Breast cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells in the breast grow uncontrollably and form a tumor. It is one of the most common cancers worldwide and mainly affects women, though men can also develop breast cancer.
Causes and Risk Factors
Breast cancer does not have a single cause, but several factors increase the risk:
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Family history of breast cancer
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Genetic mutations (such as BRCA1 and BRCA2)
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Increasing age
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Hormonal factors
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Obesity and lack of physical activity
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Alcohol consumption
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Exposure to radiation
Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms include:
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A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
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Change in breast size or shape
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Nipple discharge (especially blood)
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Skin changes such as redness, dimpling, or puckering
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Inverted or painful nipple
Types of Breast Cancer
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Ductal carcinoma – starts in the milk ducts
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Lobular carcinoma – starts in the milk-producing glands
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Inflammatory breast cancer – aggressive and rare
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Triple-negative breast cancer – difficult to treat due to lack of hormone receptors
Diagnosis
Breast cancer can be detected through:
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Breast self-examination
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Clinical breast examination
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Mammography
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Ultrasound or MRI
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Biopsy (confirmatory test)
