A woman’s breast consists of fat, connective tissue and thousand of tiny glands which produce milk.

Our bodies are made up of billions of little cells.  New cells are only made when they needed.

In cancer, these cells start to grow and multiply uncontrollably.

Cancer of the breast usually shows a lump in the breast tissue. 

Please remember:  Not all breast lumps are cancerous.

 

Types of breast cancer:

- Non-invasive breast cancer is when the cancer is found in the ducts of the breast and doesn’t have the ability to spread outside the breast.  Rarely a lump is palpable

- Invasive breast cancer is when the cancer can spread outside the breast

There are less common types: Inflammatory breast cancer, lobular breast cancer affecting the milk-producing lobules and Paget’s disease.

 

Diagnosing:

- Check your own breasts once a month for any new or abnormal lumps

- If  you are over 40 have an annual mammogram

- If you are younger than 40 and have a family history of Breast cancer, you can ask your doctor for a breast ultrasound

- Genetic screening can be done for woman who have a higher –than-average  risk of developing breast cancer

 

Treatment: 

Treatment depends on the type of cancer and includes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

Some breast cancers may be treated with biological or hormone treatment.

Being diagnosed with cancer affect your life in many ways.  Just remember there is support available for many aspects  of cancer including emotional and financial.