What is breast cancer?
Breasts are made of fat with connective and glandular tissue divided into lobes. A network of milk ducts spreads from the lobes to the nipple.
Breast cancer happens when these cells begin to grow abnormally and multiply quickly, forming a tumour.
In Australia in 2013, just 142 men received a breast cancer diagnosis, compared with 15,902 women.
The risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer by age 85 is 1 in 8 for women and 1 in 631 for men.
Different types of breast cancer
Non-invasive means the cancer cells haven’t spread from their original location.
• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) – in DCIS, cancer cells are found within the milk ducts of the breast
• Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) – in LCIS, abnormal cells are found within breast lobules – but it’s not cancer. LCIS increases the risk of developing cancer, although most women with this condition won’t go on to develop breast cancer
‘Invasive’ means the cancer cells have spread to nearby tissue.
• Early breast cancer – in early breast cancer, cancer cells have spread from the ducts or lobules into nearby breast tissue. The cancer may also have spread to lymph nodes in the armpit. The most common types are invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)
• Locally advanced breast cancer – in locally advanced breast cancer, the cancer has spread to other areas nearby, such as the chest (including the skin, muscles and bones of the chest) and lymph nodes
Secondary, metastatic or advanced breast cancer means that the cancer cells have spread from the breast to other areas of the body, such as the bones, liver or lungs
Non-invasive means the cancer cells haven’t spread from their original location.
• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) – in DCIS, cancer cells are found within the milk ducts of the breast
• Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) – in LCIS, abnormal cells are found within breast lobules – but it’s not cancer. LCIS increases the risk of developing cancer, although most women with this condition won’t go on to develop breast cancer
‘Invasive’ means the cancer cells have spread to nearby tissue.
• Early breast cancer – in early breast cancer, cancer cells have spread from the ducts or lobules into nearby breast tissue. The cancer may also have spread to lymph nodes in the armpit. The most common types are invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)
• Locally advanced breast cancer – in locally advanced breast cancer, the cancer has spread to other areas nearby, such as the chest (including the skin, muscles and bones of the chest) and lymph nodes
Secondary, metastatic or advanced breast cancer means that the cancer cells have spread from the breast to other areas of the body, such as the bones, liver or lungs
In many cases, there are no obvious symptoms. Symptoms similar to breast cancer may turn out to be a simple infection or cyst.
Kylie's breast cancer story
Common symptoms of breast cancer
Swelling in all or part of the breast
Irritation or dimpling on the skin
Pain in the breast or nipple
Nipple turning inwards (retraction)
Redness or scaliness
Treatments we cover
Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, kills cancer cells. It’s used in the early stages of cancer treatment or after it has started to spread. It can also be used to relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread.
Chemotherapy is medication that treats your cancer. The drugs kill cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and spreading further.
Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, kills cancer cells. It’s used in the early stages of cancer treatment or after it has started to spread. It can also be used to relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread.
Chemotherapy is medication that treats your cancer. The drugs kill cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and spreading further.
Helpful resources
We understand that you may still have some unanswered questions, and we’re here to help you in any way we can. But if you are still seeking answers visit Targeting Cancer for further information about this condition or contact a staff member from a centre near you.
