Introduction

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Introduction

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor in the breast. Although the disease occurs mostly in women, rare cases of breast cancer in men are also known. As breast cancer is rare in men, the information given below will refer to women.

Each month, a woman's breasts go through temporary changes associated with menstruation, and a lump may form. While 90 per cent of these are not cancerous, any lump should be examined immediately. The two main categories of breast cancer are lobular and ductal carcinomas. Each has many subtypes.

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Breast cancer usually begins with the formation of a small, localized tumor. The potential for a malignant tumor to metastasize, or spread, is common to all cancer. Different types of breast cancer grow and spread at different rates; some take years to spread beyond the breast, while others move quickly.

Breast cancer in men is very rare. No statistics are known for India, in the US where breast cancer is the major cause of death in women, men account for less than half per cent breast cancer cases.

Fortunately, breast cancer is treatable if detected early. Localized tumors can usually be treated successfully before the cancer spreads; 9 cases out of 10 have a 5-year survival rate.

Once the cancer begins to spread, getting rid of it completely is more difficult, although treatment can often control the disease for years. Improved screening procedures and treatment options mean that at least 7 out of 10 women with breast cancer will survive more than 5 years after initial diagnosis

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