Breast cancer|Lumpectomy

Breast cancer is a serious disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast.

The breast is made up of lobes and ducts. Each breast has 15 to 20 sections called lobes, which have many smaller sections known as lobules. Lobules end in dozens of tiny bulbs that can produce milk.

Family history has long been known to be a major risk factor for breast cancer. Both maternal and paternal relatives are important in this case.

The risk is highest if the affected relative developed breast cancer at a young age, had cancer in both breasts, or if she is a close relative.

Early breast cancer has no symptoms. It is usually not painful. Most breast cancer is discovered before symptoms are present, either by finding an abnormality on mammography or appearance of a breast lump.

Diagnosis of breast cancer usually comprises several steps. Some of them are- examination of the breast, mammography, possibly ultrasonography or MRI, and finally biopsy. Biopsy is the only definitive way to diagnose breast cancer.

The most important risk factors for the development of breast cancer are sex, age, and genetics. Because women can do nothing about these risks, regular screening is prescribed in order to allow early detection and thus prevent premature and painful death from breast cancer.

Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for breast cancer. The choice of which type of surgery is based on a number of factors that include- the size and location of the tumor, the type of tumor, and the person's overall health and personal wishes. Breast-sparing surgery is often possible these days.

This is also termed as breast conserving therapy. The surgeon removes the cancerous area and a surrounding margin of normal tissue. A second incision may be made in order to remove the lymph nodes. This treatment aims to maintain a normal breast appearance after the surgery.

The surgeon removes more breast tissue than in case of lumpectomy. The cancerous area and a surrounding margin of normal tissue are removed, and radiation therapy is usually given after surgery for six to eight weeks.

The entire breast is removed, but no lymph nodes are removed in this procedure. Simple mastectomy is most frequently used for further cancer prevention or when the cancer does not reach the lymph nodes.