While October brings with it the reds, yellows and oranges of autumn, it’s also a time to think pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One in eight women will be diagnosed with the disease, meaning you’ll likely know someone touched by it—whether it’s yourself, a friend or a relative.
types of breast cancer
Ductal carcinoma in situ: This is a noninvasive or pre-invasive form of breast cancer. Carcinoma refers to tumors that form in the epithelial cells of organs and tissue. Tumors that form in the breast are more specifically referred to as adenocarcinoma, meaning they start in the milk ducts or the lobules, glands that make milk. In situ refers to cancer that has not spread from the duct to surrounding breast tissue.
Invasive ductal carcinoma: This term refers to cancer that has spread to surrounding breast tissue. According to the American Cancer Society, around 70% to 80% of breast cancers are invasive ductal carcinoma. Some invasive forms of cancer have different characteristics or develop differently. These are often more rare but can be more serious as well.
Triple negative breast cancer: Accounting for around 15% of all breast cancers, this aggressive form gets its name because the cancer cells don’t have estrogen or progesterone receptors and don’t make the protein HER2, so they test negative for all three of these proteins. Triple negative breast cancer tends to spread faster and has fewer treatment options.
Inflammatory breast cancer: In this aggressive form of invasive breast cancer, cancer cells block lymph vessels in the skin. This causes the breast to look inflamed. It is a rarer type of cancer, accounting for between 1% and 5% of cases.
causes & risk factors
The cause of breast cancer is unknown; however, there are known risk factors. Some of these factors cannot be changed, such as being born female, getting older, race and ethnicity, family history and certain gene mutations. There also are lifestyle factors associated with a greater risk of developing breast cancer that can be modified. These include:
- Drinking alcohol: Alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer, even when consumed in small amounts. The American Cancer Society says it’s best not to drink at all, but those who choose to, should limit themselves to one drink a day, meaning 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine, or one and a half ounces of hard liquor.
- Being overweight: Weight gain is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer, especially in women who have experienced menopause.
- Staying active: Studies have shown that regular moderate to vigorous activity can lower breast cancer risk. The American Cancer Society recommends adults get 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity a week.
- Using birth control: Some studies have shown that birth control methods that use hormones may increase breast cancer risk. For oral contraceptives’, there is slightly higher risk, but it goes back to normal within 10 years of stopping usage.
signs & symptoms
In its early stages, breast cancer may not have any symptoms, but some women do notice changes. These can be signs of other health conditions, so make sure to consult a doctor if you have any concerns.
- New lump in the breast or armpit
- Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
- Irritation or dimpling of skin
- Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area of the breast
- Pain around the nipple or in other areas of the breast
- Discharge other than breast milk, including blood
- Changes in the size or the shape of the breast
breaking down screenings
The most reliable way to find breast cancer early is regular screening. The age you should begin annual mammograms depends on your risk for developing the disease—risk factors include family history, race and lifestyle factors, such as drinking, weight and not having children. Women who are high-risk should begin annual mammograms at 30, so a breast cancer risk assessment should be completed before then.
The American Cancer Society’s recommendations for mammograms for women of average risk are:
- Between 40 and 54 screen with a mammogram every year.
- Women 55 and older can switch to every other year or continue with annual mammograms.
- Women should continue screening as long as they are in good health and expected to live at least 10 more years.
There are three common types of imaging done to detect breast cancer.
- Mammogram: This is a low dose x-ray of the breast that can detect changes years before physical symptoms develop.
- Breast MRI: The process uses radio waves and strong magnets to make detailed images of the inside of the breast. For certain high-risk patients, an annual MRI is recommended alongside a mammogram. While it can detect more cancers than a mammogram, it also is more likely to result in a false positive.
- Breast Ultrasound: These images are formed using sound waves and their echoes. It is not typically used for routine screening, but it can be used to look at lumps that can be felt but not seen on a mammogram. Unlike a mammogram, it can differentiate between solid masses and cysts or other fluid-filled masses, which are unlikely to be cancerous. It also is useful for screening women with dense breast tissue.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Cancer Society