What is breast cancer?

The human body is made of millions of cells grouped into tissues and organs (muscle, bone, lung, liver, etc). The normal cells interact with each other in a harmonious manner. When they begin to divide in a chaotic way, they become dangerous for the body.  If the body’s defense mechanisms are not able to destroy the abnormal cells, their number continues to grow, forming a tumor; not all tumors are cancerous. There are benign tumors (non-cancerous) and malignant tumors (cancerous). The differentiation between these two tumor types it is establish by microscopic examination of some small samples of tissue, harvested from the affected area (biopsy).



The cells of the benign tumor do not invade surrounding tissue and they do not spread into other organs. In general, they do not constitute a danger for life but they must be treated surgically. The malignant tumors are dangerous because over time, they can invade the neighboring tissues and destroy them gradually. Sometimes, the cells detach from the original tumor (primary) and they spread to other organs thru the blood flow or through the lymphatic system. When these cells reach a new level of the tissue, they may continue to divide and form a new tumor called secondary tumor or metastasis.



The symptoms of breast cancer

In 90% of women, breast cancer is first seen as a node ( some tissue like a tumor which is not normal in breast). Nine of ten breast growths are benign, many of which are cysts. However, there are other signs that need our attention:

-         Changes in size, shape or appearance of the breasts (a breast is increasing compared with the other, crease, corrugations), also the easy movement of one breast compared with the other; it is possible the hypersensitivity development to this level.

-         Enlarging the lymph nodes on the periphery of the breast or armpit, and also the appearance of the new nodules at these levels, which persists after menstruation.

-         The pain associated with the nodules, which persist and is making the living style very uncomfortable.

-         The unilateral pain that persists in the breast in women who passed the menopausal.

-         The abscess or inflammation of the breast (redness and pain) that resist to an initial series of antibiotics.

-         The recurrent cyst (benign tumor as a closed bag, which usually contains liquid)

-         The nipple changes – common at women over 50 years old – the nipple retraction or distortion, lump or thickening, extensive irritation also on the surrounding areas, eczema of the nipple accompanied by intense itching, etc; at women under 50 years old, it is found the suppurative blood (sangvinolent pus formation and elimination).

-         The abundance of sweating in the armpit.

-         The pronounced vascularization in the breast.

-         Anything is palpable or visible only to one breast.

The breast cancer is not painful so we do not need to wait for the pain and only then to go to the doctor. In fact, many women find that their breasts are full of lumps before their period and that some types of the benign breast growths are painful.