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Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer

Definition of breast cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the lining of the milk ducts (thin tubes that carry milk from the lobules of the breast to the nipple). Another type of breast cancer is lobular carcinoma, which begins in the lobules (milk glands) of the breast. Invasive breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread from where it began in the breast ducts or lobules to surrounding normal tissue. Breast cancer occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare. 

Estimated new cases and deaths from breast cancer in the United States in 2014:

  • New cases: 232,670 (female); 2,360 (male)
  • Deaths: 40,000 (female); 430 (male)

See the online booklet What You Need To Know About™ Breast Cancer to learn about breast cancer types, staging, treatment, and questions to ask the doctor.

For an overview of research advances, see Cancer Advances In Focus: Breast Cancer.

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