Cancer is the abnormal and rapid growth of a tissue that does not respond to the body’s normal control mechanisms. It can involve any tissue in the body and case serious harm if not picked up early enough. Breast cancer is basically a cancer of the breast tissue. This type of cancer is the most common cancer in women, in many first world countries.
Causes Risks
Like with most cancers the exact cause of breast cancer is still being thoroughly investigated, but a number of contributing factors have been identified. Unlike with some other cancers, cancer of the breast carries a narrow range of risk factors, with the most significant being hormonal and family related. The hormone oestrogen plays a role in the growth of breast tissue. With hormone replacement therapy synthetic oestrogen is given and this carries a risk of cancer of the breast.
The other important link in research is family history. If somebody in your family has had breast cancer, then you have a risk of having it too. Having said that, a person who has no positive family history is also at risk. So while genetics has a link it is not the be all and end all.
Suggestive signs
There are certain signs that you can look out for that may indicate cancer. There may be a lump, which is usually singular, painless and firm. You should do this by lifting your arm above your head and feeling your breast in a circular motion with your fingers flat. The area on the breast may be swollen or have an abnormal appearance. The veins on the surface of one breast may be more prominent than the other. There may be skin changes like a rash or a change in texture. The nipple of the breast concerned may become flat or inverted, and there may be a discharge of fluid other than breast milk.
Diagnosis
There are a number of tests that can be done in order to prove or disprove that somebody has this condition. The first exam is a screening exam and it involves feeling for a lump in the breast or under the arm. If the doctor suspects that the lump may be cancerous he will order a biopsy, where they basically take a needle and remove some of the tissue of he lump. They can then view this under a microscope and see whether there are any cancer cells.
If the doctor has a lower suspicion of cancer then a mammogram can be ordered. This is a process that allows for the identification of tumors, as well as calcifications and other solid abnormalities in the breast.
Treatment
The treatment of breast cancer is much like that of other forms of cancer. The lump can be removed surgically, and this is called a lumpectomy. If the lump is extensive then you may be advised to undergo a mastectomy, which is where the whole breast is removed. There are less invasive options like radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
