Breast cancer is of various types. It may affect milk ducts or milk glands.Ductal carcinoma is more common.
There are different stages of breast cancer:
Stage1: the carcinoma is in situ
Stage2: the cancer is restricted to the breast tissue and there is no involvement of the lymph nodes
Stage 3: The cancer is restricted to the breast tissues with involvement of the regional lymph nodes.
Stage 4: metastasis occurs.
Causes and risk factors:
The exact cause of cancer is not known. Breast cancer is more prominent in females and the risks increases as the age of the patients starts increases. High cholesterol levels and iodine deficiency play a role. Obesity, Genetic factors and a strong family history are the important contributing factors for breast cancer. Drinking alcohol, pregnancy at the elder age, menopause, exposure to radiation, diabetes mellitus and fibrocystic breast changes are certain other predisposing factors.
Clinical presentations:
Either one or both the breast is affected .The female complaints of feeling of a lump or tumor in breast on palpation. The size of the affected breast is large as compared to another, change in color of the breast is seen, the nipple becomes inverted, or retracted peeling or scaling of the skin on the breast occurs. Abnormal discharges from the nipple or discoloration around the nipples is seen.
Diagnosis and investigations:
Diagnosis is done on the basis of the symptoms narrated by the patient and the local examination of the breast carried out by the doctor. Self breast examination by the women points to detection of lump. (Breast self examination technique: Stand in front of the mirror and look at the breast. Notice whether there is any swelling or change in size and shape of the breast. Examine the nipple whether there are any color changes in and around the nipple. Any redness or rash is seen any change in shape and location. The same things must be notice by raising the arms. Each of the breasts should be palpated right from the color bone in lying and standing position also. ) Mammography of the breast, breast ultrasound and MRI scan of the breast are recommended .A biopsy will help to differentiate between the malignant and benign tumor.
Treatment:
Depending upon the involvement of the breast and the stages of cancer treatment is initiated. Breast cancer is treated with surgery. Depending upon the involvement of the tissues excision of the tumor, or entire breast or a part of the breast which is affected is done. Chemotherapy and radiation are advised. Medications like hormonal therapy are used in hormonal receptor positive (estrogen progesterone) is used. Follow up oral chemotherapy is continued for 5-10 years in post surgical cases and recurrence and replaces are closely monitored during this period.
Recent updates:
A recent study carried out on stated that Young women who smoke and have been smoking a pack a day for a decade or more have a significantly increased risk of developing the most common type of breast cancer. The study indicates that an increased risk of breast cancer may be another health risk incurred by young women who smoke.
As per the study carried out by the National Cancer Institute Phytochemicals present in green tea change the metabolism of estrogen and can reduce the risk of breast cancer especially in post-menopausal women.
