Breast cancer occurs when normal cells in the breast change and begin to grow out of control and then invade nearby tissues or even spread throughout the body. Large collections of these rapidly growing cells are called tumors.
Any mass of cells is considered a tumor, though some can be harmless and unable to spread. These tumors are considered benign. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, are dangerous and capable of growing rapidly and invading other tissues beyond their site of origin. Theoretically, any of the types of tissue in the breast can form a cancer, but usually it begins in the ducts or the glands.
Because it may take months to years for a tumor to grow large enough to feel in the breast, SureTouch's tactile elasticity imaging technology can be used to screen for tumors and electronically “see” them before we can feel them. If a lump has already been discovered through human touch, SureTouch helps to understand exactly where the lump is located and assists the examiner determine if it is an abnormality that requires further investigation and/or additional diagnosis.
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women throughout the world. According to the World Health Organization, more than 1.2 million people will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year worldwide and over 500,000 will die from the disease. The American Cancer Society estimates that 182,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in 2008. Breast cancer death rates have been dropping steadily since 1990, according to the Society, because of earlier detection and better treatments.
Unfortunately, the early stages of breast cancer may not have any symptoms. This is why it is important to follow screening recommendations. In most cases, the first signs of breast cancer are recognized as a small and often palpable lump in the breast. Other, less obvious signs to notice are:
If you experience these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean you have breast cancer, but you need to be examined by a doctor.
The large majority (8 out of 10) of all breast lumps are found to be benign. Pain in the breast is not usually a symptom of breast cancer. Breasts can often feel lumpy and tender before a period in healthy women and some types of benign breast lumps are often painful in themselves.
In some situations, a few breast cancer cells can break away and spread through the lymph or blood systems to another part of the body, where they can form new tumors. The lymph glands in the armpit can sometimes be affected or the breakaway cells can lodge in the bones, the lungs or the liver. Not all breast cancer cells spread like this; some cells may be removed completely by surgery or radiotherapy or may die when treated medically, and some may simply lie dormant for many years.
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