The condition termed cancer is characterized by inappropriate cell growth. These cancerous cells can form tumors and can metastasize to neighboring tissue. When this occurs in the breast, it is called breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the US. Men can get breast cancer, though it’s much less common. Each year, 2,400 men and more than 260,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Most breast cancers begin in the tube-shaped ducts of the breast. In females, similar ducts connect the lobules, or milk-producing glands, to the nipples; male breasts have similar ducts and a few glands, but they don’t usually produce milk. Sometimes, breast cancers start in the lobules, and very infrequently, in the fatty and fibrous connective tissue of the breast.
Metastatic breast cancer is that in which the disease has spread to other human tissues and organs.
Between 1989 and 2019, deaths from breast cancer in women have decreased by more than 40% with better treatments and early detection and diagnosis.
The U.S. Cancer Statistics estimated the death rate from breast cancer at around 20 per 100,000 women between 2015 and 2019.
Understanding risk factors, prevention methods, and what to expect during diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer is very important.
Types
Breast cancer falls into categories depending on where the carcinoma began and has spread. Typical breast cancers are:
● Early-stage breast duct cancer is referred to as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Since cancer hasn’t spread to other areas of the body, it is non-invasive. Ninety-five percent of people survive after ten years of diagnosis.
● IDC, or invasive ductal carcinoma: This is the most common type of breast cancer and is also known as infiltrating ductal carcinoma.10 It invades more breast tissue from the duct lining once begun. As an invasive cancer, it can travel through your blood system or your lymphatic system which is part of your immune system to other parts of your body.
● Invasive lobular carcinoma, or ILC, is an invasive malignancy that begins in the lobules and extends into the surrounding tissue.
Rare breast cancers do occur. For example, IBC is a very rare and aggressive type.
Women less than 40 years are more likely to get this.
Breast cancers can be staged by a doctor by using the following:
● Location and size of the tumor
● The number and location of involved lymph nodes (organs that help in defense of the body against infection)
● The spread of cancer cells to other tissues and/or organs is referred to as metastasis.
● Tumor grade, which is defined by the abnormality of the cells and how fast a tumor grows
● Progesterone and estrogen receptor status, which is whether or not cancer cells produce these hormone-specific proteins
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, which is a protein that speeds up the progression of breast cancer.
An oncologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. He or she can, therefore, select an appropriate treatment strategy depending on the type of cancer.
It may be difficult to detect male breast cancer in the breast tissue alone. To determine the stage of the malignancy, a medical professional may also conduct scans of other body parts, such as the chest and abdomen.
Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of breast cancer can vary, and many people, especially in the early stages, have no symptoms at all. For this reason, regular screening mammograms are crucial. One kind of X-ray that can find tiny tumors before you can feel them is a mammogram.
But mammography is not always accurate, so you should also learn to recognize what is and is not normal for your breasts.
● An unexpected bulge in the armpit or breast
● Breast size or form changes, such as swelling, thickness, or shrinking
● Pitting or dimples in the skin (like an orange peel
● Dry, flaking, red, or thicker breast or nipple skin
● Nipple or breast pain
● A painful nipple or one that turns inward
● The nipple’s milky or bloody discharge
● enlarged lymph nodes around the collarbone or beneath the armpit
Reasons
Breathing begins when mutated cells of the breast multiply and replicate unconstrained. A tumor consists of a mass of tissues composed of these abnormal cells. There are many different reasons why this might happen. Your cells may suffer damage to their ability to repair DNA mutations that occur because of inherited gene mutations that are passed down the generations of a family. More often than not, environmental or lifestyle elements may lead to your cells developing into cancer even if you are not genetically disposed towards breast cancer.
Risk Factors
Although breast cancer is most common among those assigned female at birth, regardless of your sex, there are a number of factors that can increase your chances of developing the disease. Among them are:
● Being fifty years of age or older
● Obesity or being overweight, especially if older
● Some genes (such as BRCA1 and BRCA2) are inherited.
