Cancer is defined as irregular cells that grow out of control. Cells invade and destroy healthy tissues. These irregular cells can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and lymphatic system

Invasive Breast Cancer is cancer that spreads to nearby tissue (lymph nodes, armpit etc)

Noninvasive Breast Cancer (in situ breast cancer) – Ductal carcinoma in situ consists of abnormal cells in the lining of the milk ducts

Biopsy is a microsurgery where small amounts of tissue are removed and examined for signs of cancer

Mastectomy is a procedure where a portion or the entire breast is removed from the body in order to get rid of cancerous cells

Lumpectomy is a small incision made to remove a lump that may be cancerous for analysis

Benign Lump or Tumor is not cancerous. Such a lump could be collection of normal or hyperactive breast gland cells. It could also be a water-filled sac.
Cyst a water-filled sac

Malignant Lump or Tumor is a cancerous lump or tumor

Alopecia is hair loss. Cancer patients often lose their hair as a result of the chemotherapy.

• Risk Factors
  Several of these risk factors will not affect you now. It is still very important to take good care of your body now so that you can avoid complications later.  
• Starting menstrual cycles early means more years of producing estrogen
• Drinking an excess of alcohol (2+ beverages per day limits the ability of the liver to regulate blood estrogen levels
• History of breast cancer (yourself or family member). If your mother, sister or daughter had the disease before she reached menopause there is an increased risk
• Radiation Therapy (directed at chest/upper body) to treat Hodgkin’s Disease, thyroid problems or cancer
• Using oral contraceptives (in the past, but today there are low levels of estrogen in birth control pills)
• Postponing childbirth (after 30 years old) or having no kids at all (never breaking menstrual cycle means more estrogen is produced)
• Taking hormone replacements
• Being overweight after menopause
• History of benign breast disease with atypical hyperplasia (abnormal cells increase in number) or lobular carcinoma in situ (abnormal cells in lining of milk-producing tissue). Such cell changes could lead to pre-cancerous cells or invasive breast cancer