Types of breast cancer
There are many different types of breast cancer, some of which are common, while others are very rare.
Some of these include:
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Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC)
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer. Invasive means that the cancer has begun to invade breast tissue close to where it originated. In the case of IDC, the cancer began in the milk duct and has now spread through the duct wall to other breast tissue.
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Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC)
Rather than beginning in the milk duct, Invasive Lobular Carcinoma originates in the milk glands (known as lobules) and invades nearby areas of the breast.
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Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)
Unlike other types of breast cancer, Inflammatory Breast Cancer does not involve a lump in the breast. Instead, the skin of the breast may become red, inflamed, thick or pitted (like an orange), your nipple may become inverted, and the breast may become swollen, hard, tender and painful, or itchy. IBC is a rare type of breast cancer and is more likely to be advanced upon diagnosis, as it is difficult to identify using a mammogram.