What Exactly Is Breast Cancer?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Breast cancer is

a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control

. There are different kinds of breast cancer. The kind of breast cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn into cancer. Breast cancer can begin in different parts of the breast.

How is breast cancer transmitted?

You cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else’s body. Breast cancer is the result of

uncontrolled cell growth of mutated cells

that begin to spread into other tissues within the breast.

What type of cancer is breast cancer?

Most breast cancers are

carcinomas

, which are tumors that start in the epithelial cells that line organs and tissues throughout the body.

What are the 4 types of breast cancer?

Types of breast cancer include

ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive ductal carcinoma, inflammatory breast cancer, and metastatic breast cancer

.

What are the 7 signs of breast cancer?

  • Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or around the collarbone. …
  • Swelling of all or part of the breast. …
  • Skin irritation or dimpling. …
  • Breast or nipple pain.
  • Nipple retraction. …
  • Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin.
  • Nipple discharge.

Where is the first place breast cancer spreads?


The lymph nodes under your arm, inside your breast, and near your collarbone

are among the first places breast cancer spreads. It’s “metastatic” if it spreads beyond these small glands to other parts of your body.

What is the easiest breast cancer to treat?

Invasive breast cancers are staged I through IV, with

stage I

being the earliest stage and easiest to treat, while stages II and III represent advancing cancer, with stage IV representing breast cancer cells that have spread (metastasized) to distant organs like the bones, lungs, or brain.

How long can you have breast cancer without knowing?

Breast cancer has to

divide 30 times

before it can be felt. Up to the 28th cell division, neither you nor your doctor can detect it by hand. With most breast cancers, each division takes one to two months, so by the time you can feel a cancerous lump, the cancer has been in your body for two to five years.

Can you live 20 years with breast cancer?

Since the hazard rate associated with inflammatory breast cancer shows a sharp peak within the first 2 years and a rapid reduction in risk in subsequent years, it is highly likely that

the great majority of patients alive 20 years after diagnosis are cured

.

What is the normal breast shape?

1-9 What is the shape of the normal breast? The breast is

shaped like a pear

and the tail of breast tissue extends under the arm. Some women have breast tissue that can be felt in the armpit.

How fast does breast cancer grow?

Overall, the average doubling time of breast cancer was 212 days but

ranged from 44 days to 1800 days

. “Doubling time” is the amount of time it takes for a tumor to double in size. But it’s hard to actually estimate, since factors like type of cancer and tumor size come into play.

What is the deadliest breast cancer?


Metastatic Breast Cancer

The most serious and dangerous breast cancers – wherever they arise or whatever their type – are metastatic cancers. Metastasis means that the cancer has spread from the place where it started into other tissues distant from the original tumor site.

What is the most aggressive cancer?


Pancreatic cancer

is one of the most aggressive cancers in existence. It kills quickly and causes multiple painful and dangerous symptoms including stomach pain, biliary obstruction, bleeding, ascites, and more.

What is breast cancer pain like?

A cancerous lump may feel

rounded, soft, and tender

and can occur anywhere in the breast. In some cases, the lump can even be painful. Some women also have dense, fibrous breast tissue. Feeling lumps or changes in your breasts may be more difficult if this is the case.

How can a woman tell if she has breast cancer?


New lump in the breast or underarm

(armpit). Thickening or swelling of part of the breast. Irritation or dimpling of breast skin. Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.

Does breast cancer make u sick?

Some general symptoms that breast cancer may have spread include:

Feeling constantly tired

.

Constant nausea

(feeling sick) Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.