Breast Cancer
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that originates within the breasts. All people can develop breast cancer, but individuals who are AFAB (assigned female at birth) have an increased chance of breast cancer.
What are some types of breast cancer?
There are several different types of breast cancer. The type of breast cancer depends on where it originates within the breast tissue. Some examples include:
- Ductal carcinoma
- Invasive carcinoma
- Angiosarcoma
What are some symptoms of breast cancer?
Below is a helpful illustration highlighting some of the more common symptoms of breast cancer:
What is the likelihood of developing breast cancer?
The average risk for an AFAB individual to have breast cancer within their lifetime is around 13% (1 in 8 chance).
What are some risk factors for developing breast cancer?
Some risk factors for developing breast cancer include birth control, increased alcohol intake, not having children, menopausal hormonal therapy, being born female, getting older, specific gene mutations, and having a personal or family history of breast cancer.
Where can breast cancer originate from?
Breast cancer can begin in many different parts of the breast. Some of these locations are:
- Lobules
- Ducts
- Fat and connective tissues
- Lymph/blood vessels
Sources:
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Breast Cancer Risk Factors You Can’t Change. Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/risk-and-prevention/breast-cancer-risk-factors-you-cannot-change.html
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Key Statistics for Breast Cancer. Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Lifestyle-related Breast Cancer Risk Factors. Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/risk-and-prevention/lifestyle-related-breast-cancer-risk-factors.html
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Types of Breast Cancer: About Breast Cancer. Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/types-of-breast-cancer.html
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). What is Breast Cancer? Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/what-is-breast-cancer.html
Breast Cancer Now. (2015). Breast cancer recurrence symptoms. BreastCancerNow. https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/living-beyond-breast-cancer/life-after-breast-cancer-treatment/coping-emotionally/breast-cancer-recurrence-symptoms