Breast cancer ranks second in the list of cancers from which women suffer. Certain types of skin cancer affect women more than any other cancer, but in 2020 alone, Breastcancer.org reports that 276,480 Americans will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, 48,530 Americans will be diagnosed with non-invasive (in-situ) breast cancer, and the majority of breast cancer sufferers will be women. Only 2,620 men are included in these frightening statistics but it’s important to remember that men can get breast cancer, too. Let’s talk about breast cancer and how Eagle’s Landing OB/GYN can help.
Breast Cancer Types
You noticed we referenced invasive and non-invasive breast cancer in the above statistics. Non-invasive or in situ breast cancer, also known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), forms in the milk ducts but has not metastasized deeper into the breast tissue. In some cases, DCIS is pre-invasive cancer, but it doesn’t always turn into invasive breast cancer.
Invasive breast cancer means the cancer cells have metastasized into the surrounding breast tissue. Invasive breast cancer takes on two common forms: invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma. The former is the most common, accounting for 70 to 80 percent of all diagnosed breast cancers in the United States.
There are also rarer types of invasive breast cancer. They are triple-negative and inflammatory breast cancer, Paget disease of the breast, angiosarcoma, and phyllodes tumors. These breast cancer types are not as common as DCIS or invasive breast cancer but this does not mean they are harmless. Triple-negative breast cancer is very aggressive.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
As we talked about in a previous blog post, early detection helps you win the fight against breast cancer. Monthly self-examinations allow you to locate abnormalities in your breast tissue, both visible and to the touch. If you know the signs of breast cancer you’ll know what to look for during each self-exam. Breast cancer signs include
- Lump(s) in the breast(s)/armpit(s)
- Breast swelling or thickening
- Dimpled or irritated breast skin
- Red, flaky nipple(s) or breast skin
- Inverted nipple(s)
- Painful nipple(s)
- Bloody or other non-milk nipple discharge
- Breast size/shape changes
- Breast pain
Certain breast cancer symptoms mimic non-life-threatening conditions, such as swollen and painful breasts before your period. Nonetheless, it’s best to err on the side of caution and schedule a 3D mammogram with Eagle’s Landing OB/GYN right away if you experience any of the breast cancer signs listed above. Call our Stockbridge, GA, office to schedule an appointment.
