Experiences with

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 50, but younger women can also get breast cancer.

About 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. There's a good chance of recovery if it's detected at an early stage.

For this reason, it's vital that women check their breasts regularly for any changes and always have any changes examined by a GP.

In rare cases, men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer. Find out more about breast cancer in men.

Symptoms of breast cancer

Breast cancer can have several symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue.

Most breast lumps are not cancerous, but it's always best to have them checked by a doctor.

You should also see a GP if you notice any of these symptoms:

  • a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
  • discharge from either of your nipples, which may be streaked with blood
  • a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
  • dimpling on the skin of your breasts
  • a rash on or around your nipple
  • a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast

Breast pain is not usually a symptom of breast cancer.

Find out more about the symptoms of breast cancer.

Causes of breast cancer

The exact causes of breast cancer are not fully understood. However, there are certain factors known to increase the risk of breast cancer.

These include:

  • age – the risk increases as you get older
  • a family history of breast cancer
  • a previous diagnosis of breast cancer
  • a previous non-cancerous (benign) breast lump
  • being tall, overweight or obese
  • drinking alcohol

Find out more about the causes of breast cancer.

Diagnosing breast cancer

After examining your breasts, a GP may refer you to a specialist breast cancer clinic for further tests. This might include breast screening (mammography) or taking a small sample of breast tissue to be examined under a microscope (a biopsy).

Find out more about how breast cancer is diagnosed.

Types of breast cancer

There are several different types of breast cancer, which develop in different parts of the breast.

Breast cancer is often divided into either:

  • non-invasive breast cancer (carcinoma in situ) – found in the ducts of the breast (ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS) which has not spread into the breast tissue surrounding the ducts. Non-invasive breast cancer is usually found during a mammogram and rarely shows as a breast lump.
  • invasive breast cancer – where the cancer cells have spread through the lining of the ducts into the surrounding breast tissue. This is the most common type of breast cancer.

Other, less common types of breast cancer include:

It's possible for breast cancer to spread to other parts of the body, usually through the blood or the axillary lymph nodes. These are small lymphatic glands that filter bacteria and cells from the mammary gland.

If this happens, it's known as secondary, or metastatic, breast cancer.

Breast cancer screening

Mammographic screening, where X-ray images of the breast are taken, is the most commonly available way of finding a change in your breast tissue (lesion) at an early stage.

However, you should be aware that a mammogram might fail to detect some breast cancers.

It might also increase your chances of having extra tests and interventions, including surgery, even if you're not affected by breast cancer.

Women with a higher-than-average risk of developing breast cancer may be offered screening and genetic testing for the condition.

As the risk of breast cancer increases with age, all women who are 50 to 70 years old are invited for breast cancer screening every 3 years.

Women over the age of 70 are also entitled to screening and can arrange an appointment through their GP or local screening unit.

The NHS is in the process of extending the programme as a trial, offering screening to some women aged 47 to 73.

Find out more about breast cancer screening.

Find a breast cancer screening services near you

Treating breast cancer

If cancer is detected at an early stage, it can be treated before it spreads to other parts of the body.

Breast cancer is treated using a combination of:

Surgery is usually the first type of treatment you'll have, followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy or, in some cases, hormone or targeted treatments.

The type of surgery and the treatment you have afterwards will depend on the type of breast cancer you have. Your doctor should discuss the best treatment plan with you.

In a small proportion of women, breast cancer is discovered after it's spread to other parts of the body (metastatic breast cancer).

Secondary cancer, also called advanced or metastatic cancer, is not curable, so the aim of treatment is to relieve symptoms.

Find out more about treating breast cancer.

Living with breast cancer

Being diagnosed with breast cancer can affect daily life in many ways, depending on what stage it's at and the treatment you will have.

How people cope with the diagnosis and treatment varies from person to person. There are several forms of support available, if you need it.

Forms of support may include:

  • family and friends, who can be a powerful support system
  • communicating with other people in the same situation
  • finding out as much as possible about your condition
  • not trying to do too much or overexerting yourself
  • making time for yourself

Find out more about living with breast cancer.

Preventing breast cancer

As the causes of breast cancer are not fully understood, at the moment it's not possible to know if it can be prevented.

If you have an increased risk of developing the condition, some treatments are available to reduce your risk.

Studies have looked at the link between breast cancer and diet. Although there are no definite conclusions, there are benefits for women who:

It's been suggested that regular exercise can reduce your risk of breast cancer by almost as much as a third. Regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle can also improve the outlook for people affected by breast cancer. 

If you've been through the menopause, it's particularly important that you try to get to, and maintain, a healthy weight.

This is because being overweight or obese causes more oestrogen to be produced, which can increase the risk of breast cancer.

Find out more about preventing breast cancer.

