What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer starts in the cells of the breast. The breast tissue covers an area larger than just the breast. It extends up to the collarbone and from the armpit across to the breastbone in the centre of the chest. The breasts sit on the chest muscles that cover the ribs. Each breast is made of glands, ducts (thin tubes) and fatty tissue. Lobules are groups of glands that can produce milk. Milk flows from the lobules through a network of ducts to the nipple. The nipple is in the centre of a darker area of skin called the areola. Fatty tissue fills the spaces between the lobules and ducts and protects them.
A woman’s breasts may feel different at different times of her menstrual cycle, sometimes becoming lumpy just before her period. Breast tissue also changes with age. Breast tissue in younger women is mostly made of glands and milk ducts, but older women’s breasts are made up mostly of fatty tissue.
{Image credit – Medscape}
The breasts also contain lymph vessels and lymph nodes, which are part of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps fight infections. Lymph vessels move lymph fluid to the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes trap bacteria, cancer cells and other harmful substances. There are groups of lymph nodes near the breast under the arm, near the collarbone and in the chest behind the breastbone.
Cancer cells may start within the ducts (this is called ductal carcinoma) or in the lobules (lobular carcinoma). Ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer.
| The information in this section is about ductal and lobular carcinomas. Other types of cancer such as inflammatory breast cancer and Paget’s disease, behave differently and may need different treatment. For more information about other types of breast cancer, call the Cancer Information Services 1 888 939-3333 or e-mail info@cis.cancer.ca. |
For more information please visit the Canadian Cancer Society website.
The information contained in this post was obtained from the Canadian Cancer Society website.
{Disclaimer - The material provided on this site is designed for information and educational purposes only. The materials are not intended to be a self diagnostic and/or self treatment tool. I encourage you to use this information as a tool for discussing your condition and/or concerns with your health practitioner.}
Thanks for posting Monica. Very interesting and important to know.
Betty
Hi Betty,
It is indeed very important information for all women (and actually men too as they can also develop breast cancer).
Betty, I hope you, Janet, Judy and all your families have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Will you all be gathered for a celebration at your home?
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours too Monica. Judy always had Thanksgiving dinner with us but this year we are getting too many in each family. Sherri and Aaron and the grandkids are coming home and will ahve their dinner with her Mom on Sunday and with us on Monday. Janet is actually having their dinner the next weekend to accomodate her sons and their families. We will all get together for Christmas though.