● Breast cancer in the family
● Having a benign condition of the breasts
● Receiving radiation therapy to the chest
● Receiving estrogen-containing hormone therapy (for example, for menopausal symptoms)
● Chronic alcohol use
● Prolonged periods of inactivity
● However, there are differences between breast cancer in men and women.
The following particular risk factors have been associated with female breast cancer:
● Dense breast tissue
● First period at an early age (before age 12)
● Menopause after age 55
● Family history of ovarian cancer (in a first-degree relative)
● Exposure to the synthetic estrogen DES (diethylstilbestrol)
● Higher bone density
● Never having given birth
● Never having breastfed
● Primigravidas who are ≥ 35 years of age
● Naturally having high estrogen levels
● Using combined forms of oral contraceptives – though discontinuing them makes one no longer at risk
Generally, there has not as yet been such large studies on male breast cancers compared to female breast cancer but one the few factors that can be described is those which might increase your risk of developing male breast cancer:
● XXY chromosomes, or extra X chromosomes, is referred to as Klinefelter syndrome, a rare condition.
● Testicular alterations, such as injury, enlargement, inflammation, or surgical removal
● Liver disease
Breast cancer is not a direct consequence of any of these risk factors. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to reduce your risk and how to stay up-to-date on your screening.
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control.
Making a diagnosis
Diagnostic techniques and tests may be carried out by doctors while determining breast cancer. Based on the USPSTF, cisgender women who were assigned female at birth need to have mammograms every other year starting at age 40 as of May 2024.
Common diagnosis:
● A medical history in addition to any recent change is asked by a medical expert about your health during a general examination.
● Blood test: These tests determine the health status of your organs and tissues based on the chemicals found in your blood sample.
● Breast exam: The medical provider examines your breasts for lumps or abnormalities.
● A mammogram is a breast X-ray, which searches for any malignant growth. It is the most commonly used diagnostic method to detect breast cancer.
● Ultrasound: This is used to determine whether the tumor is benign or malignant by seeing it.
● Magnetic resonance imaging, an imaging technique, may give pictures of your tissues and organs. It is usually done on women who are at a high risk of developing breast cancer.
● A biopsy is a laboratory procedure in which a sample of your breast tissue is taken and the cells analyzed
Once a diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor will conduct additional tests and procedures to identify the sites where the cancer has spread, evaluate the stage of the disease, and identify features of your individual cancer that may guide your treatment. These may include:
Additional radiographic tests of images
● Scan of bone structures
● Determination of the content of progesterone and estrogen receptors in malignant tissue using laboratory testing.
● Quantity of the HER2 gene and protein of malignant tissue is measured through examination using laboratory testing
● Genes are identified to carry some risk of causing breast cancers with multigene testing involving genes BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2
Therapy
Treatment for breast cancer differs according to the type of cancer, its size, stage, and hormone sensitivity, as well as the patient’s age and general health. Based on your health, you will receive one or more of the following treatments if you have breast cancer:
Surgery: This may include a lumpectomy or other breast-conserving operation, where the malignant tissue of the breast along with some of the healthy surrounding tissues are removed, leaving the breast intact. Mastectomy is another type, involving the removal of the malignant breast and possibly nearby lymph nodes if needed.
Radiation therapy: This kills cancer cells in some areas of the body by radiation. It may be done as a follow-up treatment to surgery or in case cancer has already spread out of the breast to other parts of the body. Options include Brachytherapy and external beam radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy: To check the progression of cancer cells, chemo drugs are intravenously given. Most commonly, it is used to treat metastatic cancer; it can be applied either as a solo therapy or as adjuvant or neoadjuvant in various phases of treatment.
Hormone therapy: if cancer cells have receptors to either progesterone or estrogen, then the availability of the latter may stimulate the development of cancer. It means that by offering anti-hormone treatment, progesterone or estrogen would either not reach cancerous cells or the levels in your body will be minimized.
