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A lot of us have heard a lot about breast cancer, but what exactly is it? Breast cancer is a lump of cells that rapidly grow and divide in various parts of the breast and breast tissue. 80% of breast cancer is formed in the hollow areas of the mammary ducts, the other 20% occurs in the lobules. Cancerous tumors usually grow very slowly and can actually be present for 10 years before being detectable by a self examination. However, a lump does not necessarily mean you have evasive cancer. It is very important to understand the difference between carcinoma in situ and invasive breast cancer.

When abnormal cells are growing in either the mammary ducts or the lobules, but have not spread outside of that area it is called carcinoma in situ. The term "in situ" means "in place" which describes the nature of the disease. The sub-categories of these diseases are ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).

DCIS is a disease where abnormal cells begin growing in the hollow areas of the mammary ducts. These abnormal cells carry a strong resemblance to those of invasive cancer - DCIS can actually become invasive cancer if left untreated. It is because of this reason that it is very important to frequently perform self examinations.

LCIS is a disease where abnormal cell growth takes place in the hollow areas of the lobules. LCIS differs from DCIS in the fact that LCIS cells do not have the potential to become invasive cancer. However, women that have LCIS are at a much higher risk of getting invasive cancer.

Invasive cancer is when these abnormal cells/tumor spread into surrounding breast tissues and organs. However, invasive cancer could still only be confined to the breast area. If invasive cancer is detected in its early stage, it can be treated with successful outcomes. But in more advanced stages, where the tumor has grown to affect other organs such as the liver, lungs, and bones treatment have lower success rates.

When a woman finds a lump it is very important to have it checked out; the odds of that lump being invasive cancer is about 20%. She will either need a mammogram or a biopsy. The mammogram will be able to provide more information about the suspicious area. A biopsy will give you and the physician definitive results as to what is causing the lump and whether it is dangerous.