In a global initiative to raise awareness about breast cancer, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated October as Pink Month in 2015. Pink Month serves as a dedicated period for educating the public about the disease, focusing on early identification, signs, and symptoms associated with breast cancer.
The WHO underscored that breast cancer claims the lives of over 500,000 women worldwide each year. In resource-limited settings, a significant number of women are diagnosed with advanced-stage breast cancer, resulting in lower survival rates.
According to the WHO, breast cancer is defined as “a disease in which abnormal breast cells grow uncontrollably, forming tumors. Left unchecked, these tumors can spread throughout the body, ultimately becoming fatal.”
Breast cancer typically originates in the milk ducts or milk-producing lobules within the breast. The earliest form, known as “in situ,” is not life-threatening. However, cancer cells can invade nearby breast tissue, forming tumors that manifest as lumps or thickening.
Invasive cancers may spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs, a process called metastasis, which can be fatal. Treatment strategies are tailored to the individual, cancer type, and its stage.
Breast cancer can manifest in different areas of the body, causing various symptoms. Lymph nodes under the arm are often the first detectable sites of spread, although some cancer-bearing lymph nodes may not be palpable.
While breast cancer affects individuals worldwide, approximately 0.5–1% of breast cancer cases occur in men. Females face the greatest risk, and the treatment principles for breast cancer in men are similar to those for women.
In 2020, 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer, leading to 685,000 global deaths. By the end of 2020, 7.8 million women diagnosed with breast cancer within the past five years were alive, making it the most prevalent cancer globally. Breast cancer can affect women of all ages post-puberty but tends to increase with age.
Signs and Symptoms Breast cancer symptoms include a painless breast lump or thickening, alterations in breast size, shape, or appearance, skin changes such as dimpling, redness, or pitting, modifications in nipple appearance or areola skin, and the presence of abnormal or bloody fluid from the nipple.
Risk Factors Risk factors for breast cancer encompass age, excessive alcohol consumption, family history of breast cancer, history of radiation exposure, tobacco use, and postmenopausal hormone therapy. Reproductive history, including the age of first menstruation and age at first pregnancy, and obesity are also risk factors.
It is important to note that most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a known family history of the disease, and lack of a known family history does not necessarily reduce an individual’s risk.
Treatment Breast cancer treatment is tailored to the cancer subtype and its stage. Approaches vary based on whether the cancer is localized to the breast (stages 0-I) or has spread to lymph nodes or other body parts (stages II-IV).
Common treatments include surgery to remove breast tumors, radiation therapy to reduce recurrence risk, and medications designed to kill cancer cells and prevent their spread. These medications can include hormonal therapies, chemotherapy, or targeted biological therapies.
Early detection is crucial, and individuals who notice an abnormal breast lump, irrespective of pain, should seek immediate medical attention. Regular screenings and self-examinations are essential for early detection and effective breast cancer management.
Breast cancer, if left untreated, can metastasize to other organs, such as the lungs, liver, brain, and bones, leading to additional symptoms like bone pain or headaches. Timely medical intervention enhances the chances of successful treatment and improved outcomes in breast cancer cases.