Breast cancer is a serious medical condition that can have a devastating impact on a person's life. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, as well as the risk factors and treatments available. In this article, we will discuss what breast cancer is, the different types of breast cancer, the symptoms and risk factors associated with it, and the treatments available. Breast cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the breast.
It can occur in both men and women, although it is much more common in women. The most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump or mass in the breast. These lumps are usually hard and painless, although some may be painful. However, not all lumps are cancerous.
Benign breast conditions such as cysts can also cause lumps. The two most common causes of breast lumps are fibrocystic breast disease and cysts. Fibrocystic condition causes noncancerous changes in the breast that can cause lumps, tenderness, and soreness. Cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that can develop in the breast.
If the cancer has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body, chemotherapy may be recommended as the primary treatment. Breast cancer can also begin in glandular tissue called lobules (invasive lobular carcinoma) or in other cells or tissues of the breast. Hormone therapy may be used to lower estrogen levels or prevent estrogen from attaching to breast cancer cells. A number of hereditary mutated genes have been identified that may increase the chance of developing breast cancer.
Talk to your doctor about when to start breast cancer screenings and tests, such as clinical breast exams and mammograms. Most often, health care providers use hormone therapy after surgery to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.This infection is more common among women who are breastfeeding, but it can also occur in other women. Substantial support for breast cancer awareness and research funding has helped create advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Mastectomy and surgery to replace a breast (reconstruction) can cause a buildup of scar tissue or fat cells.Breast cancer surgery involves removing the cancerous part of the breast and an area of normal tissue surrounding the tumor.
Most importantly, since these things may or may not be cancer, be sure to see your doctor if you see any of these signs.
