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Table of Contents

About Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Basics

Diagnosis & Staging

Risk Factors & Genetics

Benign Breast Conditions

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells in the breast grow uncontrollably and form a tumor. These cancer cells can invade nearby tissue and, in some cases, spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, bones, lungs, liver, or brain.

It can affect both women and men, though it is far more common in women.

How Breast Cancer Starts

Breast cancer most often begins in:

  • Milk ducts (ductal carcinoma)
  • Milk-producing lobules (lobular carcinoma)

Over time, these abnormal cells multiply faster than normal cells and may form a lump or mass.

Common Signs and Symptoms

Some people have no symptoms at first, which is why screening is so important. Possible signs include:

  • A new lump in the breast or armpit
  • Changes in breast shape or size
  • Skin changes (dimpling, redness, thickening)
  • Nipple changes (inversion, discharge)
  • Persistent breast pain in one area

Causes and Risk Factors

There is no single cause, but risk increases with:

  • Age
  • Family history or genetic mutations (such as BRCA1/BRCA2)
  • Hormone exposure
  • Dense breast tissue
  • Lifestyle factors (alcohol, inactivity, obesity)

While certain factors increase risk, many people who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors at all.

Types of Breast Cancer

Some of the main types include:

  • Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) – the most common type of breast cancer
  • Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) – non-invasive, early stage
  • Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)
  • HER2-positive, hormone-receptor-positive, and triple-negative breast cancers (based on tumor biology)

Detection and Treatment

Breast cancer is commonly detected through:

  • Mammograms
  • Ultrasound or MRI
  • Biopsy

Treatment depends on the type and stage and may include:

  • Surgery
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormone therapy
  • Targeted or immunotherapy

 

A Closing Message

When breast cancer is found early, survival rates are very high. Regular self-checks, clinical exams, and mammograms save lives.

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