Defining A to Z of Gynaecology : Breast Cancer

The cancer spreads when cells get out of control and mutations to take place in the genes of a human’s body that regulate growth.

As the name says, breast cancer develops in the breast cells. According to American Cancer Society, Breast cancer cells usually form a tumor that can often be seen on an x-ray or felt as a lump. Breast cancer occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get breast cancer, too.

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer found in humans, after skin cancer. They can start from different parts of the breast.

-Usually, they form in the ducts that carry milk.

-Some form in the glands that make breast milk.

– A small number of breast cancers form in the tissues of the breast and are known as sarcomas and lymphomas.

Though, with increased awareness about the diagnosis and treatment of this cancer, there has been a better understanding of the disease among the masses. Yet, a lot of people still fail to identify the early signs of this cancer.

Symptoms of this cancer

An early sign is a lump found in the breast. However, not all lumps are cancer.

Common symptoms for Breast Cancer are:

• Breast lump or tissue thickening
• Swelling in all or some parts of your breast
• Breast Pain
• Bloody discharge from the nipple
• Sudden change in the shape of the breast
• Swelling under your arm
• Scaling or peeling of skin on your breast or nipple

What are the various types of Breast Cancers

The most known types of breast cancers are:

Invasive ductal carcinoma – IDC is the most common type of cancer. It begins in your breast’s milk ducts and harms the nearby tissues in the breast. It can even spread to the nearby organs, once it has spread in your ducts.

Ductal carcinoma in situ – DCIS is a non-invasive case in which cancer does not affect the surrounding organs but stays in just the ducts of your breast.

Lobular carcinoma in situ – LCIS grows in the milk-producing glands of the breast. It is also non-invasive i.e. it does not affect the surrounding tissues.

Invasive lobular carcinoma – ILC first develops in the breast’s lobules but later affects the surrounding tissues.

Apart from these, Phyllodes tumor, Angiosarcoma, Triple Negative Breast Cancer and more, are also found in some rare cases.

How is breast cancer diagnosed?

To understand if your lumps or pain or other arising symptoms are due to breast cancer or due to some other issues, your doctor will diagnose your breast. They might also do some diagnostic tests to analyze the issues.

Tests that are useful in diagnosing the condition are:

• Ultrasound

It creates a picture of your breast using sounds waves. It helps to differentiate between a tumor ora cyst.

• Mammogram

It’s the most commonly used imaging test. It’s done if your doctor suspects a tumor or a suspicious spot in your breast. If things seem abnormal in your mammogram reports, further tests are conducted.

A lot of awareness has been generated about breast cancers, how to prevent them and how to take care of them.  Getting frequent mammograms, meeting your doctor immediately if you find a lump in your breast and changing your lifestyle a bit as a precautionary measure is important for a healthy breast care routine.

We, at Dr Shivani Chaturvedi’sObs and Gyn Super Specialty centre take care of all your breast-related issues. Feel free to visit us for all your Obs and Gyn needs.