Breast Cancer Study Guide: Types, Diagnosis, and Treatment

This comprehensive Breast Cancer study guide provides an in-depth understanding of the anatomy, risk factors, types, and treatment strategies for breast cancer. Designed for healthcare professionals, medical students, and anyone looking to expand their knowledge, this guide covers everything from breast anatomy to molecular subtypes and targeted therapies.
 
Key Features:
Breast Anatomy: Understand the key structures of the female breast, including lobules, ducts, the nipple, areola, fat, connective tissue, and supporting muscles. This foundational knowledge is crucial for understanding the development and spread of breast cancer.
 
Risk Factors: Review both biological (age, gender, family history) and lifestyle factors (obesity, alcohol consumption, radiation exposure) that increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
 
Breast Cancer Screening: Learn about the importance of self-examination, mammograms, and the UK screening guidelines for women aged 50–71. Early detection significantly improves survival rates.
Diagnosis: Discover the triple assessment approach (clinical breast exam, imaging, and biopsy) used to accurately diagnose breast cancer, along with various imaging techniques (mammogram, ultrasound, MRI) and biopsy methods.
 
Molecular Subtypes: Explore the different molecular subtypes of breast cancer, including hormone receptor-positive (ER/PR), HER2-positive, and triple-negative cancers, and how these subtypes impact treatment decisions.
Staging: Understand the TNM (Tumour, Node, Metastasis) system and how it is used to assess the extent of breast cancer spread, helping to guide treatment decisions.
 
Treatment Options: Learn about the various treatment modalities, including surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy), radiotherapy, chemotherapy (e.g., anthracyclines, taxanes), and targeted therapies like trastuzumab for HER2-positive cancers.
Endocrine Therapy: Discover the role of hormonal therapies (e.g., tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors) in treating ER-positive breast cancer, along with potential side effects and management strategies.
 
Metastatic Disease: Gain insight into the treatment approaches for metastatic breast cancer, including chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, targeted therapy, and the role of bisphosphonates for bone metastases.
 
Whether you’re preparing for exams, working in clinical settings, or simply looking to deepen your understanding of breast cancer, this study guide offers a structured and detailed approach to this critical health issue.