General Information
Breast cancer most commonly arises from what type of cells?
Epithelial cells in ducts/lobules
True or False: Being female and older than 50 are risk factors.
True
What’s the most common presenting symptom?
Breast lump
At what age should average-risk women start mammograms?
40–50 years
Name one type of breast surgery.
Lumpectomy or mastectomy
Name the two main types of non-invasive breast carcinoma.
DCIS and LCIS
Name one genetic mutation that greatly increases risk.
BRCA1 or BRCA2
What does “peau d’orange” skin indicate?
Skin dimpling from lymphatic obstruction
How often should mammograms be repeated in women 50–74?
Every 1–2 years
What therapy is used for HER2+ cancers?
Trastuzumab (Herceptin)
What is the most common invasive carcinoma of the breast?
Infiltrating ductal carcinoma
What reproductive factors increase risk?
Early menarche <12, late menopause >55, nulliparity/late first pregnancy
Which nipple change is concerning for cancer?
Inversion or bloody discharge
What is the standard method for definitive diagnosis?
Core needle biopsy
What systemic therapies are options?
Chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy
Why is receptor status important in breast cancer?
It guides treatment (ER/PR → hormone therapy, HER2 → targeted therapy)
Name two modifiable risk factors.
Obesity, alcohol, inactivity, hormone replacement therapy, radiation exposure
True or False: Early breast cancer is always symptomatic.
False — often asymptomatic, hence importance of screening
What staging system is used in breast cancer?
TNM system
What’s one survivorship issue related to lymph node dissection?
Lymphedema
What proportion of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime?
1 in 8 women
Which type of risk factor (modifiable or non-modifiable) is family history?
Non-modifiable
Why should all breast lumps be checked, even if painless?
Not all are cancer, but early detection is critical
Name two additional imaging modalities besides mammogram.
Ultrasound, MRI
Why is fertility preservation important before treatment?
Chemo can cause ovarian failure