The breasts are made up of many glands that are lined with milk-producing cells. Occasionally, one of these milk-producing cells grows uncontrollably resulting in the formation of a lump or tumour, which may subsequently be diagnosed as breast cancer. Although the exact causes of breast cancer have yet to be identified, the risk increases gradually with age and for certain people there may be a genetic or hereditary component.
Tumours can be benign or malignant .
Benign tumours do not spread, but malignant tumours are made up of cells that can spread to other parts of the body. These can form new tumours that are called a recurrence, secondaries or metastases. Typically treatment of breast cancer will involve surgery followed by a combination of chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiation. However, treatment can vary greatly from patient to patient depending on the stage of the cancer and whether recurrence has occurred. Medicines that interfere with cancer cell growth and division are administered.