Types of Breast Cancer

Even though various types of breast cancer are diagnosed in thousands of women every year, many people do not know very much about it.

Breast cancer can be defined as cells in the breast that have mutated and become abnormal. Breast cancer is often hereditary, but is also common in women who have taken estrogen replacement therapy. It also occurs when young women begin their menstrual cycle too early and older women who hit menopause too late.

Let’s take a few minutes to look at the many different types of breast cancer.

Common Types

Most instances of breast cancer are invasive carcinoma, NST, which is also called invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). This kind of breast cancer begins in a milk passage and breaks through to attack the breast tissue.

• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the most familiar non-invasive breast cancer. This is cancer that stays in the ducts and is easily discovered with a mammogram. This kind of cancer is almost always treatable.
• Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) starts in the glands that make milk. This is technically not an actual cancer, but it raises a woman’s risk of getting cancer, so women with LCIS should have regular mammograms.
• Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) starts in the milk glands and then spreads throughout the body. This kind of cancer is not as common as others but represents about 10% of all diagnosed breast cancer.

Uncommon Types

Other more rare breast cancer types include tubular, mucinous, medullary, and adenoid cystic.

• Tubular breast cancer can be difficult to detect because it consists of invasive duct-like structures which look very similar to normal breast ducts.
• Mucinous and medullary breast cancers have very unusual appearances under a microscope. Mucinous is usually positive for estrogen and progesterone while medullary is negative for estrogen and progesterone.
• Adenoid cystic can be found in other areas of the body, especially the head and neck. They are usually negative for both estrogen and progesterone receptors.

Treating Breast Cancer Naturally

No matter which of the types of breast cancer you have, Cancer Fighting Strategies can help you find the information you need to help you beat your cancer naturally. This website is full of information about cancer as well as tips on how to improve the effects of your chemotherapy and reduce side effects of the treatments.

CancerFightingStrategies.com has many unique and natural ways to help you fight your cancer while working with your doctor to make your chemotherapy treatments as effective as possible.

Top of Types of Breast Cancer page

Go to Breast Cancer Treatment home