What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is cancer that develops in your breast tissue. It typically starts in the milk ducts or the lobules – the part of the breast that produces milk. Although breast cancer can affect both men and women, it is more common in women. According to the best oncologist in Kolkata, the most common breast cancers are invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma.

As per a breast cancer doctor in Kolkata, some common symptoms of breast cancer include:

1. Thickening or the presence of a lump in the breast or underarm area 2. Changes in breast size or shape 3. Nipple discharge, especially if it’s blood 4 . Changes in the skin of the breast, like dimpling, puckering, or redness 5. Changes in the nipple – turning inward (inverted) or that begins to flatten or change shape 6. Breast pain or tenderness

Some common risk factors for breast cancer include:

1. Gender : Breast cancer is much more common in women than in men. 2. Age : The risk of breast cancer rises as a person gets older. 3. Family history : A person’s risk of breast cancer is higher in case a close family member has had the disease. 4. Genetic mutations: Certain inherited genetic mutations, such as those in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, can increase the risk of breast cancer. 5. Personal history of breast cancer : A person who has had breast cancer in one breast has a higher risk of developing cancer in the other breast or a different part of that breast. 5. Hormonal factors : Exposure to estrogen and progesterone, either from the body’s natural hormone production or from hormone replacement therapy, can put you at the risk of breast cancer.

According to the best oncologist in Kolkata, the most common treatments for breast cancer include:

1. Radiation therapy : It uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It is often used after surgery to kill the remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. It can also be used to relieve symptoms of advanced breast cancer. 2. Chemotherapy : Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It is usually given after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells and lower the risk of recurrence. It can also be used to shrink tumours before surgery or to treat advanced breast cancer. 3. Hormone therapy : It is used to treat breast cancers that are hormone receptor-positive. It blocks the effects of estrogen or progesterone, which can fuel the growth of certain types of breast cancer. 4. Targeted therapy : It is a newer type of treatment that targets specific genes or proteins in cancer cells. It can be used to treat certain types of breast cancer, like HER2-positive breast cancer. 5. Immunotherapy : It is a type of treatment that helps your body’s immune system fight cancerous cells. It is still relatively new in breast cancer treatment but may be an option for some patients. 6. Surgery : Surgery is usually the first treatment for breast cancer. The type of surgery depends on the stage and location of cancer. The most common types of surgery for breast cancer include lumpectomy, mastectomy, and lymph node removal.