Breast Cancer
Breast cancer develops when cells in your breast expand and divide uncontrollably, resulting in a lump of tissue known as a tumor. Breast cancer symptoms include feeling a lump in your breast, changing breast size, and noticing changes in the skin of your breasts. Mammograms can assist in early detection.
Breast cancer is the second most frequent cancer in women, after skin cancer. Women over the age of 50 are more likely to be affected. Men can develop breast cancer, but it is uncommon.
Transgender women are more likely to acquire breast cancer. Furthermore, transgender men are less likely to acquire breast cancer than cisgender women.
What causes breast cancer?
When abnormal cells in your breast proliferate and multiply, breast cancer develops. However, specialists are unsure what causes this process to begin in the first place.
- Age
- Sex
- Family history and genetic disorders
- Smoking
- Alcohol use
- Obesity
- Radiation exposure
- Hormone replacement therapy
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
Your healthcare professional will examine your breasts and inquire about your family history, medical history, and any current symptoms. Your doctor may also offer to test to look for breast abnormalities. Among these tests are:
Mammogram
Changes or abnormal growths in your breast might be detected with these specialized X-ray scans. Mammography is often used in the prevention of breast cancer.
Ultrasonography
This test uses sound waves to photograph the tissues within your breast. It is used to aid in the diagnosis of breast masses or abnormalities.
Positron emission tomography scanning (PET)
Special dyes are used in PET scans to highlight questionable spots. During this test, your doctor will inject a specific dye into your veins and use a scanner to take images.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Magnets and radio waves are used in this test to provide clear, detailed photographs of the structures inside your breast.