How does it start?
Breast Cancer starts when the healthy cells in the breast increase and change quickly. As the cells grow, the tumor(s) can be seen on imaging tools like KCH's 3D mammography unit. Thanks to 3-D mammography, our general surgeons can detect the cancer earlier and offer better outcomes to our community.
Types of Breast Cancer:
Noninvasive breast cancer is also called in-situ breast cancer, where the cancer cells are within the lining of the lobule or duct. Noninvasive cancer may never spread to become an invasive cancer.
Invasive breast cancer has spread outside of the lining of the ducts or breast tissue and can invade the blood, lymph system, and other organs of your body.
Cancers are either invasive or noninvasive. They get their name from the area where the tumor first starts.
- Ductal carcinoma starts in the milk ducts of your breast.
- Lobular carcinoma begins in the milk lobules.
What are the symptoms?
- Lump or thickening of the breast or armpit
- Changes to breast size or shape
- Skin dimpling or puckering
- Redness and nipple discharge
Whether you are in an emergent situation with an acute condition or ready to find answers for something more chronic or less urgent, our general surgery team prepares for those planned and unplanned moments of need.