Types of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a general term for a number of different kinds of abnormal cell growths that can occur in the breast. Your treatment for breast cancer will depend on the type of cancer you have. In almost every case, however, early detection of breast cancer through regular mammograms can save your life.

Breast Cancer Can Occur in More than One Part of the Breast

Breast cancer can develop in more than one area of the breast. Cancer can occur in milk ducts, in non-glandular tissue, and in the lobules that produce milk. Noninvasive breast cancer occurs when the cancer is in the lobules or ducts but has not spread; invasive breast cancer means the cancer has penetrated beyond the ducts and into the surrounding fatty tissue.

Invasive Breast Cancers

Invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, tubular carcinoma, and Paget’s disease are the four kinds of invasive breast cancers. Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common breast cancer, accounting for 75% of all breast cancers. It begins in the milk ducts but invades into the fatty tissue of the breast, where is can metastasize and spread through the rest of the body. The other three types of invasive breast cancers are much rarer.

Noninvasive Breast Cancers

Lobular carcinoma in situ does not require immediate treatment, but it does increase your risk of developing other cancers in both breasts. Ductal carcinoma in situ can be cured when caught early. When it is not caught early, one in five will become invasive. To catch this cancer early and receive treatment that will save your life, regular mammograms are suggested. For most women, initial mammograms can begin around age 40; for women who have a family history of breast cancer, they should begin receiving mammograms much sooner.

Having regular 3D mammograms performed by an experienced board-certified breast imaging specialist is the best way to detect abnormalities early. If you do require annual mammograms, we invite you to visit PURE Mammography on Long Island today. There is no appointment necessary; you can simply stop in at your convenience. You can also call 631-652-3424 or fill out the form on this page to learn more about PURE or to pre-schedule an appointment.