In today’s time, breast cancer has become a common disease. Most women above the age of 35 are being affected by this condition. Out of every 100 women, at least 5 are suffering from breast cancer.”
What is Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow abnormally and multiply uncontrollably. These cancer cells can form a lump or spread to other parts of the body if not treated.
Breast cancer is a disease that may take time to notice in the beginning, but eventually it becomes detectable. Cancer is such an illness whose signs start appearing over time. From the structure of your body to your daily bodily activities — everything begins to change, and that is where people often make mistakes. A person should always stay alert and notice when any activity of the body starts changing slowly.
If any disease is detected early and treated on time, you have a 99% chance of recovering. But the mistake people make is that they realize it only when the disease has already reached around 40%. In breast cancer, the cells in the breast form a lump, and the shape of the breast also starts changing irregularly — it may enlarge or look different. If you get it checked at the right time, things remain under control. But if not, it can spread to other organs of the body. The biggest problem with cancer is that it affects not just one organ but also begins to impact other organs in parallel. These cancer cells are extremely dangerous.
Common Symptoms of Breast cancer
A new lump or swelling in the breast or underarm
“It forms a lump in the breast or even in the underarm area. This lump develops from the cells of your body. A normal person can often feel or notice this lump.”Changes in the size or shape of the breast
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
No matter what type of cancer it is, if you are unable to identify it yourself, someone else can often notice it by the changes in your facial appearance and say that you might be suffering from some illness. In this condition, the skin may develop lumps or start shrinking day by day. The natural glow of your skin also begins to fade, and it no longer looks as radiant as before.
Nipple turning inward
When breast cancer begins in its early stage, the appearance of the nipple starts to change. The natural shape of the nipple does not remain the same. The nipple starts turning inward.
Unusual discharge from the nipple
Generally, when a woman becomes pregnant, the shape of the nipple changes along with the pregnancy. After the baby is born, as per nature’s process, milk is released from the nipple, which becomes the baby’s food. Normally, after some time, the milk flow stops naturally.
But when you develop breast cancer, the nipple may start discharging fluid again. If you notice such a problem, you should take it seriously. It may be a sign that you could be developing breast cancer, so getting it checked immediately is very important.”
Redness or thickening of breast skin
If the outer skin of your breast starts turning red or the skin becomes thick, you should get it checked immediately. If there is any kind of change in the appearance or structure of the breast, you must go for a medical examination right away
Risk Factors of Breast Cancer
If a woman has a family history of breast cancer, meaning her mother, grandmother, or other close relatives have had breast cancer, her chances of developing it also increase. Regardless of the type of cancer, if it exists in your family history, it is always important to regularly check your own body to ensure you are not developing breast cancer. Paying attention to this is crucial.
As a woman’s age increases, the risk of breast cancer also gradually rises. Age is a significant factor in breast cancer. Women should always keep in mind that as they grow older, regular body check-ups are necessary. These check-ups help identify deficiencies in the body, which can then be corrected through medicine and proper nutrition to protect against diseases.
Hormones also play a role in breast cancer. If there is a hormone deficiency or if hormone levels increase abnormally in the body, it can become a risk factor for breast cancer.
If a woman’s body shape changes unnecessarily or gradually over time — for example, if a normal woman starts gaining weight or her body changes shape — it is also considered a risk factor. Every woman should pay attention to this.
Alcohol consumption is another major cause of many types of cancer. Along with alcohol, smoking is also a significant cause of cancer. If a woman consumes alcohol and becomes addicted, it may not stop immediately, but she should try to reduce and eventually quit gradually. Alcohol consumption can also increase the risk of breast cancer.
Exposure to radiation is another factor that can cause breast cancer.
Below are some risk factors that every woman should pay attention to:”**
- Family history of breast cancer
- Increasing age
- Hormonal factors
- Obesity
- Alcohol consumption
- Radiation exposure
How It Is Detected as Breast Cancer
Detecting breast cancer can be relatively easy because all the symptoms have already been mentioned above. If a woman shows these symptoms along with the risk factors in her body, it can indicate whether she is affected by breast cancer or not.
If you notice any changes in your breast or if the breast shape starts changing abnormally, you should immediately consult a doctor and get it examined.
If the shape of the breast appears altered, or if lumps develop in the breast and even after a clinical examination the doctor is unable to reach a conclusion, you should get a breast X-ray done. This can reveal any lumps that may indicate breast cancer, which is the main cause.
Breast cancer can also be detected through an ultrasound or MRI.
A biopsy provides definitive information about whether you have breast cancer or not. Only after a biopsy can a doctor officially confirm whether you have breast cancer.”**
- Breast self-exam
- Clinical breast exam by a doctor
- Mammogram (breast X-ray)
- Ultrasound / MRI
- Biopsy (confirming cancer)
Breast Cancer Treatment Options
The details of breast cancer treatment are given below, which include all the check-ups, therapies, and related procedures a woman undergoes during the course of her breast cancer treatment.”
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Hormone therapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
1. Surgery
- Stage: Usually Stage 0 to Stage III
- Purpose: To remove the tumor and sometimes nearby lymph nodes.
- Types: Lumpectomy (removing the lump), mastectomy (removing the whole breast).
2. Chemotherapy
- Stage: Can be used in Stage I to Stage IV
- Purpose: To kill cancer cells, either before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink tumors or after surgery (adjuvant) to prevent recurrence.
- Also used in advanced/metastatic cancer.
3. Radiation Therapy
- Stage: Usually Stage I to Stage III
- Purpose: To destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery, especially after a lumpectomy.
- Rarely used in Stage IV, mostly for symptom relief.
4. Hormone Therapy
- Stage: Mainly Stage I to Stage IV if the tumor is hormone receptor-positive
- Purpose: Blocks estrogen or progesterone that fuels cancer growth.
- Can be used after surgery or in metastatic breast cancer.
5. Targeted Therapy
- Stage: Stage II to Stage IV depending on tumor markers (e.g., HER2-positive)
- Purpose: Targets specific proteins or genes that help cancer grow.
- Often used with chemotherapy.
6. Immunotherapy
- Stage: Usually Stage IV or advanced/metastatic cancers
- Purpose: Boosts the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
- Used for specific subtypes of breast cancer.
