Breast cancer develops in the cells of the breast. It happens when aberrant breast cells proliferate out of control, creating a tumor that frequently appears as a bump on an X-ray, one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. With early detection, it is also one of the most treatable.
Usually, this disease begins in the glandular tissue known as lobules (lobular carcinoma) or the milk-producing ducts (ductal carcinoma). It can gradually infiltrate neighboring tissues and, in more severe situations, spread (metastasize) to other bodily areas such as the brain, liver, lungs, or bones.
Types are:-
1. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
Early-stage, Noninvasive breast cancer.originates inside the milk ducts, the small excellent Prognosis if treated early (usually surgery + radiation).
2. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
The most common type of breast cancer starts in the ducts but spreads into the surrounding breast tissue, can enter the lymph nodes or bloodstream, and spread to other parts of the body.
3. Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)- Begins in milk-producing lobules. May not form a lump, making it harder to detect
4. Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)- Lacks hormone receptors and HER2 protein. Aggression and more common in BRCA1 mutation carriers.
5. HER2-Positive Breast Cancer- Overproduces HER2 protein that causes cancer cells to grow quickly. Responds well to targeted therapies like Herceptin (trastuzumab) and Perjeta.
6. Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer- Slow-growing, depends on estrogen and/or progesterone to grow. Treated effectively with hormone-blocking drugs
7. Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)-Rare but very aggressive. Often mistaken for an infection at first, leading to delays in diagnosis, causes the breast to become red, swollen, warm, and tender.
8. Paget’s Disease of the Nipple- Affects the skin of the nipple and areola, causing redness, flaking skin, and sometimes bloody discharge. Linked to underlying DCIS or invasive cancer.
9. Metastatic Breast Cancer (Stage IV)- advanced cancer spreads beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body like bones, liver, lungs, or brain.
Breast cancers often begin subtly, with signs that can easily be overlooked. Recognizing these symptoms early is critical:
Timely diagnosis helps personalize treatment and improve outcomes.
Here are the stages of breast cancer from Stage 0 to Stage IV
|
Stage |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Stage 0 (Non-Invasive) |
Cancer is confined to the ducts or lobules of the breast, also called in situ or non-invasive breast cancer. No invasion into nearby tissues. |
|
Stage I (Early Invasive) |
Cancer begins to invade nearby normal breast tissue. Subdivided into: |
|
– Stage IA |
Tumor ≤ 2 cm, no lymph node involvement. |
|
– Stage IB |
Tiny cancer cells found in 1–3 lymph nodes and possibly in the breast; tumor ≤ 2 cm. |
|
Stage II (Localized Spread) |
Tumors may vary in size and may or may not involve nearby lymph nodes. Subdivided into: |
|
– Stage IIA |
Either: • No tumor in breast but cancer in 1–3 lymph nodes • Tumor ≤ 2 cm with spread to lymph nodes • Tumor 2–5 cm without lymph node involvement |
|
– Stage IIB |
Either: • Tumor 2–5 cm with spread to 1–3 axillary lymph nodes • Tumor > 5 cm without lymph node spread |
|
Stage III (Advanced Local Spread) |
Cancer is more extensive with greater lymph node involvement. Subdivided into: |
|
– Stage IIIA |
Either: • Tumor of any size with spread to 4–9 lymph nodes • Tumor > 5 cm with spread to 1–3 lymph nodes |
|
– Stage IIIB |
Tumor of any size that has invaded the chest wall or caused skin changes/swelling (inflammatory breast cancer); up to 9 lymph nodes involved |
|
– Stage IIIC |
Tumor of any size with spread to 10 or more lymph nodes |
|
Stage IV (Metastatic) |
Most advanced stage. Cancer has spread beyond the breast and regional lymph nodes to distant organs like bones, liver, lungs, or brain. |
Here is the Multimodal Approach that can help treat breast Cancer
Lumpectomy – Tumor removal with breast preservation
Mastectomy – Full removal of one or both breasts
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy – To check the spread of cancer
Chemotherapy- Used before (neoadjuvant) or after (adjuvant) surgery to destroy cancer cells. We personalize regimens based on tumor biology and patient tolerance.
