Awareness Breast Cancer

DO SOMETHING ABOUT BREAST CANCER

Each year, thousands of Canadians are touched by breast cancer. At the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, we are working to create a future without breast cancer. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to educating women about the importance of early detection. CU-Boulder's Wardenburg Health Center is sponsoring a breast cancer information table today, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 4:30-7 p.m. at the Recreation Center. "Our goal is to educate women on campus about risk factors that increase the chance of developing breast cancer," said Heather Collis, student coordinator of the Wellness Program. According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer found in women today. Screening mammography, clinical breast examinations and for women 20 years of age and older, breast self-examinations are vital.

Understanding Breast Cancer Guide
The Understanding Breast Cancer Guide provides an overview of the entire Understanding Breast Cancer section to give you quick access to areas of particular interest.


Anatomy of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a type of cancer where cells in the breast divide and grow without normal control. About 85 percent of breast cancers begin in the mammary ducts, while about 15 percent arise in the lobules [5]. Tumors in the breast tend to grow slowly.

Invasive Breast Cancer
Invasive breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells from inside the lobules or ducts break out into nearby breast tissue. Breast cancer may grow from a tiny tumor to a larger one, later traveling to nearby lymph nodes, then distant ones. Cancer cells can also travel from the breast through the blood and lymphatic system early in the process when the tumor is small.

Carcinoma in Situ

Ductal carcinoma in situ

The term "in situ" means "in place". With DCIS, the abnormal cells are still "in place" inside the ducts. DCIS is a non-invasive breast cancer (you may also hear the term “pre-invasive breast carcinoma”). Although the abnormal cells have not spread to tissues outside the ducts, they can develop into invasive cancer. For more on DCIS and risk of invasive breast cancer, visit the Risk Factors section. For treatment information, visit Ductal Carcinoma in Situ.

Lobular carcinoma in situ
When abnormal cells grow inside the lobules of the breast, but have not spread to nearby tissue or beyond, the condition is called lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). Although LCIS does not often develop into invasive breast cancer, it increases the risk of invasive cancer. For more on LCIS and risk of invasive breast cancer, visit the Risk Factors section. For treatment information, visit Lobular Carcinoma in Situ.

Both men and women can get carcinoma in situ or invasive breast cancer.
For more on male breast health, see Breast Facts for Men.