What is cancer?
The body is made up of various kinds of cells, which normally divide in an orderly way to produce more cells only when they are needed. Cancer is a group of diseases that occur when cells become abnormal and divide without control or order.

As abnormal cells continue to produce, a lump or a mass—called a tumor—is developed. A tumor can be can be benign (non cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Breast Cancer
Breast cancer usually begins in the lobes (which contain the milk-producing glands) or the ducts (the tubes through which the milk travels to the nipple). But breast cancer can be in any of the tissues of the breast.

For a list of different types of breast cancer, click here.

Metastasis of Cancer
When cancer cells spread to other parts of the body, it's called metastasis.

Typically, breast cancer spreads to the lymph nodes located under the arms. Lymph nodes produce a clear, colorless fluid containing water and blood cells that are part of the body's immune system. Because this fluid travels throughout the body through the lymphatic system, cancer can also spread to other parts of the body.  

Benign Breast Problems
There are a number of benign (non-cancerous) breast conditions a woman can and probably will experience during her lifetime. These include changes that occur during the menstrual cycle and other changes that are not related to a woman's menstrual cycle. It is estimated that 50 to 90 percent of all women experience some symptoms such as breast pain, lumps, or nipple discharge by the time they reach menopause. Click here for a list of common breast problems.

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