After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States.  The TRICARE “Tip of the Week” focuses on breast cancer.

It starts when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control.

These cells usually form a tumor that can often be seen on imaging such as mammogram or felt as a lump.

The tumor is malignant (cancer) if the cells can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body.

Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it’s far more common in women.

There are 240,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in women each year and while deaths from breast cancer have declined, it remains to be the second leading cause of cancer death among women.

Types of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is described based on the type of cells involved and the extent of the disease. Invasive or infiltrating cancers have spread (invaded) into the surrounding breast tissue while metastatic breast cancer has spread to distant sites in the body.

• Invasive ductal carcinoma
• Invasive lobular carcinoma
• Triple-negative breast cancer
• Inflammatory breast cancer
• Paget’s disease of the breast
• Metastatic breast cancer
• Recurrent breast cancer

Non-Invasive Breast Cancers

Also called in situ breast cancers, non-invasive breast cancers have not yet become malignant or invaded into surrounding tissue.  If not treated, non-invasive breast cancers have a high risk of becoming invasive or malignant.

• Ductal carcinoma in situ
• Lobular carcinoma in situ

Symptoms

• Changes in the breast size or shape
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
• New lump in the breast or armpit
• Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)
• Pain in any area of the breast
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area
• Redness or flaky sink in the nipple area or breast
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast

Reducing Risk of Breast Cancer

Mammograms can detect breast cancer early, possibly before it has spread.

• Being physically active
• Breastfeeding your children
• Keeping a healthy weight
• Learning about the risk of taking various hormone replacements or oral contraceptives
• Learning about your family’s history with breast cancer
• Not drinking alcohol or drinking in moderation

*For more tips, visit TRICARE TIPS at M:M or visit the DHA Homepage.