Lobules are the glands that produce milk, and ducts are the pathways that bring the milk from the glands to the nipple. Cancer can also occur in the fatty tissue or the fibrous connective tissue within your breast.
The uncontrolled cancer cells often invade other healthy breast tissue and can travel to the lymph nodes under the arms. The lymph nodes are a primary pathway that helps the cancer cells move to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer is most common cancer in women
There are several types of breast cancer, which are broken into two main categories:
“invasive” (as mentioned above), and “noninvasive,” or in situ. While invasive cancer has
spread from the breast ducts or glands to other parts of the breast, noninvasive cancer has
not spread from the original tissue.
These two categories are used to describe the most common types of breast cancer, which
include:
Ductal carcinoma in situ. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a noninvasive
condition. With DCIS, the cells that line the ducts in your breast change and look
cancerous. However, DCIS cells haven’t invaded the surrounding breast tissue.
Lobular carcinoma in situ. Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is cancer that
grows in the milk-producing glands of your breast. Like DCIS, the cancer cells haven’t yet
invaded the surrounding tissue.
Invasive ductal carcinoma. Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is the most
common type of breast cancer. This type of breast cancer begins in your breast’s milk ducts
and then invades nearby tissue in the breast. Once the breast cancer has spread to the
tissue outside your milk ducts, it can begin to spread to other nearby organs and
tissue.
Invasive lobular carcinoma. Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) first develops
in your breast’s lobules. If breast cancer is diagnosed as ILC, it has already spread to
nearby tissue and organs.
Other, less common types of breast cancers are also there.
Adult women of all ages are encouraged to perform breast self-exams at least once a month. While mammograms can help you to detect cancer before you can feel a lump, breast self-exams help you to be familiar with how your breasts look and feel so you can alert your healthcare professional if there are any changes.
In the
Shower
Using the pads of your fingers, move around your entire breast in a
circular pattern moving from the outside to the center, checking the entire breast and armpit
area. Check both breasts each month feeling for any lump, thickening, or hardened knot. Notice
any changes and get lumps evaluated by your healthcare provider.
In Front of a
Mirror
Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next,
raise your arms high overhead. Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling of
the skin, or changes in the nipples. Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex
your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women's breasts do, so
look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.
Lying
Down
When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest
wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your
left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast gently in small circular
motions covering the entire breast area and armpit. Use light, medium, and firm pressure.
Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.
Cancer is a complex disease syndrome.it demands a rigorous management to follow.
