Breast Cancer

TYPES OF BREAST CANCER

Most common types based on its origin DUCTAL CARCINOMA:or DCIS, starts in the
cells which line the breast's ducts that supply
milk to the nipple.
Between 85% and 90% of all breast cancers are
Ductal.
LOBULAR CARCINOMA: or LCIS,begins in the
lobes, or glands which produce milk in the breast.
About 8% of breast cancers are lobular.

What causes Breast cancer

Breast cancer is always caused by a genetic
abnormality (a mistake in the genetic material).
However, only 5-10% of cancers are due to an
abnormality inherited from your mother or father.
About 90% of breast cancers are due to genetic
abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging
process and the wear and tear of life in general.

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

Gender: female (1% males)
Race: more common in whites
Age: increases as a woman gets
older.
Relative : (mother or sister)
Menstrual history :early on set late
menopause
Childbirth: first child After the age of
30 or having no children at all

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

Obesity
Diet: Fat & Alcohol
Lack of Physical Activity ; Stress
Radiation Exposure
History of cancer: breast, uterus,
cervix, ovary
Hormones: estrogens in Hormone
replacement therapy & Birth
control pills
Genetics : certain conditions that
are inheritated

THE STAGES
Stage 0: Cancer cells remain inside the breast
duct, no invasion into normal adjacent breast
tissue.
Stage I: Cancer -2 cm or less - confined to the
breast (lymph nodes are clear).
Stage IIA: No tumor in the breast - cancer cells in
axillary lymph nodes
OR
tumor - <2 cm -has spread to axillary lymph
nodes
OR
tumor - >2cm but <5 cm -has not spread to
axillary lymph nodes.

 Stage IIB: tumor >2cm but <5 cm - has

spread to axillary lymph nodes
OR
tumor >5 cm - has not spread to the axillary
lymph nodes.
Stage IIIA: No tumor in breast - Cancer in
axillary lymph nodes (near the breastbone or
closely stuck)
OR
Any size tumor - Cancer has spread to
axillary lymph nodes (near the breastbone or
closely stuck)

 Stage IIIB: Any size tumor - has spread to

chest wall and/or skin
of the breast-to axillary
lymph nodes (clustered and close by)
Stage IIIC: May be no cancer in breast or Any
size tumor - has spread to chest wall and/or
skin of breast- lymph nodes above/below
collarbone and breastbone.
Stage IV: cancer has spread or
metastasized to other parts of the body.

SYMPTOMS...
No symptoms in early stages hence, regular breast
exams.
Breast lump or in armpit hard, no pain- self
examination.
Redness, dimpling or puckering of breast.
Bloody, clear or yellow, green- pus like secretions.
Advanced symptoms Bone pain.
Breast pain/discomfort.
Skin ulcers.
Swelling of arm next to affected breast.
Rapid weight loss.

TREATMENT.
Surgery: Lumpectomy, Quadrantectomy, Mastectomy,
Sentinel
node Biopsy, (Mammography)
Radiation Therapy and Hyperthermia
Chemotherapy: Taxol, 5-FU, Cyclophosphamide,
Adriamycin
Hormonal Therapy: SERMs (Tamoxifen), Aromatase
inhibitors (Aromasin) etc.
Targeted Biologic therapies : Anti cancer drugsHerceptin, Avastin etc.
Cope with side effects.
Various combinations of the above therapies are
employed to cure Breast cancer depending on its
stage.

PREVENTION
Administer Tamoxifen- for women >35 years old
Consider prophylactic mastectomy for previously
affected women, or those with strong family
history.
Lifestyle changes.
Limit or stop alcohol consumption.
Support groups can help create awareness.