What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer, also known as cancer of the breast, is a type of cancer that affects the breast tissue. In most cases, the breast tissue grows out of control and proportion. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. These cancer cells grow really fast and abnormally. The rapidly growing cells can form a lump in the breast. The cancerous cells can also spread to other parts of the body through blood vessels and lymph vessels in the body.

The process of spreading is known as “metastasis.” Change in shape, size, and appearance of the breast, new inversion of the nipple, scaling or flaking of the areola (pigmented region of the breast), a lump in the breast and orange like the appearance of the skin on the breast are some signs to watch out for. These signs can indicate underlying breast cancer.

Breast Cancer is a type of disease wherein the cells that can be found in the breast start to grow uncontrollably. The abnormal cells may start growing on different parts of the breast, but most of the abnormal cells may start to grow on the milk-producing ducts. As the cells continue to grow undetected, they may begin to spread to other parts of the breasts.

Given more time, they will start to spread to other parts of the body. The most common type of breast cancer is invasive ductal carcinoma, but there are other types of breast cancer that women (and also men) can become afflicted with.