Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of death among women’s cancers. It accounts for 24% of all female cancers and 15.5% of cancer-related deaths. It is reported that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. Breast cancer is rarely seen in men as well. For every 100 women, one man is diagnosed with breast cancer. The incidence of breast cancer has been found to increase each year.
Cancer occurs when the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and continuously. Breast cancer develops due to the uncontrolled proliferation of cells in the milk ducts of the breast tissue, which are responsible for milk production. Worldwide, 80% of breast cancer cases in one in eight women are due to the uncontrolled growth of cells in the milk ducts, while the remaining 20% develop in the milk glands and are defined as invasive lobular carcinoma. In addition to these, there are other types of breast cancer, such as medullary, mucinous, and tubular breast cancers. In the presence of breast cancer, the cancer cells multiply over time, forming a mass. This process occurs more slowly compared to other types of cancer, after which the cancer cells can spread to the lymph nodes and then to different parts of the body through the bloodstream.
Symptoms of breast cancer include nipple discharge, deformity, swelling and/or the presence of a mass in the breast and armpit area. Treatment methods for breast cancer vary depending on the stage at which the breast cancer is diagnosed. The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the higher the chances of successful treatment. Therefore, every woman should perform a self-examination of the breasts during the first week after the end of their menstrual period starting at the age of 20. For individuals between the ages of 40 and 69, it is recommended to have a mammogram once a year for breast cancer screening.
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast tissue consists of lobes, fatty tissue, ligaments, spaces (sinuses), glands, and milk ducts. Breast cancer, which results from the uncontrolled proliferation of cells within the breast tissue, is one of the leading causes of death after cardiovascular diseases. While breast cancer is rarely seen in men, it is the most common type of cancer in women. As with all types of cancer, in breast cancer, there are certain disruptions in the DNA of healthy cells. Consequently, the cells begin to multiply uncontrollably. Cancerous cells divide and multiply much faster than healthy cells and have a longer lifespan. Therefore, cancerous cells eventually lead to accumulations. The accumulation of cells that leads to mass formation is defined as a tumor.
In breast cancer, this situation often develops due to the rapid proliferation of cells located in the milk ducts or milk glands within the breast tissue. The cancer cells that start to multiply in these areas form a mass called a tumor. Tumors in breast cancer can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). These tumors, which can also be described as cancerous or non-cancerous, have different effects on the body. The proliferation of cells that lead to a malignant tumor is typically very slow in the early stages and does not cause symptoms. Therefore, the individual usually does not notice this condition in its initial phase. This allows the cancer to first spread to the lymph nodes and then metastasize to different parts of the body through the circulatory system. Breast cancer, which most commonly occurs between the ages of 50 and 70, is more frequently seen in individuals who have first-degree relatives with breast cancer. Hence, breast cancer screening is extremely important. It is recommended that all women undergo regular mammography starting at the age of 40, even if they do not show any symptoms of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women’s cancers and the second leading cause of death after lung cancer. It accounts for 24% of all female cancers and 14% of cancer-related deaths. It is reported that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. Breast cancer is also rarely seen in men, with one man diagnosed for every 100 women. The incidence of breast cancer has been found to increase each year. The high frequency of breast cancer, its increasing prevalence, the possibility of being treated at an early stage, and the feasibility of early diagnosis under current conditions highlight the importance of breast cancer.
What are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
The disease progresses slowly in its initial stages. Therefore, breast cancer may not show symptoms in the early stages. Some of the most common symptoms of breast cancer are as follows:
- Pain in the breast tissue
- Enlargement of the breast
- Difference in shape between the two breasts
- Severe pain not previously felt during menstrual periods
- Thickening or irritation of the breast skin
- A painless lump or swelling in the breast or armpit
- Structural changes such as dimpling or discoloration of the nipple
- Redness or sores on the nipple
- Peeling or flaking of the nipple
- Pink or red discharge from the nipple
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
The symptoms of breast cancer in men are similar to those in women. Symptoms of breast cancer in men often include discharge from the nipple and redness of the nipple. In addition, symptoms such as painless swelling in the breast tissue, dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the nipple can be seen. While these symptoms are not always indicative of cancer, they often lead individuals to consult a doctor. During these consultations, there is an opportunity for early diagnosis.
