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What is breast cancer?

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Breast cancer is a description that refers to a family of cancers that can occur in any part of the breast tissue.  The disease is when malignant cells have formed in the tissues of the breast.  When the DNA of these cells has become damaged the cells divide and grow in an uncontrollable way and form a lump called a tumour.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer and is the most common cancer in women.  In the United States breast cancer in women has the highest incidence rate in the world.  Breast cancer can also occur in males as the breast tissue is composed of identical tissue but is 100 times less common.  Survival rates in men are the same as in women suffering from breast cancer.

Breast cancer is more common in women after they gone through the menopause but is also diagnosed in women under 50 each year.  One in nine women will develop breast cancer during their life.

The breast is made up of gland tissue which is divided into lobes, connective tissue and fat.  Each breast is not identical in size to the other and will usually feel different during the month, for example before a period they may feel lumpy.

Glandular tissue makes breasts dense and younger women have more glandular tissue.  After the menopause a women will have less glandular tissue and more fat, so the breast will not be as dense.  When a young woman has a mammogram, it is harder to read because of the denseness of the breast and so has been found to be not as reliable.

Breast tissue leads into the armpit, and the armpit has glands known as lymph glands or lymph nodes.  Lymph glands form part of the drainage system of the body and is known as the lymphatic system.  The lymphatic system assists in getting rid of the waste products in the body.  In breast cancer, the lymph nodes are always examined to check if any cancer cells have broken away from a tumour because the lymph fluid – yellow in colour – can be carried to the lymph glands.  Breast cancer is less likely to have spread if the lymph glands do not contain any cancer cells.

Brief History

Surprisingly, breast cancer has been known for over 3,500 years. In some forms, it has been treatable for around 130 years, mainly through mastectomies and removal of lymph nodes.

  • Pamelacm1217

    I am a 43 year old African American female and was just recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I went two years having experienced some of these same symptoms and had no insurance. So therefore i was unable to go to the doctor to confirm the fact that i did indeed have breast cancer. It was after I became very sick that I learned that mamograms were government funded and given free by local Health Departments and or free clinics in each state. I encourage any and everyone  to research this information and don’t wait until it’s  possibly to late!

  • Vickie

    i had breast surgy about six years ago the doctor thought that i for sure that i had breast cancer so he removed the lump and it came back that it wasnt i have had one mammogram since then and they scarred me with that one and i havent been back to have another one there is some signs that im not to sure of can you help me they are very sore all the time i have no leaking but  sometimes i think i can feel knots under my arms so im not real sure cancer does run in my family but not breast cancer i had a hysterectamy when i was 21 am i at greater risk i take no estrogen havent for 20 some years

  • wilma h shropshire

    what is malignant neoplasm breast cancer?

  • Sharie

    I am 46 years old, I found out yesterday that I have a large mass in my right breast. They first did the regular mamagram, after the doctor looked at those I was then took to another room where he performed a ultrasound. After looking at it for a while he then told me that I need to have the biospy next week. I have read the pamplets but I am still a lil confused and really scared and worried.