Breast Cancer

Breast cancer ( malignant breast neoplasm ) is a type of cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk.

[ 1 ] Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas ; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas . Breast cancer is a disease of humans and other mammals ; whilethe overwhelming majority of cases in humans are women, men can sometimes also develop breastcancer.

[ 2 ] The size, stage, rate of growth, andother characteristics of the tumor determine the kinds of treatment. Treatment may include surgery , drugs ( hormonal therapy and chemotherapy ), radiation and/or immunotherapy.

[ 3 ] Surgical removal of the tumor provides the single largest benefit, with surgery alone being capable of producing a cure in many cases. To somewhat increase the likelihood of long-term disease-free survival, several chemotherapy regimens are commonly given in addition to surgery. Most forms of chemotherapy kill cells that are dividing rapidly anywhere in the body, and as a result cause temporary hair loss and digestive disturbances. Radiation is indicated especially after breast conserving surgery and substantially improves local relapserates and in many circumstances also overall survival.

[ 4 ] Some breast cancers are sensitive to hormones such as estrogen and/or progesterone , which makes it possible to treat them by blocking the effects of these hormones.
Worldwide, breast cancer comprises 22.9% of all cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers ) in women.

[ 5 ] In 2008, breast cancer caused 458,503 deaths worldwide (13.7% of cancer deaths in women).

[ 6 ] Breast cancer is more than 100 times more common in women than breast cancer in men , although males tend to have poorer outcomes due to delays in diagnosis.

[ 7 ] Prognosis and survival rates vary greatly depending on cancer type, staging and treatment. However, survival rates across the world are generally good.

[ 8 ] Overall more than 8 out of 10 women (84%) in England that are diagnosed with the disease survive it for at least 5 years.