Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Causes and Prevention

December 20, 2019
Ruchi Singh

Overview

Breast Anatomy

Breast cancer is cancer that improves in breast cells. Breast Cancer is the most common type of cancer developed in women’s breasts. Usually, this type of cancer forms in either the ducts or lobules or of the breast. Lobules are the glands that produce milk, and ducts are the pathways that bring the milk from the glands to the nipple. Also, Cancer can occur in the fatty tissue or the fibrous connective tissue within your breast.

Breast Anatomy: Each breast contains 15 to 20 lobes of glandular tissue, arranged like the petals of a daisy. The lobes are further divided into smaller lobules that produce milk for breast-feeding. Small tubes (ducts) conduct the milk to a reservoir that lies just beneath your nipple.

Types

  • Angiosarcoma
  • Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
  • Inflammatory breast cancer
  • Invasive lobular carcinoma
  • Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
  • Male breast cancer
  • Paget’s disease of the breast
  • Recurrent breast cancer

Symptoms

Nipple changes

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include:

  • A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue
  • Change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast
  • Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling
  • A newly inverted nipple
  • Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple (areola) or breast skin
  • Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange

Nipple Changes: Breast and nipple changes can be a sign of breast cancer. Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice anything unusual.

When to see a doctor

If you find a lump or other change in your breast — even if a recent mammogram was normal — make an appointment with your doctor for prompt evaluation.

Breast Cancer Treatment

Your doctor will determine your breast cancer’s size, stage, and grade (how likely it is to grow and spread). After that, you can discuss your treatment options. Surgery is the best treatment option for breast cancer. Various women have additional treatments, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation, or hormone therapy.