What is Breast Cancer?
What is breast cancer? Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast. It can start in one or both breasts. Cancer starts when cells begin to grow out of control. Breast cancer occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get breast cancer too.
It’s important to understand that most breast lumps are benign and not cancer (malignant). Non-cancer breast tumors are abnormal growths, but they do not spread outside of the breast. They are not life-threatening, but some types of benign breast lumps can increase a woman’s risk of getting breast cancer. Any breast lump or change needs to be checked by a healthcare professional to find out if it is benign or malignant (cancer) and if it might affect your future cancer risk.
A picture of breast cancer development in women.
Understanding What is Breast Cancer. Where breast cancer starts.
The breast has different parts:
- Lobules are the glands that make breast milk. Cancers that start here are called lobular cancers;
- Ducts are small canals that come out from the lobules and carry the milk to the nipple. This is the most common place for breast cancer to start. Cancers that start here are called ductal cancers;
- The nipple is the opening in the skin of the breast where the ducts come together and turn into larger ducts so the milk can leave the breast. The nipple is surrounded by slightly darker thicker skin called the areola. A less common type of breast cancer called Paget disease of the breast can start in the nipple.
- The fat and connective tissue (stroma) surround the ducts and lobules and help keep them in place. A less common type of breast cancer called phyllodes tumor can start in the stroma.
- Blood vessels and lymph vessels are also found in each breast. A small number of cancers start in other tissues in the breast. These cancers are called sarcomas and lymphomas and are not really thought of as breast cancers.
Breast Cancer Pictures.
Below are some breast cancer pictures of patients of Breast Care International.
What Causes Breast Cancer.
The exact causes of breast cancer are still unknown, leaving many women wondering what may have led to their diagnosis. While doctors cannot always determine why one woman develops breast cancer and another does not, it is clear that the disease is caused by damage to a cell's DNA. While certain risk factors, such as age and family history, may increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer, it is important to remember that anyone can be affected and early detection is key to successful treatment.
THESE DO NOT CAUSE BREAST CANCER:
Can Breast Cancer Be Prevented?
There is no sure way to prevent breast cancer. But there are things you can do that might lower your risk. This can be especially helpful for women with certain risk factors for breast cancer, such as having a strong family history or certain inherited gene changes.
Breast Cancer in Figures.
- Every 19 seconds a woman somewhere is diagnosed with breast cancer;
- Every 69 seconds a woman somewhere dies from breast cancer.