Breast Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

 

Breast cancer is a type of cancer in which the breast cells grow faster than normal cells due to genetic mutation and uncontrolled cell division. As a result, a mass of tissue forms called a tumor. It is the most common cancer in women, affecting billions of females worldwide. 

According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, 2.3 million breast cancer cases were reported in 2018, of which 685,000 females died. 

The science behind breast cancer: 

Breast cancer originates from the breast cell's mutated (damaged) gene, and these genetic mutations dysregulate the cellular machinery that controls cell division and multiplication. Hence, the cell starts abnormal cell division, forming a tumour. 

Types of Tumors:

• Benign Tumor:

Benign breast tumours are common in women. These are non-cancerous lumps, cysts, or outgrowth, but they might cause breast cancer in the future. Hormonal fluctuations in a woman's body result in changes in breast tissues, which then become benign tumours.

• Malignant Tumor:

It is a cancerous tumour that quickly divides and can spread to distant body parts through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The spreading of cancer from one site to another part of the body is called metastasis, the advanced stage of cancer.

Types of Breast Cancer:

• Invasive Ductal Carcinoma:

Ducts are thin tubes that carry milk from lobules to the nipple. Invasive ductal carcinoma occurs when the cells of the milk ducts start rapid division. These abnormal cells damage surrounding tissues and then move to other parts like the lungs, brain, and bone. 

It is the most common type of breast cancer in women. Around 80% of breast cancers are Invasive ductal carcinoma. Also, If it is unidentified during the primary stage of cancer, it spreads and infiltrates into other body parts.

Along with breast skin irritation and nipple pain, a woman also experiences nipple discharge and swellings. 

• Invasive Lobular Carcinoma:

The lobule is a part of the breast that produces milk. This type of Breast cancer arises in the lobule glands and can metastasize. It accounts for 15% of breast cancer in women. Females between 45 to 55 years of age are at high risk of developing Invasive Lobular breast cancer. 

In this type of breast cancer, females usually experience thickening/ swelling in breast skin, changes in nipple size/ shape, etc.

• Inflammatory Breast Cancer:

Inflammatory breast cancer develops when the cancer cells block lymphatic vessels in the breast, and this blockage results in breast inflammation and enlargement. 

It is a rare and aggressive type of breast cancer. Only 5% of females are diagnosed with Inflammatory breast carcinoma (IBS). Younger women who are overweight are prone to developing IBS. 

IBS is hard to diagnose because it propagates faster than any other type of breast cancer. By the time doctors diagnose IBS, it has already spread all over the body. Therefore, it is the most aggressive form of breast cancer with a lower survival rate. 

Characteristics of Breast Cancer:

Women with different types of cancer can experience various symptoms. Some of them are listed below;

• Lumps in the breast or armpit.
• Redness, irritation, and swelling in the breast.
• Fluid discharge from the nipple.
• Discoloration in the breast skin.
• Breast pain and enlargement.
• Changes in breast shape and size.
• Nipple retraction.
• Swelling in the armpits.
• Inflammation in the breast. 
• Changes in the skin texture.                                                                     
  
  

Risk factors:

Breast cancer has many risk factors that contribute to the prognosis. These risk factors increase your chances of cancer. 

• Hereditary:

The woman has a high chance of having breast cancer if any of her blood relatives suffer from breast cancer. It is because such families have mutated genes that transfer from parents to offspring through inheritance.

• Age:

Over-age women are at higher risk of developing cancer than younger women. It is because of estrogen dominance after menopause that estrogen helps in tumour growth, and excessive exposure to Estrogen accelerates cancer risk.

• Obesity:

Studies have shown that the prevalence of breast cancer is high in overweight women with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 25. Excessive fat tissues around the body increase estrogen production, and high Estrogen helps in tumour growth.

• Alcohol and smoking:

Along with breast cancer, alcohol and smoking elevate the chances of mouth and liver cancer. Alcohol contains certain chemicals which can be carcinogenic and cause damage to DNA. Once engulfed, alcohol converts into acetaldehyde (carcinogen), which causes damage to the DNA. Besides, alcohol also causes oxidative stress in the cell, which corrupts DNA structure and function. 

Breast cancer in males:

The male is also born with a small amount of breast tissue. Therefore, they might have a chance of breast cancer. Although breast cancer in men is rare, many overweight males with a heavy chest develop breast cancer. Many risk factors like age, obesity, estrogen therapy, testicle removal, family history, and Klinefelter syndrome contribute to the development of breast carcinoma in males. Symptoms and treatment of breast cancer are the same in males and females. 

Prevention of Breast cancer:

Breast cancer is considered taboo in society. Many women from lower financial backgrounds hesitate to seek medical help when they see symptoms of breast cancer. It is due to the fear of being stigmatized, rejection from a partner or community, and fear of losing the breast.

We as a society need to raise awareness about breast cancer in schools and colleges. People need to be educated about the risk factors, treatment, and prevention of breast cancer.

  

Summary:

Breast cancer is the most common type of malady in women. Mutations in the breast genes cause unnecessary cell division, which results in breast tumours. Based on its origin, breast cancer has three types. Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer. Invasive lobular carcinoma arises from the milk glands of the breast. It accounts for 15% of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare and aggressive type with a lower survival rate. Risk factors like obesity, family history, smoking, and radiation exposure are responsible for breast cancer development. Incidents of breast carcinoma are rising all over the world. Therefore, educating people about the risk factors of breast cancer is necessary.