Download Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer
By Kajal Haghmoradi
Anatomy of the Female Breast
• A woman's breasts are made up of fat, connective
tissue and thousands of tiny glands, known as lobules,
which produce milk. If a woman has a baby, the milk is
delivered to the nipple through tiny tubes called ducts,
which allow her to breastfeed.
• Our bodies are made up of billions of tiny cells.
Normally, cells grow and multiply in an orderly way.
New cells are only made when and where they
are needed. In cancer, this orderly process goes wrong
and cells begin to grow and multiply uncontrollably.
Symptoms
• Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms
but usually shows as a lump or thickening in the
breast tissue (although most breast lumps are not
cancerous). If cancer is detected at an early stage,
it can be treated before it spreads to nearby parts
of the body.
• If you notice any of these symptoms, see your GP
as soon as possible. After an examination, they
may feel it necessary to refer you to a specialist
breast cancer clinic for further tests.
Types of breast cancer
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There are several different types of breast cancer, which can develop in different parts of the
breast. Breast cancer is often divided into non-invasive and invasive types.
Non-invasive breast cancer
Non-invasive breast cancer is also known as cancer or carcinoma in situ, or pre-cancerous
cells. This cancer is found in the ducts of the breast and has not developed the ability to
spread outside the breast. This form of cancer rarely shows as a lump in the breast and is
usually found on a mammogram. The most common type of non-invasive cancer is ductal
carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
Invasive breast cancer
Invasive cancer has the ability to spread outside the breast, although this does not mean it
necessarily has spread. The most common form of breast cancer is invasive ductal breast
cancer, which develops in the cells that line the breast ducts. Invasive ductal breast cancer
accounts for about 80% of all cases of breast cancer and is sometimes called 'no special type'.
Other types of breast cancer
Other less common types of breast cancer include invasive lobular breast cancer, which
develops in the cells that line the milk-producing lobules, inflammatory breast cancer and
Paget's disease of the breast. It is possible for breast cancer to spread to other parts of the
body, usually through the lymph nodes (small glands that filter bacteria from the body) or the
bloodstream. If this happens, it is known as secondary or metastatic breast cancer.
Breast screening
Breast screening
• The exact causes of breast cancer are not fully
understood, but many factors increase the likelihood of
developing it, including age and family history of breast
cancer.
• Women who have a higher-than-average risk of
developing breast cancer may be offered screening and
genetic testing for the condition. As the risk of breast
cancer increases with age, all women aged 50–70 are
invited for breast cancer screening every three years.
Women over 70 are also entitled to screening and can
arrange an appointment through their GP or local
screening unit.
Treating breast cancer
• Breast cancer is treated using a combination of
surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Some cases of breast
cancer may also be treated using biological or hormone treatments.
• Being diagnosed with breast cancer can affect daily life in many
ways. However, there is support available for many aspects of living
with breast cancer including emotional, financial and long-term
health issues.
• One in nine women are affected by breast cancer during their
lifetime. There is a good chance of recovery if it is detected in its
early stages. For this reason, it is vital that women check their
breasts regularly for any changes and always get any changes
examined by their GP.
Online Personal Education and Risk
Assessment (OPERA)
• If you are concerned about your risk of developing
inherited breast cancer, you can use Macmillan's online
interactive assessment tool, which is called OPERA.
• The tool is based on the National Institute for Health
and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for the
classification and care of women at risk of familial
breast cancer. It is designed to be used by patients and
health professionals to assess a person's risk of
developing the condition based on their family history
of both breast cancer and ovarian cancer. This is
because the genes that are mainly responsible for
breast cancer are also linked to ovarian cancer.