Breast cancer is a problem caused by malignant cell growth originating from breast tissue, most likely from the milk ducts or the lobules of the breast. It generally occurs in women, although in rare cases, it can be found in men as well. Breast cancer is the second most lethal cancer in women, right after lung cancer. It is estimated that 1 out of 100 women are affected by this disease. It accounts for 22.9% of all cancer cases in women worldwide. It also accounts for 458,503 deaths worldwide in the year 2008.

This disease can be categorized into several types. The ductal carcinoma – which originates from the milk ducts – is the most common type; it accounts for 80% of all breast cancer cases. The second most common type is the lobular cancer (which develops in the lobules) which accounts for around 10-15% of all cases. The less common types include the inflammatory breast cancer, phyllodes tumor, medullary cancer, mucinous (colloid) carcinoma, mixed tumors, and a type of cancer which involves the symptoms similar to Paget’s disease.

If you suspect that you might have this disease, you should consult a doctor immediately for examination. For effective breast cancer treatments and cures, your doctor should run some tests to determine which type of cancer you have. The stage, rate of growth, size, and other characteristics of the abnormal cancerous cells are also the keys to determine the type of treatments suitable for you. Conventional treatment methods include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted drugs. Read the rest of this entry »