Breast Cancer is a form of cancer that develops due to the uncontrolled growth of the cells of breasts. It is one of the most prominent forms of cancer majorly found in women, but can also occur in men

Usually, breast cancer can begin from -

• The luminal cells - The milk-producing glands
• The ducts - passages that drain milk from the lobules to the nipple
• The stromal tissues–Includes the fatty and fibrous connective tissues of the breast

Signs and symptoms of Breast Cancer include:

• A lump in the breast or thickening that feels different from the other surrounding tissues
• Noticeable change in the appearance of the breast either in shape or size
• Changes in the skin over the breast like the formation of dimpling
• Signs of a newly inverted nipple
• Swelling in the armpit
• Changes in the skin surrounding the nipple (areola) or breast skin such as peeling, crusting scaling or flaking of the pigmented area
• Redness or pitting of the breast skin (like the skin of an orange) 

Doctors conduct various tests to diagnose Breast Cancer to ascertain the spread of Cancer to other parts of the body. Breast Cancer is often diagnosed using the following tests:

• Breast Ultrasound
• Diagnostic Mammography
• 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Image-guided Breast Core Biopsy
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
• PET / CT
• Sophisticated Interventional Radiology Procedures (Wire Localisation)
• Stereotactic Biopsy
• Sentinel Node Evaluation (SLNB) using Gamma Probe
• Staging Tests

• Surgical Process: Oncologists use the following types of surgical process to remove tumour from the body:
  1. Mastectomy:  It is a skin-sparing surgery that removes the whole breast with tumour.
  2. Lumpectomy/Breast Conservation Surgery: Removal of lump around the breast with 1 cm axillary lymph clearance.
  3. Breast Reconstruction Surgery: Reconstructive surgery helps in correcting deformities and restoring normal function after cancer-related treatments. It aims to achieve the best possible repair outcomes for treatment-related damage. It is done along with or after Mastectomy/Lumpectomy.

• Radiation Therapy: Involves the use of high-energy waves to kill cancer cells. Advanced Radiation Therapy used for Breast Cancer treatment include:
  1. Single Dose Intra-operative Radiation Therapy (IORT)
  2. 3DConformal Partial Breast Irradiation (CPBI)
• Chemotherapy: Involves the use of powerful medicines to kill cancer cells
• Hormone Therapy: Involves the use of hormonal drugs like estrogens to prevent hormones from fuelling the growth of Breast Cancer cells
• Targeted Therapy: This therapy targets cancer specific genes, proteins or the tissue environment that contribute to cancer growth and survival
• Immunotherapy: This therapy involves the use of medicines that prompt the body's immune system or natural defences to destroy cancer

A patient might get Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy or Targeted Therapy along with surgery or radiation. This approach helps in killing the left behind cancer cells, during other forms of treatment.

• Keep a healthy weight
• Be physically more active; exercise for at least 30 minutes daily
• Eat healthy food and avoid too much alcohol consumption
• Avoid smoking
• If possible, try to breastfeed
• Avoid the use of birth control pills, particularly if the person is a smoker or above 35 years of age
• Go for regular screening every year, especially after 40 years of age

Genetic Factors

• Gender:  Breast cancer is 100 times more common in females than in males
• Age:  Women above 50 years of age are more prone to invasive cancer 
• Race:  Caucasian women are more liable to develop Breast Cancer than women of other races.
• Family History and Genetic Factors: Women with a family history of Breast Cancer or Ovarian Cancer are at high risk of developing Breast Cancer in the future.
• Personal Health History: Women with a history of Breast Cancer treatment in the past are at increased risk of a relapse
• Menstrual and Reproductive History: Menstruation before 12 years of age or menopause after 55 years of age; having the first child after 35 years of age or never having a child can increase the risk of Breast Cancer.
• Certain Genome Changes:  Mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 in certain genes can increase the risk of Breast Cancer. 
• Dense Breast Tissue:  Having dense breast can make lumps harder to detect, thus increasing the risk of Breast Cancer

Environmental and Lifestyle Risk Factors

• Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity can increase the risk of Breast Cancer
• Unhealthy Diet: A diet with high saturated fat and lacking fruits and vegetables can increase the risk of Breast Cancer
• Being Overweight: A person is at an increased risk if she is obese or has already gone through menopause.  
• Drinking Alcohol: The more the consumption of alcohol, the greater the risk
• Radiation Therapy or HRT: Undergoing Radiation Therapy for breast before the age of 30 or taking prescribed combined Hormone Replacement Therapy for menopause can increase the risk for Breast Cancer.