Quick facts about breast cancer
1 in 23 women in Malaysia are at risk of breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer for Malaysian women, contributing to 1% of all cancers in women
Between 2017 and 2021, there were over 16,430 cases of breast cancer diagnosed
Types of breast cancer
There are many different types of breast cancer, some of which are common, while others are very rare.
Some of these include:
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Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC)
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer. Invasive means that the cancer has begun to invade breast tissue close to where it originated. In the case of IDC, the cancer began in the milk duct and has now spread through the duct wall to other breast tissue.
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Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)
Rather than beginning in the milk duct, Invasive Lobular Carcinoma originates in the milk glands (known as lobules) and invades nearby areas of the breast.
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Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)
Unlike other types of breast cancer, Inflammatory Breast Cancer does not involve a lump in the breast. Instead, the skin of the breast may become red, inflamed, thick or pitted (like an orange), your nipple may become inverted, and the breast may become swollen, hard, tender and painful, or itchy. IBC is a rare type of breast cancer and is more likely to be advanced upon diagnosis, as it is difficult to identify using a mammogram.
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer
Breast tissue can typically feel lumpy, which can make it difficult to know what is normal and what could be a sign of breast cancer. This is why it’s important to perform regular self-examinations and see your GP or healthcare professional if you notice any of the symptoms below. Discussing anything concerning as soon as possible can help give you peace of mind and offer the best chance of successful treatment if you receive a breast cancer diagnosis.
Some common symptoms to look out for include:
Changes in the size or shape of your breast
Any new lumps in the breast or under your arm
Discharge or fluid (other than breast milk) from the nipple, including blood
Dimpling or a ‘pulling’ of the skin on your breast
Breast pain or swelling
Dry, flaky red skin around the nipple area
The receptor status
Following a breast cancer diagnosis, further testing is then done to identify the receptor status of the cancer.
Stages of breast cancer
The TNM system is used to stage breast cancer and define what your cancer looks like. The TNM stands for:
Tumour - the depth of invasion through bladder wall
Node - is a measure of whether lymph nodes have been affected
Metastasis - the degree to which the cancer has spread to other organs of the body
The TNM information, along with other tests, helps determine the stage of your breast cancer using the guidelines below.
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Stage I
Cancer in breast tissue. Tumour is less than 2cm across in size
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Stage II
Cancer in breast tissue. Tumour is less than 5cm in size. Cancer may spread to the axillary lymph node
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Stage III
Tumour is larger than 5cm across in size and cancer has spread to axillary lymph nodes. Possible dimpling, inflammation or skin colour change
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Stage IV
Cancer has spread beyond the breast to other nearby areas of the body
Treatment for breast cancer
There are many different types of treatment for breast cancer. Your treatment will depend on you and your cancer.
Frequently asked questions
Helpful resources
References
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