What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a description that refers to a family of cancers that can occur in any part of the breast tissue. The disease is when malignant cells have formed in the tissues of the breast. When the DNA of these cells has become damaged the cells divide and grow in an uncontrollable way and form a lump called a tumor.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer and is the most common cancer in women. In the United States breast cancer in women has the highest incidence rate in the world. Breast cancer can also occur in males as the breast tissue is composed of identical tissue but is 100 times less common. Survival rates in men are the same as in women suffering from breast cancer.

Breast cancer is more common in women after they gone through the menopause but is also diagnosed in women under 50 each year. One in nine women will develop breast cancer during their life.

The breast is made up of gland tissue which is divided into lobes, connective tissue and fat. Each breast is not identical in size to the other and will usually feel different during the month, for example before a period they may feel lumpy.

Glandular tissue makes breasts dense and younger women have more glandular tissue. After the menopause a women will have less glandular tissue and more fat, so the breast will not be as dense. When a young woman has a mammogram, it is harder to read because of the denseness of the breast and so has been found to be not as reliable.

Breast tissue leads into the armpit, and the armpit has glands known as lymph glands or lymph nodes. Lymph glands form part of the drainage system of the body and is known as the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system assists in getting rid of the waste products in the body. In breast cancer, the lymph nodes are always examined to check if any cancer cells have broken away from a tumour because the lymph fluid – yellow in colour – can be carried to the lymph glands. Breast cancer is less likely to have spread if the lymph glands do not contain any cancer cells.

Brief History of Breast Cancer

Surprisingly, breast cancer has been known for over 3,500 years. In some forms, it has been treatable for around 130 years, mainly through mastectomies and removal of lymph nodes.

These days tests include mammogram, ultrasound, needle aspiration, needle biopsy and excision biopsy.