A Comprehensive Review on Breast Cancer: Pathophysiology,Diagnosis, and Treatment Strategies

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed malignancies and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. It is a multifactorial disease influenced by genetic, hormonal, environmental, and lifestyle-related risk factors. The increasing global prevalence of breast cancer highlights the importance of early detection, effective diagnosis, and advanced therapeutic interventions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of breast cancer, including its epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, classification, signs and symptoms, and diagnostic techniques. Different subtypes of breast cancer, including invasive ductal carcinoma, luminal breast cancer, HER2-positive breast cancer, medullary carcinoma, and triple-negative breast cancer, are discussed in detail. Diagnostic approaches such as mammography, ultrasound, biopsy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computer-aided detection systems are highlighted for their significance in early detection and accurate diagnosis. The staging of breast cancer and commonly employed treatment strategies, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies, are also reviewed. Furthermore, the role of herbal medicine and traditional therapeutic approaches, including compounds such as curcumin, green tea polyphenols, piperine, and licorice, in breast cancer management is explored. The review emphasizes the importance of awareness, preventive strategies, and multidisciplinary treatment approaches to improve patient outcomes and reduce disease burden