Hormonal Therapy- For ER+/PR+ tumors, we prescribe anti-estrogen medications like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors to prevent recurrence.
Targeted Therapy- test for HER2-positive cancers and treat with drugs like Trastuzumab (Herceptin) to block cancer growth signals.
Immunotherapy- For select triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) or high TMB cancers, immunotherapy boosts your immune system to fight cancer naturally.
Radiation Therapy- Post-surgery or in advanced cases to reduce local recurrence risk.
Here is the summarised table
|
Stage |
Recommended Treatments |
|
Stage 0 (In Situ) |
Lumpectomy or Mastectomy + Radiation (in some cases) |
|
Stage I–II (Early & Localized) |
Surgery (Lumpectomy/Mastectomy) + Radiation + Chemotherapy or Hormone Therapy based on hormone receptor status |
|
Stage III (Locally Advanced) |
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (before surgery) + Surgery + Radiation + Hormonal or Targeted Therapy |
|
Stage IV (Metastatic) |
Systemic therapies, including Hormonal Therapy, Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy, and Immunotherapy (based on genetic profiling) |
Here are some of the lifestyle tips:
Breast Cancer Statistics (Global vs India)
|
Field |
Global (2022) |
India (2022) |
|
New Cases |
~2.3 million new cases (GLOBOCAN); ASIR ~47.8/100k |
~192,000 new cases; ASIR ~25.8/100k; most common cancer among Indian women (~28.2% of all female cancers) |
|
Deaths |
~670,000 deaths worldwide; the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women |
~98,000 deaths; the leading cause of cancer deaths in Indian women |
|
Age & Gender |
Mainly affects women 50+ (highest incidence); ~1% of cases in men |
~33% cases occur in women aged 25–49; early onset (~16% in one report below 50 age) suggests early onset in India |
|
Hotspots |
High incidence in North America, Western Europe, and Australia |
Urban areas like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai show the highest detection rates |
|
Rural vs Urban |
Better screening in urban areas → earlier diagnosis & treatment |
Urban India (higher incidence 20/100k) vs Rural regions(6/100k) often due to late diagnosis and lower awareness |
|
5-yr Survival |
~85–90% in developed nations (early-stage); much lower in metastatic cases |
~66% average survival; ranges 42%-75% based on access & stage |
|
Key Subtypes |
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), lobular, HER2-positive, triple-negative (TNBC) |
Similar subtypes: (Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is reported to be more prevalent and aggressive and often associated with poorer outcomes and is more common in Indian women |
|
Step |
Description |
|
Blood Collection |
A blood sample was collected from the patient. |
|
Cell Isolation & Culture |
Monocytes mature into dendritic cells |
|
Antigen Loading & Activation |
Cells trained to detect tumor antigens |
|
Denvax Vaccine Preparation |
Mature dendritic cells packaged |
|
First Dose Administered |
The vaccine was injected into the patient |
|
Booster Doses |
As per the doctor's advice |
Breast Cancer Success Stories- Watch Here
Yes! Early breast cancer is curable, and even metastatic types can be managed, helping patients live longer, healthier lives.
Yes, although rare. About 1% of all breast cancers occur in men, and early detection is necessary to control it in the early stage.
Breast cancer is staged from 0 to IV. Stage 0 is non-invasive (in situ); Stage IV means the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.
Some breast cancer treatments may impact fertility, so it’s important to discuss preservation options with your doctor before beginning therapy. Breast cancer can also be diagnosed during pregnancy, and treatment plans are carefully customized to safeguard both the mother and the baby.
Yes. Maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding tobacco can lower your risk.
It depends on your age and risk factors. Generally, women aged 40 and above should get a mammogram every 1–2 years, but those at higher risk might start earlier. Always follow your doctor’s advice.
Major risk factors include being female, older age, family history of breast cancer, genetic mutations (like BRCA1/BRCA2), obesity, hormone therapy, and alcohol consumption.
