What is Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cells of the breast tissue, most commonly in the ducts (which carry milk) or lobules (which produce milk). It occurs when abnormal breast cells grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour that can invade nearby tissue and, in some cases, spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, bones, liver, or lungs.

What are the symptoms of Breast Cancer?

• Lump in the breast or underarm: Usually hard, painless, and with irregular edges (though some lumps may be tender or soft).
• Change in breast size or shape: One breast may look different from the other.
• Skin changes on the breast: Redness, dimpling, puckering, or thickening (like an orange peel).
• Nipple changes:
  • Nipple inversion (turning inward)
  • Unexplained discharge (clear or bloody)
  • Breast pain or tenderness: Though pain alone is rarely a sign of cancer.
  • swelling in part or all of the breast: Even without a distinct lump.

How to detect Breast Cancer?

1. Self-Examination (Breast Self-Exam)

• When: Once a month, a few days after your menstrual cycle ends (or on a fixed day each month if you are postmenopausal).
• How:
• Look: In front of a mirror for changes in size, shape, or skin texture.
• Feel: Use the pads of your fingers to check for lumps, hard knots, or thickening in the breast and underarm area.

 2. Clinical Breast Exam (CBE)

• Performed by: A doctor or nurse during a routine check-up.
• Frequency:
• Every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s.
• Every year for women 40 and older.

3. Mammogram (X-ray of the Breast)

• Best screening tool for early detection before symptoms appear.
• Recommendations:
• Age 40+: Every 1–2 years.
• High-risk women (family history, genetic mutations): Start earlier as per doctor’s advice.

 4. Ultrasound

• Often used when a mammogram shows an abnormal area or for women with dense breast tissue.

5. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

• Recommended for high-risk patients along with mammograms for better detection.

6. Biopsy

• If a lump or abnormal area is found, a biopsy is performed taking a tissue sample for laboratory testing to confirm if it’s cancer.

What are the available treatments for Breast Cancer?

1. Surgery

• Lumpectomy (Breast-Conserving Surgery):Removes only the tumour and some surrounding tissue.
• Mastectomy:Removes the entire breast.
• Lymph Node Removal:Often done to check for cancer spread.

2. Radiation Therapy

• Uses high-energy X-raysto kill cancer cells.
• Usually given after lumpectomy or sometimes after mastectomy to reduce recurrence risk.

3. Chemotherapy

• Uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.
• Given before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink tumours or after surgery (adjuvant) to prevent recurrence.
• Can be oral or intravenous.

4. Hormone (Endocrine) Therapy

• For hormone receptor-positive breast cancer(ER+ or PR+).
• Blocks estrogen or progesterone that fuel cancer growth.
• Common drugs: Tamoxifen, Aromatase inhibitors.

5. Targeted Therapy

• Focuses on specific proteins in cancer cells, such as HER2.
• Common drugs: Trastuzumab (Herceptin), Pertuzumab.

6. Immunotherapy

• Boosts the immune system to fight cancer.
• Used in some triple-negative breast cancers(TNBC).

7. Palliative Care

• Focused on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life, especially in advanced stages.