loading
what is breast cancer

Author: Janine Guglielmino and Mary Alice Hartsock

Most of us learn about breast cancer from the news and from events and studies that get us closer to “the cure.” But in reality, researchers are looking for many cures, because breast cancer is not a single disease. Breast cancer is a group of diseases that are related because they involve the tissues of the breast.

Breast cancer occurs when normal breast cells grow and reproduce out of control, turning into cancerous (malignant) cells. These abnormal cells grow so much that they fill the ducts (ductal cancer) or the lobules (lobular cancer) of the breast. The lobules are glands that produce breast milk, and the ducts are the passageways that carry the milk from the lobules to the nipple.

Ductal cancers and lobular cancers are named by the way they look under a microscope. Ductal cancers tend to grow together in a mass, making them somewhat easier to find. Lobular cancers tend to grow in more than one area of the breast in a pattern like a sheet, making them more difficult to find. There are other special types of breast cancer, but in general doctors treat them in similar ways.

When cancer cells stay inside and fill the walls of the ducts, this is called in situ breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Other times the cells escape and grow through the walls of the ducts and lobules, invading nearby tissues. This is called invasive or infiltrating cancer. Invasive cancers can enter the bloodstream or the lymphatic channels and possibly travel to the lymph nodes under the arm, or even to organs beyond the breasts.

When you first receive your diagnosis, you will have little information about the cancer, its behavior or whether it has traveled beyond your breast. Over the next few weeks, your doctors will do tests to learn more about the features of the cancer. Once you know more, you and your doctors can determine together the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

Organizations such as Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) focus on connecting people with trusted breast cancer information and a community of support. LBBC focuses on providing you the education and support you need after you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, no matter your age or stage at diagnosis. National conferences, monthly webinars, regional community meetings, the Guides to Understanding Breast Cancer and a toll-free Breast Cancer Helpline are just a few examples of the services that are provided by LBBC, always at little or no cost.

Reprinted with permission from Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s Guide for the Newly Diagnosed, 2ndEdition ©2012. For more information about this guide and other publications, please visit Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s website at lbbc.org or call (888) 753-LBBC (5222). 

Most of us learn about breast cancer from the news and from events and studies that get us closer to “the cure.” But in reality, researchers are looking for many cures, because breast cancer is not a single disease. Breast cancer is a group of diseases that are related because they involve the tissues of the breast.

Sign Up for Our Monthly Newsletter

Online Form – Newsletter Signup

Continue Reading

what is breast cancer

Understanding Breast Cancer

Read More

cancer victory tools

10 Tools of Victory for Cancer Survivors

10 Tools of Victory for Cancer Survivors July 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Author: Brandy (Korman) Haslam For those of you who weren’t able to attend our last Pink Ladies meeting at the Baptist Breast Center, I thought I would recap Andrea Kassem’s talk on the ‘Ten Tools of Victory for Cancer Survivors.’ […]

Read More

how is nipple reconstruction done

The Art of Nipple Reconstruction

The Art of Nipple Reconstruction July 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Author: Brandy (Korman) Haslam How is nipple reconstruction performed after a mastectomy?  If you’re like me, you’re really curious to know how your surgeon reconstructs your nipple after your breast reconstruction surgery. Although there are many different ways to do the procedure, […]

Read More

lymphedema surgery

Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer Improves Arm Lymphedema after Breast Cancer Surgery

Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer Improves Arm Lymphedema after Breast Cancer Surgery July 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Author: Dr. Steven Pisano What is involved during vascularized lymph node transfer surgery?  Arm lymphedema (permanent arm swelling) after surgery for breast cancer is a common problem, occurring in 7% of women undergoing sentinel lymph node […]

Read More

how to grieve a cancer diagnosis

The Five Stages of Cancer Grief

The Five Stages of Cancer Grief July 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Author: Brandy (Korman) Haslam What are the stages of grief during breast cancer? During our Pink Ladies meeting last week, we had the opportunity to meet Lucy Zeigler, PRMA patient and certified professional counselor specializing in grief therapy. Lucy went over […]

Read More

natural breast reconstruction before and after photos

Advanced Breast Reconstruction Before and After Photos

Advanced Breast Reconstruction Before and After Photos July 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Author: Brandy (Korman) Haslam Are you interested in breast reconstruction at PRMA and want to see real results of the most advanced breast reconstruction techniques? View our before and after video of patients who had DIEP flap, SIEA flap, LAT […]

Read More

why the rib is removed during diep flap

Dr. Ochoa Explains Why a Small Portion of Rib is Removed During the DIEP Flap

Dr. Ochoa Explains Why a Small Portion of Rib is Removed During the DIEP Flap July 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Author: Dr. Oscar Ochoa Why is a portion of rib removed during DIEP flap breast reconstruction?  The reason why a small portion of the rib is removed (1-2 centimeters) where it meets […]

Read More

what is lat flap surgery

Breast Reconstruction With Latissimus Dorsi Flap

Breast Reconstruction With Latissimus Dorsi Flap July 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Author: Dr. Gary Arishita What is Latissimus flap breast reconstruction?  A latissimus (LAT) flap is a procedure where part of the muscle on the back is used to do a reconstruction. A small segment of skin is also included with that […]

Read More

how does radiation affect implant reconstruction

Radiation and Breast Reconstruction with Implants

Radiation and Breast Reconstruction with Implants July 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Author: Dr. Gary Arishita Is implant breast reconstruction safe after radiation therapy?  It is estimated that in 2013, more then 232,000 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer with over 64,000 being diagnosed with in-situ disease. Of these women, half […]

Read More

how to keep track of your medical history

Keeping Track of Your Medical History

Keeping Track of Your Medical History July 08, 2020 Share on Facebook Twitter Linkedin Author: Brandy (Korman) Haslam Should you keep track of your medical records?  If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, chances are you’ve probably seen members of your medical team writing a lot of notes in your chart. These notes are a […]

Read More

post-img
Prev post

10 Tools of Victory for Cancer Survivors

Next post

Are you a BRCA Patient Interested in Prophylactic Mastectomy & Breast Reconstruction?

post-img