In the UK, breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer. There are 48,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Of these, 80% are over 50, however breast cancer can also affect younger women and, in rare instances, men. The main cause of death for women between the ages of 34 and 54 is breast cancer.
A woman’s breasts are composed of fat, supporting (connective) tissue, and tissues containing lobe-shaped glands. These lobes contain milk glands that generate breast milk. They have a network of milk ducts connecting them to the nipple.
It’s possible that the two breasts differ slightly from one another. They alter during the course of a woman’s life and frequently feel different depending on the time of the month due to hormonal changes. They might feel lumpy right before a period, and as a woman gets older, they might feel softer, smaller, and more loose.
An region of breast tissue protrudes into the armpit under the skin (axilla). The breast’s tail is what this is known as.
Many numbers of microscopic cells make up the human body. Cells often expand and divide in a highly controlled manner. Only when and where they are required are new cells created. When cancer develops, the growth cycle of the cells goes awry, causing them to multiply uncontrollably. DNA damage causes cells to develop into cancerous cells. This causes a lump to form, which may be benign, non-cancerous, or aggressive in its growth and therefore referred to as malignant or cancerous.
Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms but usually shows as a lump or thickening in the breast tissue. Other common symptoms may include deformity, ulcers and discharge from the nipple.
