Breast Cancer

Cancer can be found in numerous parts of the body. Breast cancer is a very common type of cancer which begins to grow within its tissue. It is found in the breast of both male and female individuals. With breast cancer there are two different types of cancer which are commonly known as:

• A ductal carcinoma – this starts in the part of the breast that has the tubes that enable the milk to move from the tissue to the nipple
• A lobular carcinoma – this actually begins in the lobules of the breast. This is the part that produces the milk and is found through out the whole of the breasts tissue.

Typically it is very uncommon for breast cancer to start in other parts of the breast. Ductal carcinoma is the most commonly found form of breast cancer.

It has been found that breast cancers can be susceptible to hormones. By this they mean that a hormone such as Oestrogen can have an impact upon the way that the cancer may grow more, this specific type of cancer is known in the medical world as a receptor positive cancer or an ER positive cancer. The type of breast cancer that is caused by the genetics in the individual of the sufferer is called HER2 positive breast cancer. This gene is often carried by some women which then enable the cancer to grow, divide itself and repair its self. If the person that had these genes was to develop a form of breast cancer it has be shown that they can experience a more aggressive and reoccurring type of cancer.

As with many other conditions breast cancer may not display any symptoms at all. It is very important to know what the symptoms of this illness are. Doctors through out the world recommend that women examine their own breast regularly to keep an eye out for lumps and any other slight changes that may occur. It is also recommended that they are examined by a doctor at lease once a year.

As the cancer starts to grow and spread the symptoms may become more apparent. They may be things like fluid coming from the nipple, a change in the breast size, shape, feel and this may also be similar to the changes in the nipple. There may be lumps discovered in the armpit or even on the breast itself. They are often hard and inflict no pain. Men can also experience symptoms that are very much alike.

If the cancer was to progress to an advanced stage the symptoms may become more prominent and severe. They could result in breast discomfort, skin ulcers, and bone pains, weightless and even swellings which are often found on the arm which is on the same side as the breast cancer.

The treatments for breast cancer are normally radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. These types of treatments are intended to destroy the cancerous tissues, kill them and remove them from the body.