Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that forms in the breast tissue, specifically in the mammary glands. These glands produce breast milk and deliver it to the nipple. When the cells in these glands start to grow abnormally for some reason, it can lead to breast cancer.
👩⚕️ Main Types of Breast Cancer
There are several types of breast cancer, but they are mainly classified into:
| Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Non-invasive breast cancer | Cancer remains within the milk ducts and has not spread to surrounding tissue |
| Invasive breast cancer | Cancer has spread beyond the ducts or lobules and may metastasize to lymph nodes or other organs |
🎯 Risk Factors (Who is More Likely to Develop It?)
The risk of developing breast cancer is associated with factors such as:
- Women over 40 (especially common among women in their 50s in Japan)
- Family history of breast cancer
- Early menstruation or late menopause
- No childbirth or first childbirth after age 30
- Long-term hormone therapy
- Lifestyle habits such as alcohol consumption, obesity, and lack of exercise
🚨 Main Symptoms
Early-stage breast cancer often shows no symptoms. However, you should be alert to the following changes:
- Lump in the breast
- Nipple discharge (possibly bloody)
- Skin dimpling, redness, or sores on the breast
- Lump under the armpit (swollen lymph nodes)
🧪 Tests and Diagnosis
Common breast cancer screening and diagnostic methods include:
- Mammography (breast X-ray)
- Breast ultrasound
- MRI
- Cytology or needle biopsy (to examine tissue for cancer cells)
🎗 Treatment Methods
Treatment options vary depending on the type and stage of the cancer.
| Treatment Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Surgery | Removal of cancer (breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy) |
| Radiation therapy | Used to prevent recurrence after surgery |
| Chemotherapy | For preventing recurrence or treating advanced breast cancer |
| Hormone therapy | Effective for hormone-sensitive types of breast cancer |
| Targeted therapy | New treatments for HER2-positive breast cancer |
🩷 Early Detection is the Key!
Breast cancer is highly treatable when detected early. That’s why regular breast cancer screening (such as mammograms) is essential.
If you’d like, we can also explain how to get screened or how to do a self-check✨
And if you’re worried because a family member has had breast cancer, feel free to talk to us. We’re here to help with gentle care and support 🌷
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