Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women today, and its numbers continue to rise in both India and across the globe. While many people believe breast cancer is only hereditary, medical research shows a different truth—almost 85% of breast cancer cases occur in women with no family history of the disease.
This means every woman — irrespective of her background, age, or genetics — must stay informed and take preventive steps. Awareness saves lives, and early detection dramatically increases survival rates.
This comprehensive guide explains what breast cancer is, its types, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment options, and why Universal Hospital, Surat is trusted for breast cancer care.
1. What Is Breast Cancer?
→ Breast cancer occurs when breast cells grow uncontrollably, forming a mass or tumor. These cells can invade surrounding tissue and may spread (metastasize) to other organs, making it a potentially life-threatening disease.
Where does it start?
Breast cancer typically begins in:
• Milk ducts (most common)
• Lobules (milk-producing glands)
• Fatty or connective tissue
It can affect one or both breasts. In rare cases, men can also develop breast cancer.
Why is breast cancer increasing?
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Hormonal factors
• Late motherhood
• Processed foods
• Stress
• Environmental chemicals
These modern lifestyle changes play a huge role in increasing breast cancer risk—even without family history.
2. Breast Cancer Types
→ Understanding the type of breast cancer helps in choosing the right treatment. Here are the major types:
2.1 Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
→ A non-invasive cancer where abnormal cells remain inside the duct.
→ Early-stage and highly treatable.
2.2 Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)
→ Not a cancer but a marker of increased cancer risk on both breasts.
2.3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
→ The most common type (70–80% of cases).
→ Starts in milk ducts and spreads to surrounding tissue.
2.4 Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)
→ Starts in lobules and can spread to nearby and distant parts.
2.5 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
A fast-growing, aggressive type more common in:
• Younger women
• Indian women
• Women with BRCA mutations
TNBC does not respond to hormone therapy.
2.6 HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
→ Cancer cells have extra HER2 protein, making them grow fast.
→ However, modern targeted therapies are highly effective.
2.7 Inflammatory Breast Cancer
→ A rare cancer that causes redness, swelling, and thickening of breast skin.
→ Often missed due to lack of a typical “lump.”
2.8 Metastatic Breast Cancer
→ Cancer that has spread to lungs, liver, bones, brain, or lymph nodes.
→ Treatment focuses on control, relief, and quality of life.
3. What Are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
→ Breast cancer doesn’t always start with a painful lump.
→ Many women notice subtle changes in their breast, skin, or nipples.
Here are the most common symptoms:
3.1 Lump or Thickening
• Hard, painless lump
• Found in breast or underarm
• Feels different from normal breast tissue
3.2 Change in Breast Size or Shape
→ One breast appears suddenly larger, swollen, or saggy.
3.3 Skin Texture Changes
• Dimpling (orange peel appearance)
• Redness
• Itching or scaling
These symptoms might indicate inflammatory breast cancer.
3.4 Nipple Changes
• Inverted nipple
• Unusual discharge (clear, yellow, or bloody)
• Crusting or rashes
3.5 Breast Pain
→ Cancer lumps usually don’t hurt, but persistent pain must be investigated.
3.6 Swelling
→ Even without a lump, swelling or heaviness may appear.
3.7 Visible Veins on Breast
→ Suddenly visible veins could indicate an underlying tumor.
When to see a doctor?
→ Any breast change lasting more than 2–3 weeks must be evaluated.
4. What Causes Breast Cancer?
→ Breast cancer develops from a combination of factors—not only genetics.
→ This is why women with no family history still develop breast cancer.
4.1 Age
→ Most cases occur in women over 40, with risk rising sharply after 50.
4.2 Hormonal Factors
→ Longer exposure to estrogen increases risk:
• Early menstruation (before 12)
• Late menopause (after 55)
• Late pregnancy or no pregnancy
• Long-term use of hormone therapy
4.3 Lifestyle Factors
→ Important contributors include:
• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• High-fat diet
• Regular alcohol use
• Smoking
4.4 Genetics (BRCA1, BRCA2)
→ Only 5–10% cases are hereditary.
→ Most people think family history is the biggest cause—but it isn’t.
4.5 Breast Density
→ Dense breast tissue increases risk and makes mammograms harder to read.
4.6 Environmental Exposure
• Chemicals
• Radiation
• Polluted environments
4.7 Stress & Poor Sleep
→ Long-term stress alters hormones and weakens immunity.
Key Understanding
👉 Even with a perfect lifestyle, you can still be at risk.
👉 The biggest danger is late diagnosis, not the disease itself.
5. How Is Breast Cancer Diagnosed?
→ Diagnosis is done using multiple tests to confirm cancer type, stage, and spread.
5.1 Breast Self-Examination (BSE)
→ Women should check breasts monthly for:
• Lumps
• Skin changes
• Nipple discharge
5.2 Clinical Breast Examination
→ A gynecologist checks for abnormalities every 6–12 months.
5.3 Mammography
→ The most important screening tool.
Recommended timing:
• Women 40+ : Once a year
• High-risk women : Starting at 30
Mammograms detect tumors before symptoms appear.
5.4 Ultrasound
→ Helpful for dense breast tissue and younger women.
5.5 MRI Scan
→ Used for:
• High-risk women
• Ambiguous mammograms
• TNBC evaluation
5.6 Biopsy (Final Confirmation)
→ Types:
• Needle biopsy
• Core biopsy
• Surgical biopsy
This confirms whether the lump is cancerous.
5.7 Staging Tests
→ Once cancer is confirmed, tests determine its spread:
• CT scan
• PET scan
• Bone scan
6. Treatment Options for Breast Cancer
→ Breast cancer treatment has advanced significantly. Many women recover completely with early diagnosis.
Treatment is customized depending on:
• Stage
• Tumor size
• Cancer type
• Patient’s age
• Genetic factors
6.1 Surgery
→ Most common treatments include:
• Lumpectomy – removes only the tumor
• Mastectomy – removes entire breast
• Reconstructive surgery – restores appearance
6.2 Chemotherapy
→ Destroys rapidly growing cancer cells.
Used:
• Before surgery (to shrink tumor)
• After surgery (to prevent spread)
6.3 Radiation Therapy
→ Kills remaining cancer cells after surgery.
6.4 Hormone Therapy
→ Works for cancers sensitive to estrogen or progesterone.
6.5 Targeted Therapy
→ Modern drugs that attack specific cancer markers like HER2.
→ Highly effective with fewer side effects.
6.6 Immunotherapy
→ Boosts immune system to attack cancer cells.
→ Especially beneficial in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
6.7 Supportive Therapies
Includes:
• Nutrition
• Pain management
• Physiotherapy
• Psychological counseling
These improve quality of life during treatment.
Please refer to this Cancer Recovery Therapy named Chemotherapy Blog: What Is Chemotherapy? How It Works, Benefits and Side Effects
