Live Life Team
Breast cancer is a very common cancer amongst women. Regardless of the age, a woman might be affected by breast cancer, and in a few cases, men.
Breast Anatomy
A breast comprises of tiny glands (globules) that produce milk, connective tissue, and fat. For breastfeeding mothers, very small tubes in the breast known as ducts release milk to nipple. Breast cancer is a thickening or a lump in breast tissue, though most are noncancerous. Breast cancer varies depending on which part of the breast is infected, but ductal cancer amounts to 80% of all breast cancer. Lobular breast cancer and inflammatory breast cancer and Paget’s disease are other types of cancer.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
It is advisable to see your general practitioner if you develop any of the following:
Pain in either armpits or breast unrelated to your menstrual cycles.
A rash in the area of your nipple or around it, change in nipple appearance like sinking into the breast.
A swelling or a lump in either armpits or breasts.
Change in the shape or size of either or both breast.
A dimpling on breast skin.
Bloody discharge from nipples.
A lump in the breast may not necessarily indicate breast cancer. Approximately 90% of lumps are non-cancerous. A cyst (fluid-filled small lump) or fibroadenoma (common benign growths) could also cause a lump in the breast. Lumpy breasts just before a menstrual cycle or a period is common. Nevertheless, noticing a change in either or both breasts as above should always be checked by with your general practitioner. Getting to know what a normal breast looks like will help in spotting any changes to the breast. Check breasts before dressing or in a bath or in a shower. The best time to check breasts would be after a menstrual cycle as lumpy breasts are a common occurrence before a menstrual cycle.
Diagnosing Breast Cancer
A blood test to check of overall health and to find out if your kidneys and liver are functioning properly.
Mammogram. A mammogram is a procedure where x-rays are used to get an image of your breasts. This image helps in identifying early changes to the breast tissue that may otherwise not be discovered. For a woman under 35 years, since her breasts are dense, a mammogram may not show a clear image and an ultrasound may be suggested.
Ultrasound of the breast. This is useful for women below 35 years of age as their breasts are dense for mammograms. Ultrasound is used to also determine if a lump is solid or has liquid in it.
Biopsy. Biopsy is the process where a tissue sample is taken and tested for cancer.
MRI scan or CT scan.
Chest x-ray to determine if the cancer has spread to the lungs.
Bone scan to determine if the cancer has spread to the bone.
Treatment
Treatment is usually a combination of radiotherapy, surgery, and chemotherapy. In a few cases, it may include biological or hormone therapies. The treatment type is based on the breast cancer type, cancer stage, grade, and general health condition.
