An Overview of Breast Cancer Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Classification, Genetics, Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common form of female cancer worldwide, including India. The incidences of breast cancer cases have shown a drastic increase in our country in the last few decades. They are more prevalent in metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Kolkata, Chennai and Ahmedabad. It is estimated that one in twenty eight women in India is likely to develop BC during her lifetime (with 1 in 22 for urban women and 1 in 60 for the rural women). The survival rate for BC is low in India because most of the cases are detected at advanced stages. There are a number of risk factors associated with breast cancer, some are modifiable while others are non-modifiable. The classification is done at the histological level and molecular level. At the molecular level breast cancer is a very heterogeneous disease. BC is curable if detected early, hence early diagnosis plays a key role in survival of the patients. The signs and symptoms of BC can be detected by simple self-examination. With the increased awareness and advancement in diagnostic techniques, like mammography, breast ultrasound and breast MRI, the number of cases detected at early stages are increasing and also the number of false-positive cases are decreasing. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, biopsy is done to assign the Stage, Grade, Biomarkers, Genetic status and Molecular profile of the tumour. The treatment is planned on the basis of tumour type which includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy and immunotherapy.