Early diagnosis of breast cancer can significantly increase treatment success. Screening tests such as mammography can detect cancer even when it is at an early stage, allowing for more effective treatment options. In addition, the person can notice the changes with regular self-examination.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the breast tissue and usually occurs in the breast lobules (glands that produce milk) or ducts (ducts that carry milk to the breast). Over time, these cancer cells can invade breast tissue and even spread to surrounding tissues or other body parts. Although breast cancer is usually seen in women, it can also rarely occur in men. The frequency of breast cancer in women is much higher than in men. It is generally more common in women over the age of 50, but can occur in any age group.
Breast cancer stages are a classification system used to determine the extent and extent of spread of cancer. The stages of breast cancer are as follows:
- Stage 0 (Carcinoma in situ): At this stage, cancer cells are only in the breast lobules or ducts and have not spread.
- Stage I: At this stage, the cancer is limited to a small area of breast tissue and has usually not spread to lymph nodes or other areas.
- Stage II: In Stage II, the cancer may have spread to a larger area of breast tissue and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage III: At this stage, the cancer has spread to a larger area of breast tissue or surrounding tissues and may have spread to the lymph nodes.
- Stage IV: At this stage, the cancer has spread beyond the breast tissue and has metastasized to distant organs (for example, bones, liver, lungs, or brain).
What causes breast cancer?
The exact cause of breast cancer is unknown. However, there are many factors that increase the risk of breast cancer. These factors are:
- Age
- family history
- genetic mutations
- dense breast tissue
- Long-term estrogen and progesterone exposure
- Obesity
- Alcohol and cigarette use
- exposure to radiation
The risk of breast cancer is higher in women who have never given birth or who have given birth late.
Breast cancer usually begins as a tumor in the cells of the breast. In the early stages, there are usually no symptoms of breast cancer, so regular mammography and clinical examinations are of great importance. However, some symptoms may include a palpable lump in the breast tissue, changes in the breast skin, nipple discharge, or a noticeable change in breast size or shape. We can give the following answers to the question of how breast cancer is diagnosed:
- Mass or swelling in the breast
- Redness, flaking or depression in the breast skin
- nipple discharge
- Change in breast size or shape
- Pain in the nipple or breast
- Orange peel appearance on breast skin
- Swelling or mass under the armpit
- It can be understood by pain or tenderness in a part of the breast.
This information is for informational purposes only. If you have a medical question, it is important to consult your doctor.