Breast cancer is also known as �Carcinoma of the breast�. It indicates a malignant growth starting in the breast tissue that can spread to lymph nodes, bones and other parts of the body. There are many types of breast cancers, those that form in the milk glands, in the ducts that carry milk, in the fatty area or in the connective tissue of the breast.

Types of Breast Cancer?

• Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) and Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)
• Non-invasive breast cancer
• Invasive breast cancer

Less common types of breast cancer

• Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)
• Triple-negative breast cancer
• Mixed tumors
• Medullary carcinoma
• Metaplastic carcinoma
• Mucinous carcinoma
• Paget disease of the nipple
• Tubular carcinoma
• Papillary carcinoma
• Adenoid cystic carcinoma (adenocystic carcinoma)
• Phyllodes tumor
• Angiosarcoma

 

October is also known as Breast Cancer Month. 'Pink for October' is an initiative started in August 2006, in which sites all over the world change their templates to include the color pink, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. The 4th Monday of the month is considered as Pink Ribbon day. Pink is the colour to raise awareness on breast cancer. Pink Ribbon Day aims to raise awareness about breast cancer, as well as raise funds towards research, education and patient support programs.

• Breast pain, enlargement, or discomfort on one side only
• Redness on the breast
• Persistent itching of the nipple or breast
• Lump or thickening of the breast tissue
• Stabbing pain and/or soreness of the breast
• Higher temperature of the breast, like a fever
• Dimpling or puckering of the breast skin
• Flattening or retracting of the nipple
• Nipple discharge or a change in the areola (the pigmented area around the nipple)
• Swelling of the lymph nodes under the arm or above the collar bone

Risk Factors of Breast Cancer

Although the exact cause of breast cancer is not known, there are some risk factors that tend to increase the chance of occurrence of cancer. These factors are:

• Age and gender: Women above age of 55
• Previous occurrence of breast cancer
• Family History
• Breast Cancer Genes - Some individuals (both women and men) may be born with an alteration in one of two genes - BRCA1 and BRCA2 - that are important for regulating breast cell growth
• Late childbearing, usually after the age of 30
• Early menstruation (before age of 12)
• Late Menopause (after age of 55)
• Having no children
• Use of Oral Contraceptives
• Obesity - a controversial risk factor
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Prolonged hormone therapy
• Exposure to harmful radiation, chemicals, cigarette smoke over a long period of time

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Knowing the signs of the cancer can help in early detection and treatment to save life. Some of the potential breast cancer symptoms include:

• Lump or thickening in the breast or armpit - usually painless, firm to hard and usually with irregular borders
• A change in the size or shape of the breast Abnormal nipple discharge, usually bloody or clear-to-yellow or green fluid which may look like pus (purulent)
• Any flattening or indentation of the skin over your breast
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Retraction, enlargement, or itching of one nipple
• Breast pain, enlargement, or discomfort on one side only
• Pain in one spot that does not vary with your monthly cycle
• Symptoms of advanced disease are bone pain, weight loss, swelling of one arm, and skin ulceration

How to perform a BSE?

• Stand in front of a mirror and look at each breast separately and note the size, shape, colour, contour and direction of your breasts and nipples. Try to notice any of the above mentioned signs on breast and/or nipples.
• Raise your arms over your head and look at your breasts, as you turn slowly from side to side. See for any swelling or puckering of the skin.
• Lean forward and examine each breast for change in outline or dimpling of the skin.
• While examining your breasts in lying down position, use the left hand for the right breast and right and for the left breast.
• In the lying down position with the help on your three middle fingers tips, feel for any lumps or bumpy areas. While examining, apply firm pressure and make small circles as you go back or forth in a pattern covering all the breast area including the nipples. Look for any nipple discharge.
• Keep moving your hand across the nipple till you feel you have felt all parts of the breast.
• Extend the examination to the breast tissue in the underarm.
• Also, feel for lumps under and along the top of the collar bone.
• Change your hand and repeat BSE on the opposite breast.

Investigations

Any worrisome breast changes should be shown to a medical professional who may perform a physical examination including both breasts, armpits, and the area of the neck and chest. Additional tests and treatment may then be recommended:

• X-ray mammography may help identify the breast mass
• Ultrasound can identify whether the lump is solid or fluid-filled
• Needle biopsy of breast lumps can show if they are fluid-filled and provide material to send to the laboratory for analysis. In the case of very small abnormalities visible only on mammography, special techniques are necessary
• A surgical biopsy or breast lump removal provides a portion or all of a breast lump for laboratory study

If breast cancer is diagnosed, additional testing is performed, including chest X-ray and blood tests.

Treatment

Depending on the stage of disease, Mastectomy (surgical removal of lump or of full breast), Radiation (procedure to destroy the cancerous cells), Chemotherapy using specific drugs, Hormonal Therapy, Biologically Targeted Therapy or a combination of these may then be recommended. Determining the stage of the disease is important to decide the steps for treatment. In most cases, if the cancer is detected early and treated appropriately, breast cancer patients can usually lead a cancer free life.

Prevention of Breast Cancer

Efforts have focused on early detection since breast cancer is more easily treated and often curable if it is found early. Three tools for early detection of breast cancer are:

• Regular Breast Self-Examination (BSE) once a month, in the week following your menstrual period if you are age 20 or older
• Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) by a medical professional
• Screening mammography

Some Other Preventive Tips

• Increase fibre in your diet. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid canned, ready-to eat, junk and processed foods.
• Decrease your daily fat intake (especially saturated or hydrogenated fats)
• Limiting alcohol intake
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Breast-feeding for at least several months may also benefit of reducing your breast cancer risk.
• Do not use estrogen-like properties products (such as those found in some plastic bottles or certain cosmetics and personal care products)
• Quit smoking

Male Breast Cancer

Breast cancer can occur in men as well as men also contain breast tissues but small in number. It happens most often to men between the ages of 60 and 70. Breast cancer is about 100 times more common in female than male. The survival rates are equal in both. Risk factors for male breast cancer include - exposure to radiation, a family history of breast cancer and having high estrogen levels (which can occur with diseases like cirrhosis or Klinefelter�s syndrome.

Symptoms could be - painless lump in the breast, changes to the nipple or breast skin, nipple discharges, nipple retraction, breast ulceration or swelling, swollen lump glands under the arms. Treatment for male breast cancer is usually a mastectomy, which is surgery to remove the breast. Other treatments include radiation, chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy.