Breast cancer is a deadly disease where abnormal breast cells grow out of control and form tumors in the breast. If left untreated, these tumors can spread throughout the body and become dangerous. According to WHO, in 2022, there are 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer, causing 670,000 deaths globally.
Early detection and awareness are key factors to improving the survival rate of breast cancer and preventing breast cancer. Oncare Cancer Center is one of the best cancer hospitals in India. This prestigious cancer care center provides high-quality cancer treatment and advanced cancer surgeries along with experienced cancer specialist consultation in an affordable price range without compromising the clinical care quality.
In this article, we’ll explore the top ten essential facts about breast cancer everyone should know!
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world; this develops when cancerous cells in your breasts start to multiply and form tumors. About 80% of breast cancer cases are known as invasive breast cancer; cancer cells have grown through the lining of milk ducts or lobules and into the surrounding breast tissue to other areas of the body.
There are certain types and subtypes of breast cancer:
Types of breast cancers
- Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC): This cancer starts in the milk ducts and spreads to nearby breast tissue. This is one of the most common breast cancers in the world.
- Lobular breast cancer: This cancer develops in the milk-producing glands, also known as lobules, in your breast. It often spreads to your nearby breast tissue. This is the second most common breast cancer in the world.
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): This type of breast cancer develops in your milk ducts; the major difference is, this won’t spread beyond your milk ducts.
Less common breast cancer types
The less common breast cancer types may include:
- Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC): This is an invasive and aggressive cancer that spreads more quickly than other breast cancers.
- Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC): This is a rare type of cancer that is fast-growing and looks like a rash on your breast.
- Paget’s disease of the breast: This cancer affects the skin of your nipple, and it might look like a rash.
Breast cancer subtype
To classify breast cancer subtypes by receptor cell status. The receptor protein molecules are present in or on cell surfaces. This can attract certain substances from the blood, including hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones help cancer cells to grow in breasts.
These subtypes include:
- ER-Positive (ER+): This breast cancer has estrogen receptors.
- PR-Positive (PR+): This breast cancer has progesterone receptors.
- HR-Positive (HR+): This breast cancer has both estrogen and progesterone receptors.
- HR-Negative (HR-): This breast cancer does not have estrogen and progesterone receptors.
- HER2-Positive (HER2+): This breast cancer has higher than normal levels of the HER2 protein. This protein helps cancer cells to grow. Approximately 15 to 20% of all breast cancers are HER2 positive.
Here are ten essential parts of breast cancer everyone should know:
1. Breast cancer is the most Common Cancer in Women
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States and worldwide. An average US woman, approximately 13% of the population, which is 1 in 8 women, will develop breast cancer in their lifespan. According to WHO, in 2022, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in 157 countries out of 187 in countries in the world.
2. Breast Cancer happens in Men Too!
Fifty percent of all breast cancer develops in women with no specific risk factors other than sex and age. Females are at great risk because 99% of breast cancers happen in women, while approximately 0.5 to 1% of breast cancers happen in men too, which is known as male breast cancer.
3. Age is a major risk factor
Age plays a significant role in developing breast cancer in women. The impact of age is considered as a risk factor, and according to the American Cancer Society, 2 out of 3 women with invasive breast cancer are diagnosed at the age of 55.
4. Early detection saves lives
Early diagnosis of breast cancer often means a better prognosis and a much better outcome. Identifying breast cancer in the early stages saves lives. Recognizing the risk status of your cancer is the significant step towards your breast cancer treatments. Your risk status can be determined by performing a genetic test. In this procedure, a technician checks the inherited mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 cells in your body.
Patients who don’t find any symptoms of breast cancer in the early stages might face the risk of metastatic breast cancer, also known as Stage IV breast cancer. If breast cancer goes unrecognized, it can spread to other body parts such as lymph nodes and other body parts such as bones, lungs, liver, or brain. When the cancer spreads to another organ in the body, the treatment becomes more complicated.
