1. Overview of
Breast Cancer
Dr. Rizwana Syed
M.D.
Ob Gyn

2. Breast Cancer Facts

2nd
leading cause of death

2nd
most common cancer

Incidence increases with age

All women are at risk

3. How is the Breast Designed
The breasts sit on the chest
muscles that cover the ribs.
Each breast is made of 15 to 20
lobes.
Lobes contain many smaller
lobules.
Lobules contain groups of tiny
glands that can produce milk.
Milk flows from the lobules
through thin tubes called ducts to
the nipple.
The nipple is in the center of a
dark area of skin called the
areola.
Fat fills the spaces between the
lobules and ducts.

4. Types of Breast Cancer
Ductal CarcinomaDuctal Carcinoma
• Originate in ducts that carry milk to nipples
• If cancer confined to duct = in situ (DCIS)
• Usually found on mammogram
• If moved beyond duct = invasive or infiltrating
Lobular Carcinoma
rare

5. What causes Breast cancer
• Breast cancer is always caused by a genetic
abnormality (a “mistake” in the genetic material).
However, only 5-10% of cancers are due to an
abnormality inherited from your mother or father.
About 90% of breast cancers are due to genetic
abnormalities that happen as a result of the
aging process and the “wear and tear” of life in
general.

6. Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Gender: female (1% males)
Race: more common in whites
Age: increases as a woman gets older.
Relative : (mother or sister)
Menstrual history :early on set
late menopause
Childbirth: first child After the age of
30 or having no children at all
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are protective against breast cancer

7. Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Obesity
Diet: Fat
Alcohol
Lack of Physical Activity ; Stress
Radiation Exposure
History of cancer: breast, uterus, cervix, ovary
Hormones: estrogens in Hormone replacement
therapy & Birth control pills
Genetics : certain conditions that are inheritated
> 70% have no risk factors

8. Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Early breast cancer may not have symptoms.

9. Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

10. Prevention
Breast Cancer Risk Factors
that can be controlledcontrolled
All
women are
at risk
Obesity Exercise
Breastfeeding Alcohol
Hormone
Replacement
Therapy
Not having
children

12. Screening For Breast Cancer
A Good Breast Health Plan
• Self Awareness (Monthly Self
Exams) (BSE)
• Clinical Breast Examination
(CBE)
• Mammograms

13. Screening
Average-size lump found by woman
practicing occasional breast self-exam
(BSE)
Average-size lump found by woman
practicing regular breast self-exam
(BSE)
Average-size lump found by first
mammogram
Average-size lump found by getting regular
mammograms
riz

14. Breast Self Examination (BSE)
• Opportunity for woman to
become familiar with her
breasts
• Monthly exam of the
breasts and underarm area
• May discover any changes
early
• Begin at age 20, continue
monthly

15. When to do BSE
• Menstruating women- 5 to 7
days after the beginning of
their period
• Menopausal women -
same date each month
• Pregnant women –
same date each month
• Takes about 10 minutes
• Perform BSE at least
once a month
• Examine all breast tissue

17. Why don’t more women practice BSE
• Fear
• Embarrassment
• Youth
• Lack of knowledge
• Too busy,
forgetfulness

18. Clinical Breast Examination
• Performed by doctor or
trained nurse practitioner
• Annually for women over
40yrs
• At least every 3 years for
women between 20 and
40 yrs
• More frequent
examination for high risk
patients

19. Mammography
X-ray of the breast
Has been shown to
save lives in patients
50-69
Data mixed on
usefulness for patients
40-49
Normal mammogram
does not rule out
possibility of cancer
completely

20. Women (asymptomatic)
40 years of age and
older should have a
MAMMOGRAM every
year.

21. Treatment for Breast Cancer
• Surgery
• Radiation Therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Hormonal Therapy

22. SurgerySurgery
•Lumpectomy
•Modified Radical
Mastectomy
•Radical Mastectomy (rare)
Reconstruction

23. Breast ReconstructionBreast Reconstruction
Pre and Post Expander and ImplantPre and Post Expander and Implant

24. Pre and Post Tissue and Implants CombinedPre and Post Tissue and Implants Combined

25. •Radiation Therapy
•Chemotherapy
•Hormonal Therapy
As a adjunct to surgery depending
on stage of cancer

26. Prognosis after Breast Cancer
5-Year
Survival (%)
10-Year Survival
(%)
Stage 0 95 90
Stage I 85 70
Stage II 70 50
Stage III 55 30
Stage IV 5 2

27. Myths & Facts
•Touching the breasts too often will lead to cancer
•Talking about cancer causes cancer
•Using illegal drugs causes cancer
•Herbs cure breast cancer
(uña de gato/cat’s claw)
•A bruise on the breast will lead to breast cancer.
•If an incision is made during breast cancer surgery,
the cancer will spread.
•Getting too many mammograms leads to
breast cancer.
•Mammograms are only used to evaluate
breast lumps.

28. Myths & Facts
• Breast cancer only affects older women
• If you have a risk factor for breast
cancer, you're likely to get the disease
• Using antiperspirants causes breast
cancer.
• A breast cancer diagnosis is an
automatic death sentence.
• Breast cancer is preventable

29. THANK YOU
drrizwanasyed@hotmail.com