Wednesday 04 October 2023
ÐÇ̽Â鶹's
You may be worried about breast cancer, have been recently diagnosed, or you may be thinking of someone you care about.
This page has information about breast cancer symptoms, getting diagnosed, managing treatment and side effects, and how ÐÇ̽Â鶹 can help.
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Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the breast.
It starts when cells in the breast tissue grow in an uncontrolled way and form a tumour.
Women and men can develop breast cancer, but it is more common in women.
There are several different types of breast cancer, including:
Breast cancer in men is rare, but men can be affected by the same types of breast cancer as women.
Breast cancer can be primary or secondary, depending if it has spread.
Primary breast cancer is breast cancer that has not spread beyond the breast or the lymph nodes (under the arm).
Secondary breast cancer is when the cancer has spread from the breast to other parts of the body. It is sometimes called advanced breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer or stage 4 breast cancer.
What causes breast cancer is often unknown, but there are factors that may increase your risk of developing it.
Some of these risk factors are specific to breast cancer, including:
Early evidence suggests that night shift work might also impact your risk of developing breast cancer.
Other risk factors are common to all cancers. Find out more about reducing your risk of cancer.
Having risk factors does not necessarily mean you will get breast cancer. But it is helpful to be aware of the risks so you can see a doctor if you have any concerns.
Women over 50 are more at risk of getting breast cancer. In the UK, women aged 50–70 are invited by the NHS every 3 years to have a mammogram (breast X-ray). These can detect cancers that are too small to see or feel.
You may be offered regular scans or blood tests if you have high-risk genetic factors or a family history of breast cancer. Find out more about genetic testing for cancer.
The most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump in the breast. Sometimes, breast cancer has no signs, but it can be detected early through screening.
When breast cancer does cause symptoms, these may include:
Most people with these symptoms do not have breast cancer. But if you do have symptoms, it is important to speak to your doctor. If it is cancer, it will be easier to treat if it has been detected early.
If you have been having symptoms of breast cancer, the first step will usually be to see your GP.
Your GP will ask you to describe your symptoms. You should also tell them about any previous breast problems you have had, and if you have a family history of breast, ovarian or prostate cancer.
The doctor might:
If you don't have a hospital or breast clinic appointment and your symptoms continue or get worse, you should make another GP appointment.
Find out more about preparing for your GP appointment.
To find the cause of your symptoms, a breast specialist may arrange further tests, such as:
After these tests and scans, you will be given an appointment to receive your results.
Waiting for appointments, tests and results can be a difficult time, and you might find that asking some questions and preparing for your results helps.
Find out more about how ÐÇ̽Â鶹 can help.
The doctor will explain if you have breast cancer in your results appointment, and whether you need further tests and scans to see if the cancer has moved outside the breast.
It is normal to feel overwhelmed or in shock after hearing that you have breast cancer, and you might have a lot of information to process.
Our cancer support specialists are here to listen, to help you understand what your diagnosis means, and to find the right support for you.
Find your nearest ÐÇ̽Â鶹 to talk to us, or find out more about understanding a cancer diagnosis.
Treatment can be aimed at shrinking a tumour, removing the cancer completely, or controlling the symptoms that it causes.
It is common to have more than one type of treatment for breast cancer, such as:
Your cancer care team will work together to decide which treatment options could be best for you. Your doctor and specialist nurse will then discuss these with you.
You might want to get a second opinion before deciding on a treatment plan.
Making treatment decisions can feel daunting, and you might have lots of concerns or questions.
Find out more about how ÐÇ̽Â鶹 can support you.
A breast cancer diagnosis can affect your life in many ways. You may be dealing with:
Contact or visit your nearest ÐÇ̽Â鶹 centre and together we will find the right support for you.
You can also explore our cancer support pages for more information.
When treatment ends, it can leave you with mixed feelings of relief and uncertainty.
For many people, breast cancer is treated successfully. For some, it comes back or is diagnosed at an advanced stage from the start.
We have more information on finishing treatment and treatment for advanced cancer, as well as courses and workshops to support you and your family beyond treatment.
We offer free expert psychological and practical support tailored to you, whatever stage you're at, and for friends and family too.
Last review: Nov 2024 | Next review: Nov 2027
An overview of breast cancer, including the symptoms, causes, tests and treatments.
From American Cancer Society
Last reviewed: 22 October 2024
Find out about factors that can increase or reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.
From Cancer Research Uk (Cruk)
Last reviewed: 22 October 2024
Anyone can get breast cancer, including men. Find out about breast cancer in men, including what the symptoms are and what to do if you think you have it.
From Nhs
Last reviewed: 22 October 2024
Learn to spot the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
From Breast Cancer Now
Last reviewed: 22 October 2024
Sign up to get free text, email or calendar reminders to help you build chest checking into your monthly routine.
From Coppafeel!
Last reviewed: 22 October 2024
Find out about who gets invited for breast screening in the UK, when, and how to book an appointment.
From Nhs
Last reviewed: 22 October 2024
Find out more about how breast cancer size, growth and spread are described using the TNM cancer staging system.
From Breast Cancer Now
Last reviewed: 22 October 2024
Information about the different types of breast cancer surgery, including lumpectomy, mastectomy, lymph node surgery, and breast reconstruction.
From Cancer Research Uk (Cruk)
Last reviewed: 07 November 2024
Information about preparing for treatment, as well as treatment options and follow-ups for breast cancer.
From Cancer Research Uk (Cruk)
Last reviewed: 22 October 2024
Learn about breast reconstruction, including information to help you decide if reconstruction is right for you.
From Breast Cancer Now
Last reviewed: 22 October 2024
Breast cancer treatment might mean you have to think about preserving your fertility. Find out more.
From Cancer Research Uk (Cruk)
Last reviewed: 22 October 2024
Breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast is called secondary breast cancer, advanced breast cancer or metastatic breast cancer. Find out more.
From Macmillan Cancer Support
Last reviewed: 22 October 2024
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