According to the World Cancer Research Fund 2018 statics, lung and breast cancer were the most common types of cancers. Each of them contributed 12.3% of the cancers worldwide. In 2020, breast cancers exceeded lung cancer and were diagnosed as the most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 11.7% of World cancers. While in 2021, 1.9 million new cases are awaiting diagnoses in the U.S, according to estimates. Therefore, concerns are rising to create awareness among the masses globally. For creating awareness, it is vital to expand the details of the disease and explain it in simple terms to people for their better understanding.
What is Breast Cancer?
It is a type of cancer that arises in the breast cells. In breasts, the cells begin to grow abnormally and uncontrolled cell divisions occur. This type of uncontrolled cell division leads to the formation of lumps or tumors in breasts.
The three main parts of the breast are lobules, ducts, and connective tissues. Lobules are the milk-producing glands, while ducts are the milk-carrying tubes to the nipples. Connective or fibrous tissues bind and connect the breast cells to keep them together. Cancer can invade any part of the breast depending upon the type of cancer.85% of breast cancers arise in ducts, while 15% in the lobules of glandular cells or tissues of the breast.
Types of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer can either be invasive or noninvasive. Invasive cancer spread and infect the surrounding normal tissues or lymph nodes. While the noninvasive cancers don’t spread from their area of origin and don’t invade other body parts. Noninvasive cancers are, therefore, called carcinoma in situ. Some of the most common types of breast cancers are;
- Ductal carcinoma in Situ
- Invasive ductal carcinoma
- Lobular carcinoma in situ
- Invasive lobular carcinoma
- Inflammatory breast cancers
- Metastatic breasts cancer
Ductal carcinoma in Situ
In ductal carcinoma in situ, abnormal cells grow along the lining of milk ducts. As it is noninvasive cancer, it does not spread outside of the breast. It is the early stage of cancer. It is treatable if diagnosed earlier.
Invasive ductal carcinoma
In Invasive ductal carcinoma, cancerous cells begin their growth in milk ducts and then spread to the other parts of the breasts. This type of cancer invades the other parts body besides the breasts. It is a more common type of cancer in men than women. It is responsible for nearly 80% of breast cancers.
Lobular carcinoma in situ
In Lobular carcinoma in situ, cancerous cells grow in the lobules of the breast. It is a noninvasive type and is treatable if diagnosed early.
Invasive lobular carcinoma
Invasive lobular carcinoma arises in the lobules and invades the surrounding tissue. It can spread to other body parts as well. It is the second most common type of breast cancer. It is responsible for 10% of invasive breast cancers.
Inflammatory breast cancers
Inflammatory cancer of the breasts is the most critical type of cancer. In inflammatory breast cancer, the cancerous cells grow and spread rapidly. It infiltrates the lymph vessels and skin of breasts.
Metastatic breasts cancer
It is stage 4 or the last stage of cancer. Cancer has spread to the body parts such as lungs, bones, liver or brain, in this stage. Symptoms vary depending on areas where cancer has spread.
Related: 8 Risk Factors For Breasts Cancer
