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Breast Cancer – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Learn about its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options in this comprehensive overview.

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Things worth knowing about "Breast Cancer"

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Learn about its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options in this comprehensive overview.

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer (medically known as mammary carcinoma) is a malignant tumor disease in which cells in the breast tissue divide and multiply uncontrollably. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide and, in rare cases, can also affect men. When detected early, the chances of successful treatment are very high.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of breast cancer is not fully understood. However, a number of well-established risk factors have been identified:

Genetic predisposition: Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes significantly increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
Age: Risk increases with age, particularly after the age of 50.
Hormonal factors: Long-term hormone replacement therapy, early onset of menstruation, or late menopause may raise the risk.
Lifestyle factors: Obesity, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and smoking are modifiable risk factors.
Family history: Having a first-degree relative with breast cancer increases personal risk.
Dense breast tissue: Women with very dense breast tissue have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Symptoms

In its early stages, breast cancer often causes no symptoms. Potential warning signs include:

A palpable lump or hardening in the breast or armpit
Changes in the shape or size of the breast
Dimpling or changes in the nipple
Discharge from the nipple (outside of breastfeeding)
Redness, scaling, or thickening of the breast skin
Persistent pain in the breast

If one or more of these signs are present, a doctor should be consulted promptly.

Diagnosis

Several methods are available for diagnosing breast cancer:

Imaging Procedures

Mammography: An X-ray examination of the breast – the most important screening tool for women aged 50 and over.
Ultrasound (sonography): A complementary method, particularly useful in younger women with dense breast tissue.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): Used in high-risk cases or when findings from other tests are unclear.

Tissue Sampling (Biopsy)

The diagnosis is confirmed through a biopsy, in which a tissue sample is taken and examined under a microscope. Only this procedure can definitively confirm whether cancer is present.

Treatment

Treatment for breast cancer is individualized and depends on tumor type, size, stage, and the personal characteristics of the patient. A combination of different approaches is often used:

Surgery

Breast-conserving surgery: Removal of the tumor while preserving the breast (lumpectomy).
Mastectomy: Complete removal of the breast, in cases of extensive or multiple tumors.

Radiation Therapy

After breast-conserving surgery, radiation therapy is often performed to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Systemic Drug Therapies

Chemotherapy: The use of drugs that target and destroy rapidly dividing cells.
Hormone therapy: For hormone-sensitive breast cancer, drugs that block the effect of estrogen are used (e.g., tamoxifen).
Targeted therapy: Drugs such as trastuzumab (Herceptin) specifically target certain tumor characteristics (e.g., HER2-positive breast cancer).
Immunotherapy: Stimulation of the immune system to fight cancer cells, used in specific breast cancer subtypes.

Prevention and Early Detection

Regular screening examinations can detect breast cancer at an early stage, significantly improving treatment outcomes:

Mammography screening every two years for women aged 50 to 74
Regular breast self-examination
Clinical breast examination as part of routine gynecological check-ups
Genetic counseling and intensive monitoring for those with a family history

References

World Health Organization (WHO): Breast cancer fact sheet. Geneva, 2024. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer
Harbeck N, Gnant M: Breast cancer. The Lancet. 2017;389(10074):1134-1150. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31891-8
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN): NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology – Breast Cancer. Version 2024. Available at: https://www.nccn.org

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