About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer begins in the tissues of the breast. Though it is the most common invasive cancer in women, breast cancer can also occur in men. It is essential to understand the anatomy of the breasts before learning about how to treat breast cancer. Breasts are organs (usually two in number) that sit on the upper part of the chest and comprise different types of tissues, including: Lobules (glands that secrete milk in women to enable breastfeeding) Ducts (small canals in the breast that carry milk from the lobules to the nipples) Nipples (the opening of the breast that allows the expulsion of milk) Blood and lymph vessels Fatty tissue The amount of fatty tissues in the breast determines its size. Depending upon where in the breast the cancerous growth starts, its nature and tendency to spread, breast cancer can be of the following types: Ductal carcinoma (invasive and in-situ) Lobular carcinoma (invasive and in-situ) Triple-negative breast cancer Inflammatory breast cancer Breast cancer life expectancy has significantly improved in the past few years. Many factors increase one’s risk of developing breast cancer, with increasing age being the most common. Breast cancer is more common in women over 55 years of age. Other risk factors include family history, breast density, unhealthy lifestyle, breast implants, and increased body weight.