Targeted therapy: These drugs focus on specific features of the cancer cells, therefore, preventing them from reproducing. One of such targeted drugs is trastuzumab, designed for HER2-positive breast cancers.
Immunotherapy: This treatment boosts your immune response against the cancerous cells. You may receive one medication designed to enhance your response or a chemical naturally found in your body that your body requires more.
Discuss potential treatment side effects with your healthcare provider. In addition to these choices, you might participate in a clinical study for new breast cancer treatment options, where scientists are studying their effectiveness and safety.
Avoidance
Breast cancer is unavoidable. However, its prevention can be diminished. These are some possible measures on reducing your risk in obtaining it: Proper care of your healthy body; this includes maintaining weight fitness, proper resting periods and minimizing daily tensions in daily work. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. “Physical Activity, Diet and a Healthy Weight”,.
● A balanced diet that limits red and processed meat and is rich in fruits and vegetables, such as the Mediterranean diet, may also decrease your risk.
● Regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. Do at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, or 75 minutes of strenuous exercise, such as running.
● Limit your alcohol use: The American Cancer Society recommends avoiding alcohol altogether or limiting daily intake to one drink for women and two for men.
● Consider non-hormonal treatments to help manage menopausal symptoms: After menopause, hormone therapy may increase your risk of breast cancer. Your physician can recommend other treatments for hot flashes and stress related to menopause.
● Consider breastfeeding: Deciding to breastfeed immediately after delivery may decrease the level of estrogen in your breasts, thus lowering your likelihood of contracting breast cancer.
● Consider the risks of taking the pill: Though there is limited information, taking combined oral contraceptives increases the risk of breast cancer in women.Discuss with your physician whether you should try alternative birth control methods or the pill.
Tests for Prevention
This will help you know of breast changes and genetic predisposition to breast cancer for the reduction of the risks and early detection of cancer.
Genetic Testing
If you or someone in your family had a history of breast cancer, consult your healthcare provider regarding genetic testing. In general, this involves testing your DNA sample in a laboratory by taking a sample through blood or saliva. This could determine if you carry a particular gene mutation that’s linked to a higher breast cancer risk.
It is established that certain individuals are more susceptible to BRCA gene mutations. The frequency of having one or more BRCA gene mutations might be higher among individuals belonging to Ashkenazi Jewish, West African, Dutch, Belgian, Icelandic, or Swiss origin, especially when you have a family history of breast cancer as well.
Screenings for Breast Cancer
When to be screened is usually the question that first comes to your mind. This will be determined by your own risk for breast cancer.
Some risks are more significant than others. You are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer if you have a personal medical history of breast cancer, a genetic or hereditary history of the disease, or a history of chest radiation (before the age of 30).
Experts recommend starting regular tests earlier in life if you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. For men, this may start at age 35, and for women, it may start at age 30.
Breast exams
You can learn what is and is not normal for your breasts with regular breast exams. During your yearly checkup, your doctor could do a clinical breast exam. They can teach you how to do this self-examination, also known as a breast self-examination, on your own schedule. Official medical associations’ tutorials are another resource.
Another preventive measure is the breast exam, and even if there is not enough evidence that this can change your risk for the disease, if you have a high risk of breast cancer, you can always undergo a breast exam for early diagnosis. However, performing a breast exam as the only means of diagnosing cancer is not recommended. Instead, experts advise proceeding with regular screening procedures like mammograms.
Other Options for High Risk Individuals
Even in the absence of cancer, there are other preventive measures you can take if you have a higher likelihood of developing female breast cancer, like a mutation in the BRCA gene.
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. alternatives for women with mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Inquire with your doctor about taking antiestrogens, which stop cells from producing or utilizing estrogen. Preventive surgery is an additional option to help reduce your risk. This could be a procedure to remove your ovaries and fallopian tubes (prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy) or your breast tissue (bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy).