8 Things We Want Breast Cancer Survivors to Know Today

ByShweta Singh

Every year, around 12,000 women below 40 years of age are being diagnosed with breast cancer. Several types of research have highlighted breast cancer as the second most common reason for the increased counts of deaths amongst females across the nation. Here is a quick guide to enlighten the youths about breast cancer and the available treatment options – 

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is defined as a chronic medical condition wherein your breast tissues undergo uncontrolled cellular growth. Typically, this abnormal cellular growth is usually found in ducts or lobules in human breasts. While lobules are glands secreting milk, ducts act as bridges to pass on the milk from lobules to nipples. Cancer is also found both in the fibrous connective tissues and fatty tissues of your breasts. 

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

Top breast cancer doctors highlight the following alarming signs for the development of breast cancer – 

  • Tissue thickening or breast lump formation 

  • Red or pitted skin throughout your breast 

  • A form of discharge from the nipple other than the breast milk 

  • Inverted nipple 

  • A formation of lump or swelling under your armpits 

  • Bloody discharge arising out of nipples 

  • Peels or flakes of skin around nipple or breast 

Types of breast cancer – 

There are several categories of breast cancers. The commonest ones are as follows – 

In situ lobular carcinoma – 

In situ lobular carcinoma or LCIS is a cancerous form growing around the milk-producing glands of human breasts. 

In situ ductal carcinoma – 

This is a non-invasive cancerous growth-restricted around the ducts of human breasts. 

Invasive lobular carcinoma – 

This firstly develops within your breast lobules thereby invading the adjacent tissues. 

Invasive ductal carcinoma – 

This type of cancerous tissue starts forming within the milk ducts of human breasts thereby invading the adjacent breast tissues. 

Phyllodes tumor – 

This is the rarest form of cancer found precisely in the connective tissues of your breast muscles. 

Paget disease of the nipple – 

This medical condition usually starts at the ducts of the nipple, and once it advances, it starts spreading around the nipple’s areola. 

Stages of breast cancer – 

Breast cancer usually occurs in the following five stages – 

Stage 0 – 

Stage 0 is defined as the DCIS stage wherein your cancerous cells remain confined to the ducts within the breasts. 

Stage 1 – 

Stage 1 of breast cancer is further divided into two different stages – 

Stage 1A – Here, the primary tumor measures around 2 centimeters wherein the lymph nodes remain unaffected. 

Stage 1B – Here, the cancerous growth is observed around the lymph nodes. Either the tumor is completely absent or may be less than 2 centimeters. 

Stage 2 – 

Stage 2 of breast cancer is further divided into two different stages – 

Stage 2A – 

The tumor in Stage 2A is shorter than 2 centimeters and spreads to 1-3 surrounding lymph nodes. 

Stage 2B – 

The tumor dimensions range between 2 to 5 centimeters and spread to 1-3 axillary lymph nodes. 

Stage 3 – 

Stage 3 of breast cancer is divided into three different stages – 

Stage 3A – 

Cancerous cells spread around 4 to 9 axillary lymph nodes and can vary in size. 

Stage 3B – 

In stage 3B, the tumour may invade the chest wall up to 9 lymph nodes. 

Stage 3C – 

Cancerous growth is found around 10 or more axillary lymph nodes either found close to internal mammary nodes or collarbone. 

Stage 4 – 

This stage is characterized by tumors that may differ in size whose cancer cells have spread across both nearby and distant lymph nodes and organs. 

Treatment Options – 

The following are the types of breast cancer surgery in India – 

Mastectomy – 

Here, your surgeon removes an entire piece of your breast. 

Lumpectomy – 

Here, only the infected tissue area along with certain surrounding tissues are removed. The rest of the breast remains intact. 

Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy – 

This is the most preferred option for most women who wish to reduce their chances of developing breast cancer again. Here, your healthy breasts are removed along with the cancerous tissues so as to minimize the chances of re-occurrence. 

While there are solutions readily available, it is just how much we stay aware of the ongoing health issues in our surroundings. Stay tuned to get more insights on healthy living!