Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is fairly common. Breast cancer can occur at any age. The average age of women when they are diagnosed with breast cancer is 59 years. However, about a quarter of women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 50 years.
Breast cancer can also develop in men, although this is rare. Male breast cancer accounts for about 1% of all breast cancer.
We don't know exactly how long breast cancer takes to develop, but it usually grows slowly. It can be several years before a breast cancer becomes big enough to be detected.
Breast cancer starts in the ducts or lobules of the breast. If the cancer cells spread outside the ducts or lobules of the breast into the surrounding tissue, this is called invasive breast cancer. Early breast cancer is an invasive breast cancer. Invasive cancer cells sometimes spread outside the breast area to other parts of the body. They do this by moving through blood vessels, such as veins, or through lymphatic vessels. Lymphatic vessels are next to veins in the body, and are connected to lymph nodes (glands). Lymph nodes collect normal fluid and dead cells from the lymphatic vessels.
If the cancer cells are contained in the breast and armpit area, then the cancer is 'early breast cancer'. If the cancer has spread to places near the breast, such as the chest (including the skin, muscles or bones of the chest), but the cancer isn't found in other areas of the body, this is called locally advanced breast cancer. If the cancer cells spread from the breast and are found in other areas of the body, such as the bones or the lungs, this is called metastatic breast cancer.
Early detection
Why find breast cancer early?
Finding breast cancer early means that you have more treatment options and your chances of survival are better. Survival is lower if the cancer has already spread outside the breast when it is diagnosed. As an example, about 9 out of 10 women whose cancer is diagnosed before it has spread outside the breast will be alive 5 years later. However, if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body at diagnosis, only about 2 out of 10 women will be alive 5 years later.
What can you do?The best course of action depends on your age and other factors. For all women of all ages it is important that you know what you can do to find breast cancer early.
What happens if a breast change is found?Most breast changes are not due to breast cancer. If, at any age, you have a change in your breast, you might need to have a number of tests, including some or all of the following:
- examination of your breasts by your Drs. Nicolas & Asp doctor
- mammography and/or ultrasound
- a fine needle biopsy or core biopsy
It’s important that you are aware of the normal look and feel of your breasts. Getting to know what is normal for you will help you recognize new or unusual breast changes. If you do notice any new or unusual changes in your breast see your Drs. Nicolas & Asp doctor as soon as possible.
Breast awareness means looking at your breasts and feeling them regularly, maybe while you’re showering or dressing. This should only take a few minutes. You don’t have to use any special method or do it at any particular time of the month (although some women prefer to do it after their menstrual period when their breasts are less lumpy and less tender). Some women prefer to use a structured approach for the examination of their breasts.
Although there’s no ‘right way’ to check your breasts, you might find the following tips helpful.
- Look at your breasts and nipples in the mirror and check for:
- a change in the size or shape of your breast or nipple
- a change in the skin over your breast such as redness or dimpling
- a nipple discharge
- Feel your breasts, remembering to feel up to your collarbone, below your bra-line and under your armpit and check for:
- a new lump or lumpiness especially if it is in one breast
- You should also report any unusual persistent pain, especially if it is in one breast.
Regular screening mammograms are not recommended for you. Younger women have denser breasts than older women. This means that the effectiveness of the mammogram in finding breast cancer early is greatly reduced. Generally, breasts become less dense as women get older, particularly after the menopause.
Mammograms are X-rays of the breast. They are used to look for signs of breast cancer. Mammograms are used to investigate breast changes.
They are also used to look for signs of breast cancer in women who do not have breast changes. This is called a ‘screening mammogram’.
