what is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells in the breast grow and divide uncontrollably, forming a lump or mass that can invade surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. It is the most common cancer diagnosed in women worldwide, though men can also develop it, and it most often affects people in middle to older age. Diagnosis typically involves a combination of physical examination, imaging (such as mammography or ultrasound), and a tissue biopsy to confirm cancer and determine its type and characteristics. Treatment decisions depend on the cancer subtype (for example, whether it originated in ducts or lobules, hormone receptor status, and genetic markers), as well as the tumor size, stage, and the patient’s overall health, and may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone or targeted therapies, and increasingly immunotherapy in certain settings. Early detection through routine screening and awareness of changes in the breast can improve outcomes. If you’d like, I can summarize common signs to watch for, explain how breast cancer is classified, or outline typical treatment options based on different scenarios.