Breast cancer

A woman's breast is made up of milk glands and milk ducts, surrounded by fatty tissue and connective supports. Uncontrolled growth of cells in any of these breast tissues can cause breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. It tends to occur at an earlier age than do other cancers or heart attacks and strokes.

The body's cells reproduce themselves throughout your lifetime, as tissues wear out and their cells are replaced in a controlled manner. Breast cancer - like all cancers - occurs when that control is lost, and cells begin to divide at an unusually high rate. No single trigger or cause has been identified for breast cancer.

Nine out of ten women are the first to notice a lump or mass in their breast. It usually isn't painful, but can cause an unusual sensation in the area where the lump is. When a tumour grows in the milk ducts, bleeding can occur from the nipple. The size or shape of the breast may change. As well, the nipple might draw in, or some of the skin will pull in causing what looks like a dimple to appear.

A suspicious lump in your breast should be checked by your doctor. Aside from an extensive physical examination, the doctor will also want to do a mammogram - a low-level X-ray that can show abnormal areas in your breast. An ultrasound can sometimes be performed to see if the lump is a fluid-filled cyst or a solid growth.

Early detection of breast cancer minimizes the likelihood that the cancer has spread, and increases the chances of making a complete recovery. Treatment depends on individual circumstances, such as the rate of growth, how it responds to treatment, and whether or not it has spread. When the tumour is confined to the breast, the best choice is surgery, followed by systemic therapy and possibly also radiation.

Nothing strikes fear in a woman's heart as much as finding a lump in her breast. And finding cancer early increases the chances of survival. So screening for breast cancer is a no-brainer. Or is it?

Breast lumps could be caused by a number of factors, and most are not linked to breast cancer. Learn more.

Feeling breast pain? It can cause worry in any woman. But before you panic, learn more about breast pain can mean.

We look at 7 rumours about breast cancer that abound - especially via forwarded emails.

You've made it! You're a breast cancer survivor! Find out what's next.

If part of your breast cancer treatment included the removal of lymph nodes under the arm, you are at risk of developing lymphedema, which can result in swelling of the arm. Learn more about lymphedema and what you can do to avoid it.

Early detection of breast cancer is important for getting the best results. So how do you detect it as early as possible?

Breast cancer stage describes the size of the tumour and how far the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Treatment options for breast cancer depend on many factors, including the size of the tumour, the rate of growth, and whether or not the cancer has spread. Learn more about the treatment of breast cancer.

There are many different types of breast cancer. "Breast cancer" is used to describe any tumour associated with the breast tissue.