Stages of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer symptoms can vary at each stage. When examining breast cancer symptoms with images, differences in skin tissue can be observed between stages. Breast cancer consists of 5 main stages and 3 sub-stages:
Stage 0: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). The cancer is in its formation stage. It has not spread to surrounding tissues and is confined to the area where it started.
Stage 1: This is the early stage of invasive breast cancer. In Stage 1, the tumor is not larger than 2 cm, and cancer cells have not spread to other parts of the body (lymph nodes).
Stage 2:
- Stage 2A: There is no tumor in the breast, but there is cancer in the lymph nodes under the arm; or the tumor is 2 cm or smaller and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm; or the tumor is larger than 2 cm but smaller than 5 cm and has not spread to the lymph nodes under the arm.
- Stage 2B: The tumor is larger than 2 cm but smaller than 5 cm and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm; or the tumor is larger than 5 cm but has not spread to the lymph nodes under the arm.
Stage 3:
- Stage 3A: There is no tumor in the breast, but there is cancer in the lymph nodes under the arm that are clumped together or attached to surrounding tissues; or the tumor is 5 cm or smaller and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm that are clumped together or attached to surrounding tissues; or the tumor is larger than 5 cm and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm (which may be clumped together or attached to surrounding tissues).
- Stage 3B: The tumor can be of any size and has spread to tissues near the breast (skin or chest wall, ribs, or muscles in the chest wall) and may have spread to lymph nodes within the breast or under the arm.
- Stage 3C: The cancer has spread to lymph nodes below the collarbone and along the neck, and may have spread to lymph nodes within the breast and under the arm, as well as to tissues near the breast.
Stage 4: This is distant metastatic cancer. The cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The goal of treatment at this stage is to increase the patient’s lifespan and maintain a high quality of life.
Stage 3C is divided into operable and inoperable categories.
Operable Stage 3C breast cancer:
- There is involvement of 10 or more lymph nodes under the arm, or
- There is spread to lymph nodes below the collarbone and near the neck on the same side as the breast tumor, or
- There is spread to lymph nodes within the breast and under the arm.
Inoperable Stage 3C breast cancer:
- The cancer has spread to lymph nodes above the collarbone and there is involvement of lymph nodes near the neck on the same side as the breast tumor.
Causes of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer develops due to genetic and environmental factors. Having a family history of breast cancer increases an individual’s risk of developing the disease. Additionally, the following risk factors can also be considered as causes of breast cancer:
- Exposure to radiation
- A diet poor in fruits and vegetables
- Early onset of menstruation
- Long-term hormone use after menopause
- Low amount of fatty tissue in the breast
- Never having breastfed
- Long-term use of birth control pills
- Leading a sedentary lifestyle
- Advanced age
- Obesity
How Does Breast Cancer Develop?
A large portion of breast tissue consists of fatty tissue. During the breastfeeding period, the milk glands and milk ducts grow. This is the primary reason for the variation in breast tissue from person to person. Breast cancer originates from the differentiation of cells in the milk ducts and milk glands within the breast tissue. These cells, which are present in all healthy women, become cancerous when they multiply uncontrollably. Over time, the cancerous cells continue to multiply, leading to the formation of a mass. If the cancer is not treated, the cancerous cells will eventually spread throughout the body.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the diseases that necessitate awareness. This is because the disease does not show symptoms in the early stages. Every woman should perform a self-examination of their breasts once a month starting at the age of 20. If there are any changes in the breast tissue, nipple, or if a painless lump is detected, a doctor should be consulted immediately. After the age of 40, it is crucial for all women to have a mammogram at least once a year for early diagnosis. When a person consults a doctor with a suspicion of breast cancer, the doctor first listens to the patient’s history and performs a physical examination. If necessary, the doctor may request a mammogram, ultrasound, PET scan, MRI, or a biopsy. The treatment of breast cancer is based on the stage of the cancer and the patient’s current health condition. Although the primary goal in treatment is to preserve breast tissue, a mastectomy may be performed if necessary. After surgical intervention, radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be required.
Do not neglect to have regular mammograms for early detection of breast cancer.