18,939 public posts

Breast Cancer

Has anyone been prescribed Prolia injections after breast cancer surgery?
kitty7
kitty7in SHARE Breast Cancer Support

Vitamin D & Breast Cancer

and vitamin D intake and risk of developing breast cancer.
vocalEK
vocalEKin Breast Cancer Haven

Another reason for increasing Vitamin D level

and vitamin D intake and risk of developing breast cancer.
vocalEK
vocalEKin Thyroid UK
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Breast cancer

I had breast cancer what l had a operation for . Found out l had her2 positive so got have chemo, radiotherapy and hormone injections every three weeks .
louie1968
louie1968in Breast Cancer Haven

breast cancer oncologist appt

Just went to the oncologist with my mom after her breast cancer diagnosis two weeks ago. Again she is 44 dyalisis patient, had a lung carcinoid removed last year and was in ICU. Now diagnosed with breast cancer and this was the diagnostic after biopsy.
janeths466
janeths466in Lung Cancer Support

pet scans accurate?

hello everyone this weekend has been very hard for me with my moms breast cancer diagnosis.
janeths466
janeths466in Lung Cancer Support

Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Hello, I am 48, I have MS and I was recently diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast cancer, grade 3, with lymph node involved. I have just finished with 2/4 AC with 12 weeks of taxol after. I am waiting on gene studies to make a decision on lumpectomy vs mastectomy after chemo.
Sjreb
Sjrebin SHARE Breast Cancer Support

Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Hi - I'm 63 and recently diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I'm being treated at the Royal Marsden in London. I am having accelerated chemo - 4 cycles of EC every two weeks, followed by 12 cycles of Taxol weekly with Carboplatin added every three weeks.
Bhompston
Bhompstonin SHARE Breast Cancer Support

Breast cancer and fibromyalgia link

I wonder if there is a link between certain breast cancers and fibromyalgia, I have been suffering from fibromyalgia for over 10 years, I have had breast cancer, I have spoken to 9 ladies all have had breast cancer and all have fibromyalgia ???
lindarhewitt
lindarhewittin Fibromyalgia Action UK

Oncologist Appt

Just went to the oncologist with my mom after her breast cancer diagnosis. Again she is 44 dyalisis patient, had a carcinoid removed last year and was in ICU. Now diagnosed with breast cancer and this was the diagnostic after biopsy.
janeths466
janeths466in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

Double Mastectomy with reconstruction using tissue expanders

I have been battling Ovarian Cancer for the past two years, while my sister had been battling triple negative breast cancer with her latest attack being inflammatory breast cancer. Thus, the risk reduction double mastectomy choice for my daughter.
Lindaura
Lindaurain Breast Cancer Haven

Can anyone recommend a good breast surgeon in Los Angeles?

We would greatly appreciate any referrals breast cancer surgeons in the LA area. Thanks so much!
MacroMom
MacroMomin Breast Cancer Haven

Multiple Communities

Hello community, It has come to my attention that some of you who follow this community are under the impression that it is focused on metastatic breast cancer.
VicReg
VicRegAdministratorin SHARE Breast Cancer Support

Breast Cancer

Hello My mom is suffering from Breast cancer stage 1 ,right side breast is removed.she is 50 yr old. Out of 06 chemo, two have been completed with herceptin .At present there is not much side effect seen rather than hair loss. CBC found normal after first chemo.BP normal.
Vishu4646
Vishu4646in Breast Cancer India

Possible Side Effect of Post Cancer Med

I've had bilateral breast cancer. Left side 2002 with chemo and radiation followed up by 5 years of Letrozol. Right side 2013 with only radiation followed up by 5 years of Exemestane (Aromasin). Both tumors were estrogen positive. Now they have put me on Tamoxifen for another 5 years.
HOPEFULLY48
HOPEFULLY48in SHARE Breast Cancer Support

Possible preventative mastectomy

I was tested due to my age at diagnosis and family history of breast cancer. I’m now considering preventative double mastectomy with reconstruction. I’m due to see the surgical team on Friday to discuss my options.
CookieCake
CookieCakein My Ovacome

Endometrial thickening!

So where to begin, not posted for a while but will try to keep this as short as possible and to the point, Breast cancer diagnosis June 2018, Er+/Pr+ Her-2 negative, Grade 2 Stage 2, no lymph node involved, WLE+ Radiotherapy , started Tamoxifen in Sept 2018, my periods stopped straight away ,all was
Vgrady76
Vgrady76in Breast Cancer Haven

I have triple negative grade 3 1a breast cancer with no lymph node involvement and not been offered chemo-just lumpectomy and radiation?

Now that I'm reading more on TNBC and find it is very rare to not have chemo for this very aggressive form of breast cancer. Should I count my blessings and not worry or be concerned? Has this happened to anyone else?
jackandbox
jackandboxin SHARE Breast Cancer Support

CT vs Breast cancer risk

My mom had breast cancer at 85 and lived cancer-free to the ripe age of 96 cancer-free. However, she didn't have another cancer.
doggers805
doggers805in CLL Support

Change in Breast Cancer

Has anyone had a change in Receptors? I previously had Her2 Positive and now the sample from my breast surgery is Progesterone receptor Positive 100% and Estrogen receptor positive 2-5%. My Oncologist is completely at a loss as to what to do. She asked two colleges and got two different answers!
8576
8576in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer
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