Jefferson’s Breast Care Center offers care for many types of breast conditions, from common, benign abnormalities to breast cancer. “Normal” appearance, feel, and texture of the breasts is different for every woman. In addition, serious conditions such as breast cancer can remain invisible until advanced stages, unless they are screened properly.

Through a woman’s lifespan, she will experience many changes in her breasts, some in response to hormonal fluctuations, aging, weight changes, lactation, or injury. Other changes are in response to the development of a disease or condition, which may be minor and passing or may be as serious as cancer.

Common Benign Conditions
It is estimated that 50 percent of women experience some sort of breast symptoms in their lifetime. The incidence of benign (noncancerous) breast symptoms and conditions increases as women age, until 45 years of age, when the incidence generally declines.

Breast Pain
Cysts
Fat Necrosis
Sclerosing adenosis
Fibroadenoma
Nipple Discharge
Infection/Inflammation

Non-Cancerous Abnormalities
Two conditions in particular are sometimes categorized as early or precancerous conditions, and involve abnormal cells growths that remain in their original locations. They are not cancer but are considered abnormalities that can develop into breast cancer.

Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia (ADH)
Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)

Cancer
Cancers occur when cells become abnormal, and divide and grow out of control or out of order. They can invade (spread) and damage nearby tissue and organs. Also, cancer cells can break away from the malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system. This is how cancer spreads and forms secondary tumors in other parts of the body. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)
Invasive Breast Cancer
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer in Men