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About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide, characterized by malignant growths in breast tissue. Understanding your risks, recognizing symptoms, and seeking timely care are key to better outcomes

Women looking out the window
Woman performing a self breast exam checking for lumps
Cancer patient discussing treatment options with her doctor

General Info

General statistics for understanding breast cancer

  • Most common cancer in women (1 in 8 risk)
  • Men can get it too (1% - 1 in 726 risk)
  • Around 15% of women diagnosed have a family history of breast cancer
  • Overall decline in death of 44% since 1989
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Question 1

Which type of breast cancer accounts for roughly 70–80% of invasive cases?
A

Inflammatory breast cancer

B

Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC)

C

Invasive lobular carcinoma

D

Medullary carcinoma

Explanation:

IDC is the most common invasive type, originating in the milk ducts.

Risk Factors

Evidence-based indicators linked to disease risk

  • Age (50+)
  • Family history & BRCA genes
  • Hormones (early periods - before age 12, late menopause - after 55, HRT)
  • Lifestyle (alcohol, obesity, inactivity)
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Symptoms

Various signs that may indicate disease presence

  • Lump or swelling
  • Skin changes (dimpling, redness, itching)
  • Nipple changes (inversion, discharge)
  • Persistent breast pain and discomfort
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Question 2

Which type of mammogram is considered more sensitive for women with dense breasts?
A

2D digital mammogram

B

Chest X-ray

C

Ultrasound

D

3D tomosynthesis

Explanation:

3D mammograms can detect small tumors in dense breast tissue more effectively.

Screening

Tests guided by clinical guidelines and risk profile

  • Mammogram
  • Ultrasound
  • Genetic testing if high risk
  • Self-exam: know your normal
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Treatment

Approaches determined by current guidelines

  • Surgery
  • Radiation
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormone Therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Targeted Therapy
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Outlook

Outlook determined by evidence based results

  • Localized stage: 5yr survival - 99%
  • Regional stage: 5yr survival - 87%
  • Distant stage: 5yr survival - 32%
  • New cases risen an average 0.6% each year over 2013–2022
  • Rate of death declined an average 1.2% each year over 2014–2023
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Question 3

Which group now has a significantly higher survival rate than it did 20 years ago, thanks to improved treatments?
A

People with metastatic (stage IV) breast cancer

B

People with HER2-positive breast cancer

C

People with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer

D

People with triple-negative breast cancer

Explanation:

Even advanced breast cancer has seen survival improvements because of new therapies, especially targeted and systemic treatments

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