BREAST
CANCER
What is it All
About?
Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the
cells of the breasts. Typically, the cancer
forms Breast in either the lobules or
ducts of the breast. Lobules are the
glands that produce milk, and ducts are
the pathways that bring the milk from
the glands to the nipple.
Signs and
Symptoms
A breast lump or thickening that feels
different from the surrounding tissue
Change in the size, shape or appearance of a
breast
Changes to the skin over the breast, such as
dimpling
A newly inverted nipple
Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the
pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple
(areola) or breast skin
Redness or pitting of the skin over your
breast, like the skin of an orange
Risk Factors
Being female.
Increasing age.
A personal history of breast cancer.
A family history of breast cancer.
Inherited genes that increase cancer risk.
Radiation exposure.
Obesity.
Beginning your period at a younger age.
Beginning menopause at an older age.
Having your first child at an older age.
Having never been pregnant.
Postmenopausal hormone therapy.
Drinking alcohol.
Management and
Treatment of the Disease
1. Surgery
Lumpectomy
Mastectomy
2. Lymph node removal and analysis
Sentinel lymph node biopsy.
Axillary lymph node dissection.
Pathophysiology
Breast cancer occurs when some breast cells
begin to grow abnormally. These cells divide more
rapidly than healthy cells do and continue to
accumulate, forming a lump or mass. Cells may
spread (metastasize) through your breast to your
lymph nodes or to other parts of your body.
Breast cancer most often begins with cells in the
milk-producing ducts (invasive ductal carcinoma).
Breast cancer may also begin in the glandular
tissue called lobules (invasive lobular carcinoma)
or in other cells or tissue within the breast.
Types of Breast
Cancer
Angiosarcoma
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Inflammatory breast cancer
Invasive lobular carcinoma
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
Male breast cancer
Paget's disease of the breast
Recurrent breast cancer
Diet and Nutrition
Foods that may also help prevent the development or
progression of breast cancer:
A variety of fruits and dark leafy vegetables -
broccoli, kale, berries, peaches
Foods that are rich in fiber, such as whole grains,
beans, and legumes
Low fat milk and dairy products
Soybean-based products
Foods rich in vitamin D and other vitamins
Foods, particularly spices, with anti-inflammatory
properties
Foods — mainly plant based — that contain
antioxidants
3. Radiation
TherapyExternal-beam radiation therapy
Intra-operative radiation therapy.
Brachytherapy
4. Therapies using medication
Chemotherapy
Hormonal therapy
Targeted therapy
Immunotherapy