Breast Cancer

Sorry, you need to download flash or use a more modern browser.

Breast Cancer

Chapter: 3 - Breast Cancer

Subchapter: 1 - What is Cancer?

What is Cancer?
Healthy cells are the basic building blocks of all tissue and organs in the body. But when cell DNA (the cell’s wiring) is damaged, mutated cells begin to rapidly reproduce without following the pre-wired plan.

Aggressive cell growth can form a tumor (or mass of tissue) that, like each individual cell, does not function as originally intended. These abnormal cells or groups of cells can progress into the disease known as cancer.

Cancer Origins
Breast cancer usually begins either where the milk is being produced, the lobules, or in the milk ducts.

Lobules
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS) is a pre-cancerous condition that forms and is contained in the lobules. Invasive lobular carcinoma is a type of cancer that develops and breaks through the lobules, with the potential to spread to other areas of the body.

Milk Ducts
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) is a type of cancer that forms in the milk ducts and is considered non–invasive because it has not spread to any surrounding tissue. Once the cancer has spread beyond the milk ducts, it is known as ductal carcinoma.

Less frequently, breast cancer can originate in the stromal tissue– the fatty and fibrous connective tissue of the breast.

Prognosis
Treating breast cancer as soon as it’s discovered is very important. If left untreated, the cancer cells may invade healthy breast tissue or lymph nodes. Once in the lymph system, cancer can spread more easily to other parts of the body.

Related Questions

  • Missing

    After completing masectomy radiation and chemotherapy, should there be CT PET scan done?

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    over 1 year ago Answer •

  • How young can you get breast cancer?

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    about 2 years ago 8 answers •
    • View all 8 answers
    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      I got breast cancer at the age of 40. Early detection is very important.

      Comment
    • anonymous
      Survivor since 2007

      Unfortunately, people can get breast cancer as early as their teens. This may be partially due to the younger ages at which kids reach puberty, and partially due to the steady increase of toxins in our food, personal products, and the environment.

      Comment

  • Is feeling tingling and strangely sporadicly numb, tinged with some pain normal after lumpectomy with SNB? I'm 4 days out of surgery and fingers are tingling as I'm writing this....anything I can do for it? Also, is swelling on the effected side normal?

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    10 months ago 2 answers •
    • Missing
      anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      Morning Carla, Had both, it was annoying but it's due to severed nerves. Still have both but to a lesser degree after 4 months. You will have sharp , piercing pain that will catch you off gaurd but it will eventually subside-also due to cut and damaged nerves. I call them GOTCHA pain. Those were...

      more

      Morning Carla, Had both, it was annoying but it's due to severed nerves. Still have both but to a lesser degree after 4 months. You will have sharp , piercing pain that will catch you off gaurd but it will eventually subside-also due to cut and damaged nerves. I call them GOTCHA pain. Those were really annoying during radiation.Hope you"re feeling better this morning and some of the anxiety is turning loose. I can"t speak to the swelling. Call your doctor and describe it. If you think it is increasing don't wait. Peace of mind is better than money. Do try to walk around to get the lymph sytem to pumping. It is bruised and traumatized and needs a kick start. Hang in there. Everyday away from surgery is a victory. Jo :-D

      5 comments
    • anonymous
      Survivor since 2012

      Yes I still have those symptoms I been three months out of surgery. It can catch you off guard . But I sure in time everything will catch up with the other body parts.

      Comment

Educational Video

Personal Story

Related Topics

Looking for another topic? Use the search box in the top right.

Footer_1

“ An Early Detection Plan (EDP) significantly increases the chances of surviving breast cancer. ”

spread the word