female breast cancer

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control and form tumors [3]. It can start in one or both breasts [4]. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the lining of the milk ducts [9].

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

The first noticeable symptom of breast cancer is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue [6]. Other symptoms may include:

• A new lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the armpit
• A change in the size or shape of the breast
• A dimple or puckering in the skin
• Lumps in your breasts, swelling, and redness are the most common signs and symptoms of breast cancer [8]

Characteristics of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer can have a number of characteristics, including:

• A nipple that looks flattened or turns inward
• A breast lump or thickened area of skin that feels different from the surrounding tissue

These characteristics may be indicative of breast cancer, but it's essential to consult a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis.

References:

[1] BYB Campaign · 2024 — Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. [3] BYB Campaign · 2024 — There are different types of breast cancer. [4] Nov 19, 2021 — Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast. It can start in one or both breasts. [6] Feb 14, 2024 — A new lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the armpit. · A change in the size or shape of the breast. · A dimple or puckering in the ... [8] Lumps in your breasts, swelling, and redness are the most common signs and symptoms of breast cancer. [9] Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the lining of the milk ducts.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Female Breast Cancer

Breast cancer can manifest in various ways, and it's essential to be aware of the possible symptoms to detect the disease early. Here are some common signs and symptoms of female breast cancer:

• New Lump or Mass: A painless, hard mass that has irregular edges is more likely to be cancerous. However, breast cancers can also be soft, round, tender, or even painful.
• Breast Swelling: Thickening or swelling of part of the breast can be a symptom of breast cancer.
• Skin Changes: Dimpling skin, redness, or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast can indicate breast cancer.
• Nipple Discharge: Unusual discharge from the nipple, other than breast milk, including blood, can be a sign of breast cancer.
• Changes to Breast Size or Shape: A change in size or shape of one or both breasts can be a symptom of breast cancer.

Other Possible Symptoms

While not as common, other possible symptoms of breast cancer include:

• Breast Pain: While breast pain is not always a definitive sign of breast cancer, it can be a symptom.
• Nipple Pulling In: If the nipple pulls in or becomes inverted, it can be a sign of breast cancer.

Risk Factors

While these symptoms do not automatically mean you have breast cancer, being aware of them can help with early detection. Some risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer include:

• Age: Breast cancer typically affects women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) age 50 and older.
• Family History: A family history of breast cancer increases the risk.
• Genetic Mutations: Certain genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can increase the risk.

Early Detection

Knowing how your breasts look and feel, and being alert for these signs and symptoms, can help you detect breast cancer early. Regular self-exams and clinical breast exams can also aid in early detection.

References:

• [1] Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include: ... Beginning menopause after age 55 increases the risk of breast cancer.
• [2] The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass (although most breast lumps are not cancer).
• [3] Some of the symptoms are similar to the signs of breast cancer in women. But because it's so rare, you may not pay attention to the symptoms until the cancer has grown.
• [4] Most breast cancer symptoms are discovered by women during regular daily activities like bathing.
• [5] Breast cancer typically affects women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) age 50 and older.

Breast Cancer Diagnostic Tests

Breast cancer can be diagnosed through various tests, including imaging tests and biopsies. Here are some common diagnostic tests used to detect female breast cancer:

• Mammograms: A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast tissue that uses low-energy X-rays to produce images of the breast (10). Mammograms are commonly used to screen for breast cancer in women over 40 years old.
• Ultrasounds: Ultrasound tests use sound waves to create images of the breast tissue. They can be used as a follow-up test after an abnormal mammogram or as a screening tool for younger women (12).
• Imaging tests: Other imaging tests, such as MRI and CT scans, may also be used to diagnose breast cancer (13).
• Biopsies: A biopsy involves removing a sample of tissue from the breast and examining it under a microscope. There are several types of biopsies, including fine-needle aspiration biopsy, core needle biopsy, and surgical biopsy (14).

Lab Tests

In addition to imaging tests and biopsies, lab tests can also be used to diagnose breast cancer. These include:

• Hormone receptor test: This test checks for the presence of hormone receptors in breast cancer cells (11).
• HER2/neu test: This test checks for the presence of HER2 protein in breast cancer cells (11).

Early Detection

Early detection and diagnosis are crucial in treating breast cancer effectively. The American Cancer Society recommends that women over 40 years old get a mammogram every year, while younger women may need to start screening earlier or more frequently depending on their risk factors.

