Breast Cancer: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body.

Normally,cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old, they die, and new cells take their place.

Sometimes, this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Common symptoms of breast cancer include:

• A change in how the breast or nipple feels
• A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
• Nipple tenderness
• A change in how the breast or nipple looks

Early breast cancer usually does not cause pain. Still, a woman should see her health care provider about breast pain or any other symptom that does not go away.

Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

If you have a symptom or screening test result that suggests cancer, your doctor must find out whether it is due to cancer or to some other cause.

Your doctor may ask about your personal and family medical history. You may have a physical exam. Your doctor also may order a mammogram or other imaging procedure.

Treatment for Breast Cancer

Women with breast cancer have many treatment options. These include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological therapy. Many women receive more than one type of treatment.

Reference for Breast Cancer Article 

• National Institutes of Health