5. Survival rate of breast cancer
The survival rate of breast cancer refers to the percentage of patients with the same type and stage of cancer who are alive after a certain amount of time (usually 5 years) after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The rates of survival are specifically based on the type of cancer in a large number of people who are diagnosed with specific cancer. This rate can’t predict what will happen in any patient’s case.
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Talk to our experienced breast cancer specialist and get more details about your condition and clear your doubts now!
6. Risk factor for breast cancer: Family history increases the risk
There are several factors that increase the risk of developing breast cancer, including gender, age, race, genetics, and family history. Breast cancer occurs nearly 100 times more in women than in men!
Patients with a family history of cancer should undergo regular screenings, monitoring the symptoms and genetic testing to identify any potential risks earlier.
7. Symptoms of breast cancer: Not all lumps are cancerous!
Identifying a lump in the breast can be a symptom of breast cancer but does not always mean cancer. Breast cancer symptoms are different from those of other cancers. Sometimes breast cancer may not cause any noticeable symptoms. Most lumps are benign cysts or fibroadenomas. However, if you feel any unusual change, it should get diagnosed by a healthcare practitioner.
The symptoms may include:
- A change in the shape and size of the breast
- A lump or mass may feel as small as a pea
- A breast lump or thickened area near your breast or the lump continues through your menstrual cycle.
- The nipple looks flattened or turns inward
- Changes in the color of breast skin: People with white color might look pink or red; people with brown and black, the breast skin starts to look darker than other skin on the chest skin, or red or purple.
- The breast skin starts Peeling, scaling, crusting, or flaking
- Change in the skin over the breast: The skin starts to look dimpled or look like an orange peel.
- A marble-like hardened area under your skin
- Blood stain or clear fluid discharge from your nipple
8. Importance of screening tests
Breast cancer screening tests are used for different types of cancer when a person does not have any symptoms. Mammography is the most common screening test for breast cancer. The American Cancer Society suggests that women who are above 40 to 44 should consider performing annual mammograms, while women above 45 to 50 get screened for mammograms every year.
MRI is used to screen for breast cancer in those who are at high risk for breast cancer. The screening test for breast cancer is used to depend on certain factors.
Other important screening tests are:
- Breast exam
- Mamogram
- FNAC
- Ultrasound testing (USG)
- Biopsy (often performed when the test gets positive)
9. Treatment based on type of breast cancer and its stage
Breast cancer treatments start after you find out the stage of your cancer. Patients diagnosed with breast cancer stages I, II, or III are treated with surgery and often followed with radiation therapy. In most cases, systemic drug therapy is used to treat breast cancer. This is a kind of drug therapy that uses some particular medications that travel throughout the bloodstream of a patient and destroy cancer cells. Personalized treatment plans are based on the cancer’s stage and characteristics.
Several systemic drugs include:
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Targeted therapy and
- Immunotherapy
Apart from systemic therapy, radiation therapy and surgeries are also performed to remove cancer in the breast. This might be performed mainly based on the specific conditions of patients.
10. Lifestyle choice can reduce the risk!
Lifestyle plays a major role in the development of breast cancer in women and some men too. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle might reduce the risk of breast cancer. This includes following regular physical activity, a balanced diet, avoiding alcohol consumption and smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight, which can lower the chances of breast cancer. Lifestyle modifications might significantly contribute to the prevention of breast cancer.
Conclusion
Early detection of breast cancer and access to high-quality cancer treatment facilities can significantly impact the survival of breast cancer. Regular cancer screening, modifying lifestyle choices, and seeking out expert medical advice from the best cancer hospitals like Oncare Cancer Center will help with both prevention and effective treatment for breast cancer. By understanding these essential facts, individuals can take both preventive and proactive steps towards breast cancer.
If you are looking for expert guidance on breast cancer and for affordable breast cancer treatment in India, then visit Oncare Cancer Care’s website and book an appointment today! Get an estimated cost of breast cancer treatment now!