Breast Cancer Symptoms and Causes

Breast cancer symptoms usually manifest similarly in men and women. The common signs and symptoms include:

New lump or mass in the breast: Hard, irregular in shape, and painless lump, though some lumps can be soft, round, and tender.
Swelling with/without distinct lump: Swelling may occur in part or all of the breast.
Skin irritation or dimpling: Often referred to as peau d’orange or orange-peel texture. The skin may appear red and dimpled, resembling the surface of an orange.
Breast or nipple pain: Persistent pain in the breast or nipple, which is not related to the menstrual cycle.
Nipple retraction: The nipple may turn inward.
Nipple discharge: Clear, red, or bloody discharge may occur from the nipple, other than breast milk.
Changes in breast texture: Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin may occur.
Swelling in lymph nodes: The lymph nodes present under the arm or around the collarbone may start to swell.

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What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a type of cancer(a disease where the body's cells multiply abnormally) that originates from breast cells, especially ducts and lobules. It forms when the breast cells mutate and start to grow uncontrollably, resulting in a tumor. These cells can start invading surrounding healthy tissues and metastasize (spread) to other body parts. One important thing to keep in mind is that even though breast cancer commonly occurs in women, it can also develop in men.

In normal conditions, the breast cells grow in an orderly and controlled manner and the new cells form to replace the old and damaged cells only. However, due to a variety of factors, the cell growth can get out of control and form a mass, called a tumor. When this tumor is malignant(cancerous), it poses a great risk to the individual's life and can also lead to death, if not treated on time.

What Causes Breast Cancer and What are its Risk Factors?

A multitude of factors contribute to the development of a complex disease like breast cancer. While it is usually difficult to determine the exact cause, generally a combination of genetic, hormonal, and lifestyle factors are primarily evaluated and considered to be the developmental factors for breast cancer. Let’s learn more about these causes and risk factors.

Genetic Factors

The inherited gene mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2, often referred to as breast cancer genes, present in women increase their chances of developing breast cancer by 45-65%.
Other mutations, such as TP53, PTEN, and PALB2 are also associated with the increased risk of breast cancer, though they are less common.
Family History: If a woman’s direct family member gets diagnosed with breast cancer, i.e., mother, sister, daughter, etc., it almost doubles her risk of developing cancer in her breasts.

Hormonal Factors

A woman who experiences hormonal imbalance for a long time, gets early menstruation (before age 12), or has late menopause (after age 55), the chances of cancer cell growth increase significantly.
Individuals who get hormone replacement therapy are also more prone to developing breast cancer.

Reproductive History

Studies have found a direct correlation between the reproductive functioning of a woman, i.e., childbirth and breastfeeding, which also has a long-term impact on hormonal health.
A woman who has children at a later age or doesn’t have children often has a high risk of developing breast cancer.
In case women don’t breastfeed throughout their life, it can also increase the risk in later stages of life.

Lifestyle Factors

Diet and Exercise: Poor diet and lack of physical activities often lead to obesity, especially after menopause, which is linked to higher estrogen levels and contributes to the risk of breast cancer.
Alcohol Intake: The risk of developing breast cancer increases with the increase in the amount of alcohol consumed by the individual.
Smoking: Women who start smoking at a young age are considered to be prone to developing breast cancer, especially in premenopausal women.

Environmental Factors

Radiation Exposure: A direct or indirect exposure to radiation during childhood or young adulthood, increases the risk of breast cancer. This is common among women who’ve had radiation therapy earlier in life to treat specific medical conditions.
Chemical Exposure: Certain chemicals that are found in pesticides and industrial pollutants are known to increase the risk of breast cancer as they can disrupt the endocrine function and promote cancer development.

Additional Risk Factors

Women who’ve had breast cancer in one breast have a significant risk of developing cancer in the other as well.
There are certain benign breast conditions, such as atypical hyperplasia, which are usually non-cancerous, but related to the increased risk of breast cancer.
Age is also a considerable factor in breast cancer risk. Older women, usually in their 50s, are more likely to get breast cancer compared to young women in their 20s and 30s.
Women with dense breast tissues have a risk of developing breast cancer and the dense breasts can also make it difficult to detect abnormal growth through mammograms.

When to see a doctor?

When a breast tumor starts to form, it exhibits very subtle warning signs, which indicates that you should see the doctor right away.

A lump in the breast and/or armpit that can be painless/tender, hard/soft, irregular/defined edges, and fixed or mobile.
Unexplained changes in the breast shape and size. For instance, if one breast becomes noticeably larger or smaller, and visible distortion in the shape is also present.
Unusual pain or tenderness in the nipple and bloody or clear discharge.
Persistent pain in the breast that doesn’t go away after menstruation.
Darkening or bruising in the breast without any trauma.

The same symptoms can be present in both men and women. For men, it is comparatively easier to notice the subtle changes in the chest region, even in the early stages. However, in women, these changes can be difficult to notice in the earlier stages, which often allows cancer to advance to stages II and III, and become life-threatening.

About Oncare Cancer

At Oncare Cancer, we are deeply committed to providing comprehensive care and support to people affected by cancer. We understand that a cancer diagnosis is overwhelming for the patient and his/her loved ones. That’s why, our approach focuses on tending to the emotional and psychological well-being of the patients along with providing advanced medical treatments. We offer personalized care that meets the unique needs of each patient and guide them at every step to navigate through the complexities of the treatment options.

The key aspects of Oncare Cancer’s services include the following:

A multidisciplinary team of specialists, including oncologists, surgeons, nurses, and support staff, to provide the best possible medical care to all patients.
24x7 assistance from our care coordinators to keep the patients informed and educated about the treatment options.
Our surgery plans are customized and affordable for the patients as we offer competitive pricing.
We accept insurance plans and have several discount options that further reduce the expense of overall cancer treatment.
Comprehensive care from diagnosis tests, neoadjuvant therapies, surgeries, systemic therapies, to post-operative care.

Get in touch with Oncare Cancer and get cutting-edge treatment for breast cancer and other types of cancer, and have a trustworthy and experienced guide and companion in your treatment journey.

Get Expert Breast Cancer Treatment in Delhi

If you or a loved one seeking expert breast cancer treatment in Delhi, Oncare Cancer is here to provide holistic and personalized care. Our dedicated team of specialists in Delhi ensures that all patients who come to us receive the best-quality treatment, tailored to their needs.

With us, you can rest assured knowing that your comfort and well-being are our top priority. We offer supportive care to our patients and help them to navigate their treatment journey. Contact us today and don’t wait to get the breast cancer care you deserve.