What is breast cancer? Breast cancer develops from a cancer cell that grows on the lining of a pore or lobe in one of the breasts. When breast cancer has spread to the surrounding breast tissue, it is called “invasive” breast cancer. Some people are diagnosed with “in situ carcinoma”, where no cancer cells have developed beyond the pore or lobe. Most cases develop in women over the age of 50, but sometimes younger women are also affected. Breast cancer can develop in men although this is rare. Staging means how big the cancer is and if it has spread. Stage 1 is the earliest stage and stage 4 means that the cancer has spread to another part of the body. Cancer cells are classified from low, which means slow growth, to high, which grows fast. High-grade cancers are more likely to recur after their first treatment. What Causes Breast Cancer? A cancerous tumor starts from an abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. Something is thought to damage or alter certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiplies “out of control”. Although breast cancer can develop for no apparent reason, there are some risk factors that can increase the chance of developing breast cancer, such as genetic cancer. What are the symptoms of breast cancer? The usual first symptom is a painless lump in the breast, although most breast lumps are not cancerous and are fluid-filled cysts, which are benign. The first place that breast cancer usually spreads is to the lymph nodes in the armpit. If this happens, you will experience swelling or a lump in your armpit. How is breast cancer diagnosed?
Initial assessment: The doctor examines the breasts and armpits. They can do tests such as a mammogram, a special x-ray of the breast tissue that can indicate the possibility of tumors. Biopsy: A biopsy is when a small sample of tissue is removed from a part of the body. The sample is then examined under a microscope to look for abnormal cells. The sample can confirm or rule out cancer.
If it is confirmed that you have breast cancer, further tests may be needed to assess if it has spread. For example, blood tests, liver ultrasound or chest x-ray. How is breast cancer treated? Treatment options that may be considered include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. A combination of two or more of these treatments is often used.
Surgery: Breast preservation surgery or removal of the affected breast depending on the size of the tumor. Radiation therapy: A treatment that uses high-energy radiation beams that focus on cancerous tissue. This kills the cancer cells or stops the cancer cells from multiplying. It is mainly used in addition to surgery. Chemotherapy: A treatment for cancer using anti-cancer drugs that kill cancer cells or prevent them from multiplying Hormone treatments: Some types of breast cancer are affected by the “female” hormone estrogen, which can stimulate cancer cells to divide and multiply. Treatments that reduce the levels of these hormones or block their action are commonly used in people with breast cancer.
How successful is the treatment? The outlook is better for those diagnosed when the cancer is still small and has not spread. Surgical removal of a tumor at an early stage can then give a good chance of healing. Routine mammography offered to women between the ages of 50 and 70 means that most breast cancers are diagnosed and treated at an early stage. For more information, visit breastcancercare.org.uk, breastcancernow.org or www.cancerhelp.org.uk
