Breast Cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow abnormally and form a lump or tumour. Normally, body cells grow in a controlled way. In breast cancer, some cells grow too fast and may spread to nearby tissues or other parts of the body if not…

Overview

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast Cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow abnormally and form a lump or tumour. Normally, body cells grow in a controlled way. In breast cancer, some cells grow too fast and may spread to nearby tissues or other parts of the body if not treated early.

Breast cancer usually starts in:

• Milk ducts (small tubes carrying milk)
• Lobules (milk-producing glands)

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How common is breast cancer?

• 2.3 million women affected by the disease and 670,000 globally (as of 2022)
• 192,020 cases and 98,337 due to breast cancer reported in India (2022)

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Who is more commonly affected?

Around 80% of cases occur in women; 0.5-1% in men

Factors that increase the risk of breast cancer include:

• Having close family members with heart disease
• Previously suffering from conditions affecting the breast
• Periods beginning before the age of 12
• Alcohol and smoking
• First child after the age of 30
• Obesity
• Being exposed to radiation treatment

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What causes breast cancer?

• Breast cancer occurs due to changes in the DNA of the cells in the breast which cause them to multiply uncontrollably and form a tumour. This tumour grows and occupies nearby cells kills them. When it spreads to the other parts of the body, its called metastatic cancer
• The exact cause of breast cancer is unknown. Certain factors such as those listed above can increase the risk but people without any of these risk factors can also develop the disease.

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Symptoms of breast cancer

• A change in the size, shape or contour of your breast
• A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a pea
• A lump or thickening in or near your breast or in your underarm that persists through your menstrual cycle
• A change in the look or feel of your skin on your breast or nipple. Your skin may look dimpled, puckered, scaly or inflamed. It may look red, purple or darker than other parts of your breast.
• A marble-like hardened area under your skin
• A blood-stained or clear fluid discharge from your nipple

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Diagnosis

• Physical examination of your breasts to look for any changes in the skin or the nipple
• An x-ray of your breasts (called a mammogram)
• An ultrasound test of your breasts and other radiological tests
• Taking a small sample of your breast tissues and checking for any abnormalities

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Treatment

• Treating the symptoms through medicines
• Anti-cancer medicines
• Radiation treatment
• Surgery: Removes a part of (lumpectomy) or the entire affected breast (mastectomy)Removing a few small glands for testing whether the cancer has spread
• Removes a part of (lumpectomy) or the entire affected breast (mastectomy)
• Removing a few small glands for testing whether the cancer has spread

Supportive Care

• Helps manage symptoms like pain, nausea, and fatigue

Treatment goal

• Early stage: Cure is possible
• Advanced stage: Control disease, improve survival and quality of life

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Benefits of breast cancer surgery

• Removes the cancer from the breast or nearby tissue
• Helps stop the cancer from spreading further
• May reduce pain or discomfort caused by the tumour
• Some surgeries can keep most of the breast shape

What are the side effects of breast cancer surgery?

After this surgery, you may experience/suffer from

• Infection at the surgical site.
• Blood clots that can happen after surgery.
• Nerve damage.
• Accumulation of fluid
• Numbness
• Shoulder pain

Lifestyle & Prevention

Recommended diet

• Consume lots of fruits and vegetables daily
• Include whole grains, brown rice, potatoes and yams as good energy and fibre sources
• Lean proteins (fish, dal, legumes and lean meats)
• Eat smaller amounts of foods high in fat, salt and sugar, and have them less often
• Limit alcohol as much as possible
• Drink plenty of fluids

Exercise tips

• Exercise for at least 150 mins/week
• Start slowly and build up the amount of physical activity
• Include resistance training exercise at least two days a week.
• Do stretching exercises at least two days each week.

Benefits of an active lifestyle include:

• Lower the chance of breast cancer recurrence
• Lower the chance of getting breast cancer
• Lower the risk of side effects like depression and anxiety
• Reduce body and joint pain
• Strengthen bones
• Improve flexibility

Long-term care

• Attend regular check-ups and scans
• Take medicines as advised by the doctor
• Stay active with light exercise
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Watch for any new breast changes
• Seek emotional support if needed
• Manage side effects early

Prevention

• Get to and stay at a healthy weight
• Eat a healthy diet
• Stay active
• Avoid alcohol
• Get regular checkups for breast cancer
• Regularly check for breast exams yourself. This includes: With the pads/flats of your 3 middle fingers, check the entire breast and armpit area, pressing down with light, medium, and firm pressure. Check both breasts each month, feeling for any new lumps, thickenings, hardened knots, or any other breast changes.Do this while having a bath and also lying down Also check in front of a mirror: With your arms at your sides, visually inspect your breasts, looking for any changes in the contour or shape of the breasts, any dimpling, swelling, or other skin irregularities on or around the breasts, or any changes in the nipples.
• With the pads/flats of your 3 middle fingers, check the entire breast and armpit area, pressing down with light, medium, and firm pressure. Check both breasts each month, feeling for any new lumps, thickenings, hardened knots, or any other breast changes.
• Do this while having a bath and also lying down
• Also check in front of a mirror: With your arms at your sides, visually inspect your breasts, looking for any changes in the contour or shape of the breasts, any dimpling, swelling, or other skin irregularities on or around the breasts, or any changes in the nipples.

When to contact a doctor?

Warning signs

• Chest pain
• Trouble breathing
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Weakness on one side of your body
• Slurred or distorted speech
• Fever or chills
• Fast heart rate or breathing

Myths and Facts

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)