Breast cancer begins in the milk ducts and lobules of the breast. It spreads throughout the body, and doctors determine the stage of the cancer by its size and whether it has spread to lymph nodes. In some cases, it takes ten years or longer before a person feels a lump. Once a woman feels a lump, it is probably a symptom of breast cancer. However, some cancers may not spread beyond the breasts.
When a woman has a lump in her breast, a healthcare provider will most likely perform a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. This procedure may also involve other tests, including a mammogram. In addition to the mammogram, doctors will probably use a PET scan to look for cancer in the breast. PET scans are also available, and involve injected dye into veins. MRI scans use magnets and radio waves to detect suspicious areas.
The breast contains thousands of lobules and connective tissue after puberty. These glands produce milk and have tubes that carry it toward the nipple. Breast cancer is a result of DNA damage and genetic mutations in these cells. While estrogen can play a role in breast cancer development, there is no definitive link between exposure to estrogen and the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. In healthy people, the immune system attacks abnormal DNA and growths to help prevent the development of breast cancer.
Stage II is the first stage of breast cancer, with tumors smaller than 2 centimeters in diameter and no evidence of tumor spread to nearby lymph nodes. Stage IIIB is when the cancer has spread beyond the breast and has invaded one or more lymph nodes. It may have spread to distant organs, including the liver and brain. It is usually difficult to diagnose at this stage. Fortunately, there are treatment options for stage III.
In addition to chemotherapy, doctors can perform surgery to treat the cancer. Surgery is the most common method of treatment for breast cancer, but many people opt for other treatments. While a lumpectomy removes the tumor and some surrounding tissue, mastectomy removes the entire breast, or double mastectomy removes both breasts. If the tumor spreads to lymph nodes, the treatment options are much more aggressive. A sentinel lymph node biopsy is increasingly common.
Cytotoxic drugs are often prescribed after radiation therapy, especially when the cancer is very advanced. Cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs are effective at killing cancer cells and is usually used to treat cancers with high risks of recurrence. In addition to chemotherapy, hormone-blocking therapy is also a viable option. This type of treatment helps prevent breast cancer from returning after hormone therapy and radiation therapy. It may even be the only treatment available if the cancer has spread.
Certain gene mutations increase the risk of developing breast cancer. These mutations are known as BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes help repair DNA damage, and a woman with these gene mutations is at an increased risk of developing the disease. Women with a family history of breast cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease than others. Some types of radiation therapy and obesity increase the risk. If a woman does not have a family history of breast cancer, she may still have an increased risk.
