Breast cancer is a malignant growth or tumor beginning at the breast cells resulting from an uncontrolled division of cells which can invade into neighbouring tissues or spread (metastasize) to different parts of the body. The most common invasive cancer among women worldwide predominantly begins in the cells lining the ducts (ductal carcinoma). Sometimes breast cancer begins in the cells lining the lobules (lobular carcinoma), and in very few cases it starts in other tissues. There are different factors that contribute to the cause of this disease, such as genetics, obesity, exposure to radiation, dense breast tissue and estrogen exposure, to name a few.

• This disease is almost 100 times more common in women than in men
• The risk of acquiring breast cancer increases with age. Nearly 2 out of 3 breast cancer patients are older than 55 years of age
• The risk of breast cancer is nearly doubled among those whose blood relatives (like mother, sister or daughter) have the disease
• Nearly 5 - 10% of breast cancer cases are inherited from the parent, which means they are hereditary in nature
• The risk of developing a new cancer in another part of the breast, or the other breast is increased among women who are already diagnosed with breast cancer (this is not the same as recurrence or return of the first cancer)
• Exposure to radiation (especially through chest x-rays) during adolescence, increases the risk of developing breast cancer
• The risk of developing breast cancer is slightly increased among women who have their first child after 30 years of age
• Women using combined hormone therapy after menopause are thought to have a higher risk of getting breast cancer than women who don’t use the therapy
• Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of developing cancer
• Women who are overweight after menopause are at a higher risk of getting breast cancer due to increased estrogen levels and increased insulin

• New lump(s) or area(s) of thickened tissue in the breast(s)
• Swelling in the breast(s)
• Pain in the breast or nipples
• Skin rash, scaly or patchy skin around the breast or nipples
• Discharge from the nipple (other than breast milk) or change in the shape of nipples, like inverted or sunken nipples
• Dimpling or puckering around the nipple(s) or on the breast skin

Screening tests (like mammograms) are crucial because they help in early detection of breast cancer, even before the symptoms set in. Early detection significantly increases the chance of curing breast cancer. ⁴

Mammogram is yet another effective way of detecting breast cancer symptoms. It is a special type of X-ray that captures images of the breast tissue to help detecting tumors. It is suggested that women of 40+ years of age should undergo annual breast cancer screening with mammograms.

Regular self-examination of breasts is an effective way to detect signs of cancer. The best time to practice self-examination is 3-5 days after the menstrual cycle begins. During the menopause phase, self-examination can be done on the same day of the month.

How to conduct self-examination:

If diagnosed with breast cancer, it is important to determine the stage of cancer so that appropriate medical treatment can be provided by doctors. Breast cancer is usually classified into 4 stages. These stages are further divided into sub categories within them and are classified using alphabets.

Stage 0 
It is called ‘situ’, means “in the original place”, referring to the fact that the cancer has stayed in the milk glands or ducts of the breast where it has started.

Stage I 
This level onwards the cancer becomes invasive, or to say it breaks free and can attack healthy tissue.

• IA: The cancer spreads to the fatty breast tissue
• IB: Very small amounts of cancer cells may be found in few lymph nodes

Stage II
The cancer grows and/or spreads

• IIA: If there is a tumor in the breast then it is still small. Up to 3 lymph nodes may be affected.
• IIB: The tumor may be the size of a walnut and may not be in the lymph nodes.

Stage III 
The cancer is harder to fight at this stage though no organs or bones have been affected.

• IIIA: Cancer is present in up to 9 lymph nodes between the collarbones and underarm, or it spreads to or enlarges the lymph nodes in the breast. In some cases there may also be a tumor.
• IIIB: Even if it has not spread to the lymph nodes, the tumor has grown into the chest walls or skin around the breast.
• IIIC: The cancer spreads to 10 or more lymph nodes, has spread above or below the collarbone or even if fewer lymph nodes are affected outside but those inside the breast are enlarged or cancerous. 

Stage IV 
When the cancer spreads far away from lymph nodes. The most common sites are the bones, lungs, liver and brain

There are numerous treatment options available for breast cancer patients. The 5 types of standard treatment options for breast cancer include:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy
• Targeted therapy

While suffering from any illness, it is important to maintain proper hygiene. As the immune system is vulnerable during treatment it is essential to take precautions to avoid more infections. Some vital habits to meticulously follow are:

• Washing/wiping/sanitizing hands regularly
• Maintaining a balanced diet to ensure that all essential nutritional requirements are met
• Drinking a minimum of 8 to 10 glasses of water in a day
• Avoiding alcohol consumption
• Ensuring adequate fluid intake
• Exercising regularly as per the doctor's’ guidance
• Nourishing and cleaning the skin by exfoliation and moisturization