Every October is a breast cancer awareness month to increase the awareness about breast cancer, its diagnosis, treatment, care, and breast cancer prevention. This month the pink color ribbon, the breast cancer symbol appears in various places as a reminder of breast cancer awareness and support. This month is not only about providing information but providing support to those who have been diagnosed, treated, or lost their loved one to the disease.
Breast cancer affects older women more than it affects young and middle-aged women. The risk of developing breast cancer increases dramatically over age, making seniors the most likely age group to suffer from it. So, in this blog, we will discuss breast cancer symptoms, stages, breast cancer treatment and prevention options.
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer develops in breast cells. It is formed in either the ducts or lobules of the breast. Lobules are glands that produce milk and ducts are like a pathway that passes the milk from the glands to the nipple. Cancer can also grow in the fibrous connective tissue within the breast. The cancer cells often attack other healthy breast tissue and move to the arms’ lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are a major pathway that helps the cancer cells travel to other parts of the body. Breast cancer awareness for symptoms and risk should be public knowledge, just like we know when someone has the flu. The more people will know about it the better the chances of detecting abnormalities or breast cancer in its early stages when breast cancer treatment treatment can be successful. Most important thing that women need to know about breast cancer is the risk factors. Here is what causes breast cancer:
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Tobacco
- Genetics
- Obesity
- Menopause after 55
- Women over 50 and older
- Giving birth at an older age
- History of breast problems.
Types of Breast Cancer
The different types of breast cancer include:
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) – It is the most common type of breast cancer and starts developing in milk ducts while spreading to the breast tissue.
Lobular Breast Cancer (LBC) – This cancer grows in the lobules (milk producing glands) in your breast and affects the nearby tissues gradually.
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) – This cancer also starts in milk ducts but it doesn’t spread to nearby tissues.
Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) – This is one of the least common types of breast cancer and spreads quickly.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) – This looks like a breast cancer rash. Though it is rare, it grows faster.
Stages of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is categorised in 5 stages, from 0 to 4. Below we have explained all the breast cancer staging:
Stage 0
This is the stage when cancer is detected early. In this, the cancer starts building in milk glands and stays in its original place, which is non-invasive. At this point, it can be treated timely.
Stage 1
From this stage, breast cancer is considered non-invasive. This indicates that it leaves its original place and starts impacting the healthy tissues in your body. These are further classified as:
Stage 1A
This stage signifies that the cancer in the breast starts spreading into its fatty tissue, but not outside of the breast. Its size is approx. 2cm or less.
Stage 1B
If cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes near the breast, then it indicates that the cancer stage is 1B.
Stage 2
In stage 2 breast cancer, it grows and spreads to nearby lymph nodes. It is further categorised into:
Stage 2A
It indicates that the breast tumour is small and no cancer may be detected in the lymph nodes, and if it is there then it might spread to 1-3 lymph nodes.
Stage 2B
Stage 2B tumour can be alarming as its size can be larger than 2 cm but less than 5 cm. There is an equal possibility of its presence or absence in the lymph nodes.
Stage 3
Stage 3 breast cancer means that it has reached the advanced stage, but hasn’t affected bones or organs. It has further classification as:
Stage 3A
This stage signals the spread of breast cancer from four to nine lymph nodes. These create a chain starting from underarm to breast bone. There may be chances of a large tumour or no tumour at all in your breast in this stage.
Stage 3B
Stage 3B confirms that the tumour has grown around your breast skin even if it hasn’t affected the lymph nodes.
Stage 3C
At this stage, the cancer can be of any size and maybe be found in 10 or more lymph nodes or there is also a possibility of its impact above or below the collarbone. In this stage, there is also a chance of affected lymph nodes outside the breast but inside it may be bigger in size, bringing a huge risk.
Stage 4
Stage 4 breast cancer means it has grown to different organs (bones, brain, lungs, and liver) of the body away from the breast. This stage is also known as metastatic.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer can be detected earlier and treated also if you analyse the following symptoms:
- Lumps or lump in the breast
- Swelling
- Discharge from the nipple area
- Change in the shape or size of the breast
- Changes to the nipples like redness, pain, dryness, turning inward, thickest texture, and dimpling in the skin.
Why is Self Breast Examination Necessary?
Self-breast examinations are necessary, and women should perform them from the privacy and comfort of their own homes for at least a month. A perfect time is after a few days of your periods as your breasts are less likely to be swollen or tender during this time, and you can start a baseline for feeling and appearance. If anything unusual or new is detected, please connect with the doctor as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for a professional examination.
Quick Prevention Tips for Breast Cancer
Cancer can be a life-threatening disease if not diagnosed timely. You can do the following to prevent the development of breast cancer:
- Quit smoking and alcohol
- Indulge in physical activities
- Maintain your bodyweight
- Eat healthy
- Manage stress.
Conclusion
Breast cancer can’t be prevented, but you can avoid some risk factors and work towards early signs of breast cancer. Doctors will advise you to maintain a healthy lifestyle to decrease the risk, improve longevity and improve overall health, but even the healthy women who have never once smoked a cigarette had alcohol or have no family history of the disease. Rate of breast cancer fatality can be decreased by making sure that the women are aware of how to perform the self-breast examination and the specific early symptoms of breast cancer they need to watch for.
