast cancer. The type of cancer depends upon which cells in the breast transform into cancer. Breast cancer can start in any part of the breast. A breast is comprised of three primary parts: lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. The lobules are the glands that produce milk. The ducts are tubes that convey milk to the nipple. The connective tissue encompasses and holds everything together. Most breast cancers start in the ducts or lobules. Breast cancer can spread outside the breast through blood vessels and lymphatics.When breast cancer spreads to different parts of the body, it is said to have metastasized.
What are the types of breast cancer?
Breast cancers are broadly categorised into two groups: the earliest breast cancers are called ‘in situ’ cancers. Majority of the breast cancers are ‘invasive breast cancers’, which means that they have grown or invaded beyond the ducts or lobules of the breast into the surrounding breast tissue.
Depending upon the origin of breast cancer and the invasion, the most widely recognized sorts of malignant growth in the breast include:
- Ductal carcinoma in situ: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a noninvasive condition. With DCIS, the malignancy cells are restricted to the ducts in your breast and haven't attacked the encompassing breast tissue.
- Lobular carcinoma in situ: Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is malignancy that fills in the milk-creating organs of your breast. Like DCIS, the malignant growth cells haven't attacked the encompassing tissue.
- Invasive ductal carcinoma: Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is the most widely recognized kind of breast cancer. This kind of breast cancer starts in your breast’s milk ducts and later invades the surrounding breast tissue. It also has the capacity to spread to other parts of the body.
- Invasive lobular carcinoma: Intrusive lobular carcinoma (ILC) first starts in your breast’s lobules and later spreads to the surrounding breast tissues.
What kind of breast problems do most women have?
Common breast problems include:
- A change in the size or shape of the breast.
- Breast lump.
- Lump in the arm pit.
- Breast heaviness.
- Breast pain.
- Nipple discharge- fluid leaking from the nipple.
- Nipple inversion- nipples point inward instead of outward.
- Ulcer over the breast.
- Pitting or redness of the skin of the breast, like the outside of an orange.
- Peeling, chipping, or scaling of the skin on the bosom or nipple.
These problems can happen in women of all ages. if you develop any of these problems, do visit your doctor and get it checked. Most breast lumps are not cancerous. But if there is something serious going on , it is important to find it quickly and get treated.
Can breast cancer be prevented?
Women who are at high risk of getting breast cancer can sometimes take some tablets to prevent the disease.If you have a strong family history of breast cancer , consult your doctor to know more about what you can do to prevent cancer.