Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a cancer that develops from breast cells. Breast cancer usually originates in the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply them with milk.

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Symptoms of breast cancer depend on the sub-type and stage of the cancer and include:

- A hard lump on the breast or armpit

- The feeling of the tissue in the breast thickening

- Changes in the shape or size of the breast

- Change in nipple appearance

- An inverted nipple (pointing inward) or discharge/blood from it

- Dimpling, redness, or other changes in the skin

- Bone pain

- Nausea

- Weight loss

- Jaundice

For more information, check out the Canadian Cancer Society,

Risk factors for breast cancer include:

- A personal or family history of breast cancer

- BRCA, CHEK2, or PALB2 gene mutations

- Having dense breasts

- Genetic conditions (such as Li-Fraumeni or Cowden syndrome)

- Reproductive history (early menstruation, late menopause, late or no pregnancy)

- Exposure to ionizing radiation

- Alcohol, obesity, physical inactivity

For more information, check out the Canadian Cancer Society,

Diagnosis options for breast cancer include:

- Health history and physical exam

- A diagnostic mammography

- Ultrasound

- Biopsy

- Lymph node biopsy

- Hormone receptor status testing

- HER2 status testing

- CBC

- Blood chemistry tests

- Tumour marker tests

- X-rays, Bone scan, MRI

- Scintimammography

- Ductography

Treatment options vary widely depending on many factors (the stage, where the cancer has spread, your menopause status, etc.). Options include:

- Chemotherapy

- Hormone therapy

- Targeted therapy

- Surgery (such as removing breast tissue or lymph nodes)

- Radiation therapy

For more information on the specific procedures and used drugs, check out the Canadian Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, or the American Cancer Society.