Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer is a form of cancer that occurs in the breast tissue. Although the breast is made up of similar tissues in both males and females, breast cancer occurs mostly in females.

Causes
Like other cancers, breast cancer is anuncontrollable growth of breast cells,and is caused due to the mutation ofcertain genes present in your breastcells. This mutation can either begenetically inherited, i.e. it might have come from your parents, or it happened during changes in your body,like aging or due to life in general.Breast Cancer can also occur due to hormonal changes in the body, like during menopause.

Types of Breast Cancer
Breast Cancers can be divided into four types based on the location they occur and whether it is a local one or not.

1. Ductal Carcinoma in Situ, or DCIS
2. Lobular Carcinoma in situ or LCIS
3. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma or IDC
4. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma or ILC

Breast Cancer normally occurs either inthe milk duct (Ductal), or in thelobules (Lobular) or glands that makemilk. Both can either be ?in situ?,meaning it remains where it started anddoes not spread, or it may be?invasive?, meaning it spreads into the surrounding tissues. Carcinoma is a word used for any cancer that begins in the skins or tissues covering internal organs.

Early Detection
There are no ways to prevent breastcancer. However, breast cancer can be treated effectively if it is detected inan early stage. Self Breast Examinationfor lumps and unusual changes should becarried out each month, preferably atthe same time each month to minimizeeffects of menstruation. A clinicalbreast examination should be done onceevery year from ages 29 - 39, and onceevery year from the age of 40.

Diagnosis
Primary diagnosis is done usingmammography, an x-ray of the breast. Ifbreast cancer is suspected or diagnosed,this is followed by MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and PET Scans.


Treatment
The main form of treatment used for Breast Cancer is surgery. Depending on the size of the tumour, it can belumpectomy, also known as breastconserving surgery, where only the tumour is removed, or mastectomy, where the entire breast is removed. Both formsof surgery are usually followed by radiotherapy, which is a form of treatment by exposure to radiation, tostop the cancer from spreading. Another major form of treatment is chemotherapy,where treatment is done through various forms of drugs. These drugs interfere with the growth of cancer cells, and thus help curing cancer. Breast cancer can also be treated using hormone therapy, using chemicals to stop activities of certain hormones. Hormonetherapy can only be used if the cancercells are responsive to hormones, and have varied side effects, ranging from vaginal dryness and weak bones to infertility. Even after effective removal of Breast Cancer, patients should be in constant touch with thep hysician to make sure that the cancer does not return.