Breast cancer

Breast cancer ranks as the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, accounting for 12.5% of all new cancer cases in 2020. While it predominantly affects women over the age of 50 – who represent 80% of diagnoses – it can also occur in younger women, where it often presents more aggressively.

The most prevalent form, invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), begins in the milk ducts and spreads into surrounding breast tissue. Lobular carcinoma, the second most common type, arises in the milk-producing lobules, and also spreads locally. By contrast, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a non-invasive form confined to the ducts, without extension into surrounding tissue.

How does breast cancer typically present?

Patients often notice a palpable breast lump, nipple inversion, skin changes (e.g., dimpling, erythema), or nipple discharge.

How is breast cancer diagnosed?

Clinicians typically perform a clinical examination, followed by imaging (mammography, ultrasound, or MRI), and a core needle biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

How are staging and treatment determined?

Staging depends on tumor size, nodal status, and distant metastases, assessed through selective imaging (e.g., CT, PET, bone scan).

Treatment plans reflect the tumor biology and stage, and often combine surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy), radiotherapy, and systemic therapies, such as chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, HER2-targeted agents, or immunotherapy.

Identifying hormone or protein receptors on tumor cells helps guide treatment by indicating whether the cancer is driven by estrogen, progesterone, or other targets (e.g., HER2).

What factors influence risk and prevention?

Risk of breast cancer increases with age, but can also affect younger women and, though rarely, men. Other risk factors include female sex, BRCA gene mutations, dense breast tissue, prior chest radiation, hormone therapy use, alcohol consumption, and obesity.

Prevention strategies focus on lifestyle modification, risk-reducing medications, and prophylactic surgery. 

Developed by EPG Health for Medthority, independently of any sponsor.