Breast Cancer Awareness

1. What is it?

Cancer is the classification of over 100 diseases in which cells grow uncontrollably. Breast cancer is the form of cancer that affects the cells in the breasts. Tissues are formed by a group of cells that share a similar structure, and sometimes the process of cell growth can mess up, leading to new cells forming when they are not needed or old cells not dying as they should. This buildup of excess cells can form lumps (also known as tumors). Cancer cells can spread by breaking away from the original tumor and making their way into blood or lymph vessels. The lymphatic system is a series of tissues and organs that assist in ridding the body of toxins and waste. As cancer cells enter lymph vessels, they can start to grow in lymph nodes (small, bean-shaped organs that act as filters). Having cancer cells in the lymph nodes makes it more likely that cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Breast cancer can originate in different parts of the breast, which is mainly made up of lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. Lobules are glands responsible for producing milk, ducts for transporting this milk to the nipple, and connective tissue for holding everything together. Cancer usually begins in the ducts (invasive Ductal Carcinoma) or lobules (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma). These are just two of the most common kinds of breast cancer but there are several others.

2. Causes

While it is often impossible to pinpoint the exact cause of Breast Cancer, there are certain risk factors. For instance, it is known that alterations or mutations in DNA can cause normal breast cells to become cancer. However, finding the exact cause for these mutations is often tricky. About 5-10% of breast cancer cases come from mutations that are inherited (passed down through family members). The most common mutations are in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are tumor suppressors which usually have the job of controlling cell growth and cell death. On average, women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation have up to a 7 in 10 chance of getting breast cancer by age 80 and are also more likely to have cancer in both breasts.

Other risk factors that are hereditary include age, gender, ethnicity, breast tissue density, and family history of breast cancer. On the other hand, there are factors that can occur during one’s life which can cause genetic mutations (known as acquired mutations). These factors include radiation and cancerous chemicals but are still largely unknown since scientists have not been able to identify the cause behind most acquired mutations.

3. Symptoms

Symptoms of breast cancer vary from person to person-- in fact, some may not experience or notice any symptoms at all. Nonetheless, here are a few of the most common warning signs to be mindful of.

Lumps on breasts or underarms that don't go away. Many lumps are non-cancerous, but can also be the first sign of breast cancer.
Swelling near armpits or collarbones.
Breast changes in size, color, or appearance
Nipple changes
- A newly inverted nipple
- Crusting or flaking of the skin around the nipple (areola)
- Burning sensation
- Dimples
Unusual nipple discharge
Breast pain

It is important to keep in mind that experiencing any of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean that someone has breast cancer, but they are somethings to pay attention to and look out for.

4. Diagnosis

There are multiple ways breast cancer can be diagnosed:

Mammograms: A mammogram is simply an X-Ray of the breast. While screening mammograms are also routinely conducted, diagnostic mammograms occur after symptoms or signs of breast cancer become prevalent. Diagnostic mammograms involve more X-Ray scans to view any abnormalities from different vantage points. Mammograms are not 100% accurate when it comes to detecting breast cancer, but improvements in technology have made them significantly more reliable.
Ultrasounds: This is a scan that uses soundwaves to paint a picture of what’s going on inside the breast tissue. Ultrasounds are helpful when a lump is large enough to be felt since they can distinguish whether the lump is made up of solid mass (which is most likely cancer) or a fluid-filled cyst (most likely not cancer).
Biopsy: This is a test that removes a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope. A pathologist (a doctor who evaluates cells, tissues, and organs to diagnose diseases) then analyzes these samples. While the other two methods of diagnosis can hint at whether cancer is present, a biopsy can definitively conclude its presence. There are multiple ways a biopsy can be conducted.
- Fine needle aspiration: This method uses a thin needle to remove a small sample of cells. It is most helpful if a lump is filled with fluid.
- Core needle biopsy: This method uses a larger needle to remove a larger sample of cells. It is most helpful in determining whether an abnormality or lump is a sign of invasive cancer (when cancer has spread to surrounding lymph nodes).

A breast cancer diagnosis can also indicate which stage breast cancer is in. There are four stages of breast cancer (4 being the most severe) and stage number is calculated based on a variety of factors:

Tumor Grade: identifies how different a cancer cell’s appearance and growth is from that of a normal, healthy cell.
Hormone Receptor Status: Hormone receptors are proteins that bind to a specific hormone and are involved in cell growth. Breast cancer cells having receptors for the hormones estrogen or progesterone means that they can easily promote their growth
HER2 Status: The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 is a gene that is responsible for making proteins that help control how a healthy breast cell grows, multiplies, and repairs itself. In a small fraction of breast cancer cases, though, the HER2 gene makes too many copies of itself and can cause cells to multiply uncontrollably.
Cancer size: the size of the cancer tumor and whether it has grown into neighboring tissue
Presence in lymph nodes
Whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body

5. Treatment

The treatment given to breast cancer patients varies depending on what stage they are of cancer. The most common treatment given to patients is surgery, which removes the tumor. Some surgery treatments are:

Lumpectomy: Surgery that aims to remove cancer from the breast.
Lymph node dissection: Surgery that removes cancer in the lymph nodes.
Mastectomy

Partial mastectomy: Surgery that removes a small area of the breast that contains

cancer.

Radical mastectomy: Surgery that removes the breast and lymph nodes, which may

contain cancer.

Many cancer patients are also given chemotherapy, which aims to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy and radiation is given through the form of pills that reduce cancer symptoms and kill cancer cells.

6. Prevention

Some steps you can take to ensure your immunity from breast cancer include limiting/decreasing alcohol intake and smoking, staying physically active, and avoiding exposure to large amounts of radiation. It is also important to have a healthy diet and be aware of any early signs of breast cancer. It is easier to fight cancer during its early stages, so it is highly crucial to be alert of any symptoms.

7. Resources + Volunteer Info

Some places you can donate to / volunteer at to help breast cancer are: