As the name suggests, it is a cancer that affects the breasts or mammary glands. In technical terms it is a carcinoma of the breast which is either ducal or lobar. It is a breast malignancy which is more prominent in females than males and is the second most frequent cause of cancer death. This is a Guide about Breast Cancer PDF Source - http://www.sastasundar.com/

1. Trivia on
Breast Cancer

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Table of Contents
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast Cancer Facts
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Causes / Etiology of Breast Cancer
Signs & Symptoms
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High – Risk Group
Staging / Classification
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Diagnosis
Prevention
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Treatment
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3. Trivia on Breast Cancer www.sastasundar.com
3 What is Breast Cancer?
As the name suggests, it is a cancer that affects the
breasts or mammary glands. In technical terms it
is a carcinoma of the breast which is either ductal
or lobular. It is a breast malignancy which is more
prominent in females than males and is the second
most frequent cause of cancer death.
The etiology is complex as there are different risk
factors involved. Risk of breast cancer is higher in
women above the age of 50 with an early detection
and change in lifestyle, it can be controlled.
Breast Cancer
Cancerous Tumor
Benign Lump

4. Trivia on Breast Cancer www.sastasundar.com
4 Breast Cancer Facts
Breast cancer is 100 times more frequent in women in comparison to men.
Prognosis is the same in both.
Most common cancer in women - the incidence rate among females is twice as much as that of
colorectal cancer and cervical cancer and approximately three times that of lung cancer.
Globally, the incidence of breast cancer is the highest among American women.
About 16% of women between the age of 40-60 years have breast-related problems. Of these
40% complain of breast lumps.
In women over 40 years, these breast lumps may carry a risk of breast cancer.
However, the majority of these breast- related complaints may be due to benign breast disease.
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5. Trivia on Breast Cancer www.sastasundar.com
5 Causes / Etiology of Breast Cancer
Risk Factors for breast cancer
Relative Risk
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
2 Effected Relatives
Obesity
Young Menarche
HRT > 5 years
1st child conceived at 30 yrs age
1 year post HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)
5 years post HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)
Alcohol

6. Trivia on Breast Cancer www.sastasundar.com
6 Causes / Etiology of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer, like other forms of cancer, is considered to be the final outcome of a legion of environmental and
hereditary factors. However, the exact cause is not known. It is suspected that more than one factor is involved.
The risk of breast cancer also increases, as a woman gets older.
Personal and family history of breast cancer
Late parity
Early age menstruation & late menopause
Breast Density & Obesity
Exposure to radiation
Alcohol & Tobacco usage
Oral contraceptive & oestrogen pills
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
History of benign breast disease
Chemicals & Gene mutations
Several other environmental and lifestyle factors
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Breast Cancer »
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Familial Breast
Cancer ~ 15-20%
Hereditary Breast
Cancer ~ 5-10%
Sporadic Breast
Cancer ~ 70%

7. Trivia on Breast Cancer www.sastasundar.com
7 Signs & Symptoms
A lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast
or underarm area.
Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast.
Change in the size or shape of the breast.
Dimpling or puckering of the skin.
An itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple.
Pulling in of the nipple or other parts of the breast.
Nipple discharge that starts suddenly.
New pain in one spot that won’t go away.
Things to Look Out For
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Lump - may not be seen,
but might be felt
Change in skin
color or texture
Skin dimpling
Clear or bloody fluide
leaks out of the nipple
Change in how nipple looks,
like pulling in of the nipple

8. Trivia on Breast Cancer www.sastasundar.com
8 High risk group
Breast cancer patients are divided into several groups based on their conditions. The following are
the several risks of this ailment:
A. Highest Risk (RR>4)
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B. Intermediate Risk (RR 2.1>4.0)
C. Increased Risk (RR 1.1>2.0)
Elderly menopausal female patients
Two first degree relatives with breast cancer at
an early age
History of cancer in one of the breasts
Nodular densities seen in a mammogram
that occupy 75% of breast volume
One first degree relative with breast cancer
Atypical hyperplasia on breast biopsy
High dose radiation to chest
Urban resident
First pregnancy after the age of 30
Menarche at age < 12 years / Menopause
at age > 53 years
Obesity
Nulliparous
Use of hormonal contraceptives (HRT)
Use of alcohol
History of primary endometrial, ovarian and
colon cancer
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9. Trivia on Breast Cancer www.sastasundar.com
9 Staging / classification
In today’s date the TNM (Tumor, Nodes, Metastases) Classification is recognized and accepted worldwide
which takes into consideration the tumour itself, the involvement of the lymph nodes and the metastasis
to other body parts. The prognosis and treatment which suits best to the patient is closely connected to
the stage of the tumour.
STAGE - 0
Cancerous cells are in their original location within the
breast tissue.
STAGE - I
Tumour less than 2cm in diameter with no
enlargement beyond the breast.

10. Trivia on Breast Cancer www.sastasundar.com
10 Staging / classification
STAGE - II
Tumour within 2-5cm in size without spreading to the
lymph nodes of axilla, or else tumour less than 2cm
spread beyond to the axillary lymph nodes.
STAGE - III
Tumour smaller than 5cm disseminated to axillary
lymph nodes which are attached to each other or to
other structures.
STAGE - IV
Tumour of any size which spreads to other organs
beyond the region of the breast and chest wall such
as liver, lungs or bone.

11. Trivia on Breast Cancer www.sastasundar.com
11 diagnosis
The identification of this disease can be done by examining the symptoms in the following ways -
Clinical Breast Examination - A self breast examination can be done or else a thorough clinical exam which can
reveal any lump if formed.
Mammograms - A low radiation X-Ray therapy used to detect breast cancer prior to the appearance of symptoms.
Ultrasonography - Reveals if the lump is fluid filled cyst(not cancer) or a solid mass(might or might not be cancer).
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - Defines the size & extent of cancer within the breast tissue.
Digital Mammography - Similar to standard mammography but advantageous of digital storage of images
& enhancement by brightness & contrast modification.
Biopsy - Done to collect a tissue sample to be examined under the microscope.
Fine Needle Aspiration - Fluid and/or cells removed from a breast lump using a thin needle.
Needle Biopsy - Tissue removal using a needle from a suspicious area on a mammogram which can’t be felt.
Stereotactic Needle Biopsy - uses a mammogram directed technique to map the exact location of the breast lump.
Surgical Biopsy - Cutting out a sample or all of a lump of a suspicious area.
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12. Trivia on Breast Cancer www.sastasundar.com
12 prevention
May how appalling this disease be, there are certain preventive measures proposed to keep breast
cancer at bay.
breast examination
Self breast examination helps to detect breast cancer early. It leads you to
see a doctor.
Health Check-up
An annual Health Check up every year by a medical professional for
women above 40 years and every three years for women between 20-39
years to enable early detection.
Avoid Alcohol
Avoid alcohol. Drink in moderation. If it is not possible then one should quit
consuming alcohol.

13. Trivia on Breast Cancer www.sastasundar.com
13 prevention
Regular exercise
Exercise everyday for a minimum of 30 minutes.
say no to obesity
Control weight gain as obesity is a high risk factor for breast cancer.
risk factor
Reduce the intake of HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (HRT) drugs as they
increase the risk of breast cancer.
high risk group
For those in the high risk group, preventive medications (oestrogen blocking)
& preventive mastectomy are sensible options.

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14 treatment
There are 3 trails that can be followed after the triple diagnosis -
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Women in whom the triple diagnosis suggests benign disease are closely monitored (physical
examination every 3 to 6 months for at least a year) to ensure that the breast mass is stable.
Women in whom the diagnosis suggest malignancy are referred for treatment.
Women in whom any one of the triple tests suggests malignancy need to undergo excisional biopsy.
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The choice of treatment depends on factors like the extent to which the cancer has spread, characteristics of the
cancer & physical condition of the patient.
The two common options are surgery and therapy.
The main mode of treatment for breast cancer, especially so when the tumour is localized is surgery. It must be
noted that even through breast cancer is of the breast, the cancer can spread to other body parts which is why
breast cancer’s treatment almost always involves surgery.

15. Trivia on Breast Cancer www.sastasundar.com
15 treatment
The different types of surgery are –
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Segmental Mastectomy
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Lumpectomy
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Breast Conserving Surgery
Axilliary Lymph Node Dissection
Radical Mastectomy
Total Mastectomy
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A surgery is often followed up by other treatments to be mentioned below which depends on the risk
status of the patient’s cancer – high or low risk. Factors like, the patient’s age, type and size of cancer,
metastasis of the disease decides the risk status of the patient.

16. Trivia on Breast Cancer www.sastasundar.com
16 treatment
Other treatment possibilities include Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, Hormone Therapy and
Immune Therapy.
Other treatment possibilities : The three main kinds of systematic
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Chemotherapy
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Interstitial Laser Therapy
» Radiotherapy
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treatments for the whole body are –
Hormonal Therapy
Immune Therapy
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• External Radiation Biological Therapy
• Implant Radiation

17. Survivor
You are an inspiration to those who know you…
Walking in faith…
Seeking God’s strength.
For I know the plans I have for you,
says the Lorld
-- Jeremiah 29:11
By Team