Breast Cancer 101

A Guide to Breast Cancer by Susan G. Komen

CHAPTER 4

The Breast & Breast Cancer

CHAPTER 4

The Breast & Breast Cancer

Chapter Overview

The Breast and Breast Cancer discusses the internal structure of the breast and how cancer develops in the breast. It illustrates the anatomy of the breast and shows how the internal systems function together as a whole.

It then looks at how cancer can develop in various parts of the breast and how it can spread from the breast to other areas in the body. The chapter concludes with an interactive 3D model the user can explore.

The following topics are discussed in this section:

  • Structure of the Breast
    • Size and shape of the breast
    • The nipple and areola
    • Breast tissue
    • Lobes and lobules
    • Ducts
  • Circulatory System
    • Arteries, veins and lymph vessels
    • The internal mammary vein
    • Ancillary veins
  • Lymphatic System
    • Lymph
    • Lymph nodes and vessels
    • Axillary lymph nodes
    • Internal and supraclavicular lymph nodes
  • How Cancer Develops
    • Cells and cell division
    • Abnormal cell division
    • Cancer cells
  • Tumors
    • Tumor emergence and growth
    • Non-invasive tumors
    • Invasive tumors
    • Metastasis
    • Common sites for metastatic breast cancer
  • Interactive Breast
    • Interactive 3D model of the breast