References:

[10] Feb 10, 2024 — A mammogram is an X-ray

Overview of Drug Treatment for Female Breast Cancer

Breast cancer treatment has evolved significantly, and targeted drug therapy has become a crucial aspect of managing this disease. For women with breast cancer, various medications can be used to target specific proteins that help cancer cells grow, spread, and live longer.

Types of Medications Used

Several types of medications are used in the treatment of female breast cancer:

• Hormone Therapy: This type of therapy uses drugs to prevent hormones, especially estrogen, from fueling the growth of breast cancer cells. Without estrogen, tumors can shrink or stop growing.
• Aromatase Inhibitors: These medications block the production of estrogen in postmenopausal women, which can help slow down tumor growth.
• Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs): SERMs, such as tamoxifen and raloxifene, are used to treat breast cancer by blocking estrogen receptors on cancer cells.

Specific Medications Used

Some specific medications used in the treatment of female breast cancer include:

• Tamoxifen: This medication can be used to treat women with breast cancer who have or have not gone through menopause.
• Raloxifene: Another SERM, raloxifene is FDA-approved for breast cancer risk reduction in women who do not have breast cancer but are at higher risk.
• Aromatase Inhibitors: Anastrozole (Arimidex), exemestane (Aromasin), and letrozole are currently approved aromatase inhibitors used to treat postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Other Medications Used

In addition to the above-mentioned medications, other drugs such as capecitabine (Xeloda), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar), docetaxel (Taxotere), doxorubicin (Adriamycin), epirubicin (Ellence) are also used in the treatment of female breast cancer.

References

• [1] Targeted drug therapy uses medicines that are directed at proteins on breast cancer cells that help them grow, spread, and live longer.
• [2] Tamoxifen can be used to treat women with breast cancer who have or have not gone through menopause.
• [3] Hormone therapy uses drugs to prevent hormones, especially estrogen, from fueling the growth of breast cancer cells.
• [4] Three aromatase inhibitors are currently approved in the United States for breast cancer treatment: anastrozole (Arimidex), exemestane (Aromasin) and letrozole.
• [5] Medications for Breast Cancer · capecitabine (Xeloda) · cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) · docetaxel (Taxotere) · doxorubicin (Adriamycin) · epirubicin (Ellence)
• [6] These medications include selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), of which there are two: tamoxifen and raloxifene.
• [7] Hormone therapy works by either lowering the amount of hormones in the body or by blocking them from getting to breast cancer cells.
• [8] Tamoxifen and raloxifene are the only drugs FDA-approved for breast cancer risk reduction in women who do not have breast cancer but are at higher risk.

Differential Diagnosis of Female Breast Cancer

Female breast cancer can be challenging to diagnose, as it must be differentiated from other diseases that present with similar symptoms. Here are some key points to consider:

• Benign vs Malignant: The first step in differential diagnosis is to determine whether the breast mass is benign or malignant. A benign mass may be solid or cystic, whereas a malignant mass is typically solid [1].
• Differential Diagnosis: Breast cancer must be differentiated from other diseases such as malignancy, cysts, inflammation, and non-inflammatory solid lumps [3].
• Histological Information: For histological information, IDC refers to invasive ductal carcinoma, ILC refers to invasive lobular carcinoma, and DCIS is ductal carcinoma in situ [4].

Common Causes of Benign Breast Masses

Some common causes of benign breast masses include:

• Fibrocystic Disease: This is a non-cancerous condition that can cause lumps or thickening in the breast tissue [7].
• Fibroadenoma: A fibroadenoma is a type of benign tumor that can appear as a lump in the breast [1].
• Fat Necrosis: Fat necrosis is a condition where fat cells in the breast become damaged, leading to pain and lumps [3].

Breast Cancer Subtypes

There are four main female breast cancer subtypes, including:

• HR+/HER2-: This subtype accounts for the largest number of cases [5].
• HR-/HER2-: This subtype is less common than HR+/HER2- but still a significant concern.
• HR+/HER2+: This subtype is characterized by the presence of both hormone receptors and HER2 protein.
• HR-/HER2+: This subtype is also known as "triple-negative" breast cancer, meaning it lacks all three biomarkers [5].

Diagnostic Tools

Several diagnostic tools can help differentiate between benign and malignant breast masses, including:

• DW-MRI: DW-MRI (Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is an accurate diagnostic tool for differentiation between benign and malignant breast lesions [8].
• Physical Examination: A thorough physical examination by a healthcare professional can also provide valuable information about the lump or mass.

References: [1] - Context 2 [3] - Context 3 [4] - Context 4 [5] - Context 5 [7] - Context 7 [8] - Context 8