Breast Cancer

Question 1

Where do breast cancers usually begin devloping?

Answer 1

In the ducts

Question 2

What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?

Answer 2

A new lump
Nipple change
Skin change
Unusual nipple discharge
Shape change

Question 3

What are the risk factors for developing breast cancer?

Answer 3

Non-modifiable
- Being a woman
- Aging
- Family history
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes

Modifiable
- Obesity
- High alcohol consumption
- Sedentary lifestyle

Question 4

What is ductal carcinoma in situ?

Answer 4

When cancer cells are in the breast duct, have not yet spread outside the duct and into surrounding breast tissue

Question 5

What is invasive ductal carcinoma?

Answer 5

When cancer cells invade into surrounding breast tissue from the breast duct and have the ability to metastasize to lymph nodes and other organs

Question 6

What is inflammatory breast cancer?

Answer 6

An aggressive breast cancer characterised by progressive inflammation of the breast, turning from pink to red or purple, becoming swollen and heavy

Question 7

What screening options are there for breast cancer?

Answer 7

Mammograms
- Breast tissue X-ray

Ultrasound
- Especially in younger women or women with dense breast tissue

MRI

Question 8

What is the triple test for breast cancer?

Answer 8

History and physical exam

Imaging

Biopsy

Question 9

What are some treatment options for berast cancer?

Answer 9

Surgery
- Lumpectomy
- Partial or total mastectomy +/- reconstruction

Chemotherapy

Radiotherapy

Targeted therapies
- Monoclonal antibodies
- Antibody-drug conjugates

Endocrine therapy
- Blocks oestrogen production stunting breast cancer growth