What is Breast Cancer?

The cancer of the breast starts with the cells located in the breasts. The tissues of breasts cover larger area than the breasts. These tissues can enlarge from the armpit, to collar bone to the breast bone. The muscles of the chest and the upper arm are located behind the breast tissue.

The main function of breast is secret milk. Breast is composed of milk glands or mammary glands; it contains numerous milk ducts and other fatty tissues. The gland were milk is produced are clustered into lobules. These ducts function in carrying the milk to the nipple. The fatty tissue function is to protect the glands and the milk ducts.

With aging the tissue of the breasts changes. It is observed that in adolescent age the milk ducts are in abundance while with aging the fatty tissues are more found in older women.

The cancer cells develop from the cells that are lined in the breast, ducts and the lobules. The non-invasive kind of cancer remains confined to the lobule and the duct. It is also known as “in-situ”. They are in fact a signs of pre-cancer cell formation, as they have not spread to other body parts. In invasive cancer, the cells move outside the duct, lobule that surrounds the breast tissue.

With aging the chances of cancer increases. But it has been observed that the cancer is more antagonistic among younger women. The cancer occurs disproportionately. Among young women it is known as inflammatory breast cancer. The initial stages are 3b or stage 4 as there is no lump formation in this type of cancer. It emerges in form of breast infection and cannot be detected in mammography or ultrasound. With family history of breast cancer the chances of developing increases. Even in some racial groups the chances of this cancer is found to be more. Women of European and African descent have more chances than of Asian origin.

The two genes are responsible for breast cancer, Namely, BRCA1 and BRCA2. Families with these genes have more chances of breast cancer.