What is Breast Cancer?
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the United Kingdom. Every year 48,000 new cases are diagnosed there. Of these, 80% are over 50 but younger women, and in rare cases, men, can also get breast cancer. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women aged 34 to 54.
The normal breast
The breasts of a woman are made up of fat, supportive (connective) tissue and tissues with glands called lobes. These lobes are milk glands where breast milk is produced. These are connected to the nipple by a network of milk ducts.
Both breasts may be slightly different from each other. They change throughout a woman’s life and often feel different at different times in the month because of hormonal changes. Just before periods they may feel lumpy and they may feel softer, smaller and more lax as the woman ages.
Under the skin, an area of breast tissue extends into the สมัคร ufabet armpit (axilla). This is called the tail of the breast. The armpits also contain a collection of lymph nodes which are part of the lymphatic system. There are also lymph nodes just beside the breastbone and behind the collarbones. These drain the breast tissues and are affected in breast diseases and inflammatory conditions. The lymph nodes are connected by a network of tiny lymphatic tubes. Lymph flows through the lymphatic system.
What is cancer?
The body is made up of billions of tiny cells. Normally, cells grow and multiply in a tightly regulated fashion. New cells are only made when and where they are needed. When cancer occurs the cells’ growth cycle goes haywire making them multiply uncontrollably. Cells become cancer cells because of damage to DNA. This leads to formation of a lump that may be benign or non-cancerous or aggressive it its growth – termed malignant or cancerous.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is capable of invading surrounding tissues or spreading or metastasizing to distant areas of the body. The disease occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get it, too.
Symptoms of breast cancer
Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms but usually shows as a lump or thickening in the breast tissue. Other common symptoms may include deformity, ulcers and discharge from the nipple.
