Breast cancer is one or more malignant tumors that develop in the breast cells. The cancer cells that form the tumor enter breast tissue and spread throughout the body. Although more common in women, men can contract the disease as well. Invasive, or infiltrating, ductal carcinoma, invasive, or infiltrating, lobular carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, Paget's disease, and inflammatory breast cancer are all breast cancers that afflict the human body. Several rare types of cancer of the breast can strike people as well.

Invasive, or infiltrating, ductal carcinoma is the most common, making up 70 percent of all breast cancer cases. This particular form of cancer starts in the breast duct. It infiltrates the duct's wall until it arrives at the breast's fatty tissue. From there, it has the ability to spread to other sections of the body by means of the bloodstream and lymphatic system.

The second most common cancer of the breast is called invasive, or infiltrating, lobular carcinoma. It represents 10 percent of all breast cancer cases. This type of cancer starts in the terminal ducts of the glands that produce breast milk.

Comprising three to six percent of cases is the cancer called medullary carcinoma. In this particular cancer, cancer tissues are easily distinguished from normal tissues. The cancer cells are larger, and immune system cells hover around the border of the tumor. This makes medullary carcinoma easier to treat than other forms of invasive cancer of the breast.

Paget's Disease is a cancer that comprises three percent of all cancer of the breast incidents. This cancer is focused on the areola and nipple area of the breast. It is characterized by redness of the skin and around the nipple and areola. The cancer victim often feels a burning or itching situation around the area.

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare form of cancer that represents only about one percent of cases. Beginning signs of the disease include swelling of the skin, redness, and warmth. It basically looks as if the skin is infected.

Rare types of cancer of the breast include mucinous carcinoma, a form of cancer that attacks older women. This type of cancer represents three percent of all breast cancer cases. Tubular carcinoma and papillary carcinoma represent one percent of cases. Finally, there are adenocystic breast cancer, which comprises 0.4 percent of cases and carcinosarcoma breast cancer, which represents 0.1 percent of cases.

An excellent way to detect cancer of the breast is to undergo screening. For example, mammograms can detect cancer before the disease becomes problematic. Women who are 40 years and older should have a mammogram each year.

Women who are in their 20s and 30s should have regular clinical breast exams conducted by their physicians. Monthly breast self exams are another important way for women to become accustomed to the look and feel of their own breasts. They can then notify their physicians of any changes in their breasts that may be the early signs of cancer.