We have seen women succumb to the hands of breast cancer and we are greatly aware of its notoriety. Breast cancer has affected a number of women all over the world. Some are lucky enough to beat it while others are not so lucky at all. We've seen people lose their mother, their sister or even their friend because of breast cancer.

It is common knowledge that not all cancers are treatable and breast cancer is one of them. Even though there are treatment modalities for cancer but it is not an assurance that the cancer cells won't recur. There is no specific drug available in the market today that is specially designed to cure breast cancer. Up to the present the quest for the cure is still on going.

Breast cancer is the kind of condition wherein the only way to beat it is to outsmart it. How will you outsmart cancer? In the case of breast cancer you will have to discover it at its earliest stage. Earliest meaning the cancer is still starting and has not yet spread. It is really hard to treat breast cancer when it has already affected other areas of the body. Breast cancer is classified into two and each classification has two or more sub-classifications.

I. Non-Invasive Carcinoma

This classification is characterized by cancer cells being confined to one area or location. The cells are basically confined and have not yet spread to other areas of the breast.

a. Ductal Carcinoma in Situ

This is the most common type under this classification. In DCIS the malignant and harmful cells only multiplies in the ducts and lobules of the breast. This type of cancer has the potential to progress into an invasive type. Women that are diagnosed with this type are immediately treated in order to keep it from progressing. With the proper treatment the chances of beating this cancer are high.

b. Lobular Carcinoma in Situ

In this type, the abnormal cells are limited in the breast lobules alone. LCIS is usually discovered when undergoing a breast mammography or biopsy after discovering abnormal changes in the breast. Women diagnosed with this type are usually subjected to a surgical procedure known as mastectomy wherein the breasts are removed. Such a procedure is undertaken in order to reduce the risk.

II. Invasive Carcinoma

Under this classification are types of breast cancer that are capable of spreading all throughout. The cancer cells can go beyond the duct and lobules and affect the surrounding breast tissues.

a. Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma

This type is the most common histologic type of breast cancer. The cancer usually begins at the milk ducts and gradually finds its way outside reaching the breast tissues. The characteristic of this type is a hard and palpable tumor. When the cancer cells spread, it usually affects the axillary lymph nodes.

b. Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma

The symptom for this type of cancer is an area where the thickening is ill-defined meaning there is no notable formation. The thickening may also take place in various areas and can affect both breasts. The starting point for this type is the terminal milk ducts and in the glands that produces milk. This can also spread to other areas of the body such as the lungs, bone and even the brain.

c. Medullary Carcinoma

Medullary carcinoma is a sub-classification of invasive carcinoma wherein the cancer cells grow in a capsule inside the duct. Because of this, the borders are very well defined. Women with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer are usually diagnosed with this type. Even though this type of carcinoma can grow very large, the prognosis for women with this type is very bright compared to women diagnosed with other forms of breast cancer.

d. Paget's Disease

This type is somewhat different. Compared to other types, Paget's disease manifests itself externally meaning the symptoms are readily visible. This condition mostly affects the nipple and areola. Women diagnosed with Paget's usually experience burning and itching near the nipple and areola. Other than that, scaling and redness on the skin are also noted. Usually a woman is unable to palpate a lump beneath the nipple prompting her to undergo a mammography but most often than not the result is negative. The only definitive laboratory exam for this kind of cancer is tissue biopsy.

e. Inflammatory Carcinoma

Associated with this type is a tender and painful tumor along with dusky red skin. Women with this type of cancer have breasts that are abnormally large. Edema and nipple retraction are also observed. The main cause as to why these manifestations take place is that cancer cells block the lymph vessels causing them to swell and get inflamed.

Breast cancer can be deadly and to be diagnosed with this condition can be horrifying. That is why it is highly recommended for women especially those with a genetic predisposition to regularly perform the self breast examination.