October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Understanding the Different Types of Breast Cancer
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to recognize those living with breast cancer, remember those we have lost, celebrate survivors, and support the healthcare professionals, researchers, families, volunteers, and organizations working toward better treatments—and ultimately, a future where breast cancer no longer takes lives.
At Saving Grace Medical Academy, healthcare education is at the heart of what we do. Many of the students who walk through our classroom doors are nurses, healthcare professionals, first responders, and students preparing for careers where they may one day care for someone facing cancer.
This October, we proudly stand with the people and organizations dedicated to breast cancer research, treatment, education, support, and finding a cure.
What Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer begins when cells in breast tissue become cancerous and grow abnormally. These cells can form a malignant tumor, invade nearby tissue and, in some cases, spread to other areas of the body.
Breast cancer isn't a single disease. There are several different types, and understanding those differences helps healthcare teams determine the most appropriate treatment for each patient.
Ductal Carcinoma
Ductal carcinoma begins in the ducts of the breast. It is the most common type of breast cancer.
It may be in situ, meaning the abnormal cells remain within the duct, or invasive, meaning cancer cells have grown into the surrounding breast tissue.
Lobular Carcinoma
Lobular carcinoma begins in the lobules—the glands responsible for producing milk.
Like ductal carcinoma, lobular breast cancer can be classified according to whether the abnormal or cancerous cells remain where they began or have invaded surrounding breast tissue.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. Cancer cells block lymph vessels in the skin of the breast, which can cause noticeable changes such as swelling, redness or darker coloration.
Unlike some other breast cancers, inflammatory breast cancer may not first appear as a distinct lump.
Paget Disease of the Breast
Paget disease of the breast is a rare form of breast cancer involving the nipple and surrounding area. It can cause changes that may initially resemble a skin condition and is commonly associated with cancer elsewhere within the breast.
Breast Cancer Can Also Be Classified by Its Biology
Healthcare teams also test breast cancer cells for characteristics that can influence how the cancer behaves and which treatments may be effective.
Some cancers are hormone receptor-positive, meaning hormones such as estrogen or progesterone can influence their growth.
Others are HER2-positive, meaning the cancer cells have increased levels of the HER2 protein.
Triple-negative breast cancer does not have estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors or HER2 overexpression. Because those common treatment targets are absent, triple-negative breast cancer requires different treatment approaches.
These classifications demonstrate something important: two people can both receive a diagnosis of breast cancer while having very different forms of the disease and very different treatment plans.
Awareness Is About More Than Wearing Pink
The pink ribbon has become one of the world's most recognizable symbols of cancer awareness, but Breast Cancer Awareness Month represents much more than a color.
It represents the people undergoing treatment.
It represents survivors and the families standing beside them.
It represents healthcare professionals providing care and researchers working toward better ways to prevent, detect and treat breast cancer.
And it represents the hope that continued research, education and support will bring us closer to a future where fewer families have to experience the impact of this disease.
Throughout October, Saving Grace Medical Academy proudly supports the teams, researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, survivors and families working together in the fight against breast cancer.
To everyone working toward better treatments and, one day, a cure: we stand with you.
This article is intended for general education and awareness and is not a substitute for medical assessment or advice. Anyone concerned about a change in their breast or chest tissue should speak with an appropriate healthcare professional.
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Author - Saving Grace Medical Academy Ltd
Grace. T
Medical Content Writer
