Breast cancer

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 Maggie's can help.

What is breast cancer?

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.

Types of breast cancer

There are several different types of breast cancer, including:

• invasive breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma or breast cancer of no special type (NST)
• invasive lobular breast cancer or invasive lobular carcinoma
• triple negative breast cancer – a type of invasive breast cancer
• inflammatory breast cancer – a fast spreading invasive breast cancer
• ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) – an early form of breast cancer

Breast cancer in men is rare, but men can be affected by the same types of breast cancer as women.

Primary and secondary breast cancer

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.

Causes of 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:

• gender – women are more likely to get breast cancer
• family history of breast cancer
• ethnicity – risk is higher in white women (partly due to lifestyle factors)
• benign breast conditions
• lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
• sex hormones – women with higher levels of oestrogen or testosterone after menopause, or higher testosterone before menopause, have an increased risk
• the age your periods start and stop – your risk is higher if your periods started early (before the age of 12) or you had a late menopause (after the age of 55)
• having children later in life, or not having children
• hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• the contraceptive pill

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.

Breast cancer screening

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.

Signs and symptoms of breast 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:

• a lump or swelling in the breast or armpit
• a change in the size, shape or feel of the breast
• skin changes to the breast, such as redness, puckering, dimpling or a rash
• changes to the position or shape of the nipple, such as an inverted nipple
• discharge leaking from the nipple when you are not pregnant or breastfeeding

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.

Getting diagnosed with breast cancer

If you have been having symptoms of breast cancer, the first step will usually be to see your GP.

What happens in your GP appointment

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:

• examine you by feeling your breast and under your arm to check for any lumps or swelling
• ask to see you again in a few weeks if they think that fluctuating hormone levels during your menstrual cycle may be causing the symptom
• arrange for you to see a specialist at the hospital or breast clinic
  

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.

Testing for breast cancer

To find the cause of your symptoms, a breast specialist may arrange further tests, such as:

• a breast examination
• an ultrasound scan of your breast
• a mammogram (breast X-ray)
• a biopsy, where a tiny sample of your breast tissue is removed and tested

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 Maggie's can help.

Understanding a breast cancer diagnosis

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 Maggie's to talk to us, or find out more about understanding a cancer diagnosis.

Treatment for breast cancer

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:

• surgery
• radiotherapy
• chemotherapy
• hormone therapy
• targeted therapies or biological therapies
• immunotherapy
• clinical trials

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 Maggie's can support you.

Managing the effects of breast cancer and treatment

A breast cancer diagnosis can affect your life in many ways. You may be dealing with:

• symptoms and side effects of breast cancer and treatment
• changes to your day-to-day life
• worries about money
• a range of feelings and emotions

Contact or visit your nearest Maggie's centre and together we will find the right support for you.

You can also explore our cancer support pages for more information.

After treatment for breast cancer

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.

How Maggie's can help

We offer free expert psychological and practical support tailored to you, whatever stage you're at, and for friends and family too.

• Find your nearest centre, leave your details and we’ll give you a call
• Just come in – you don't need an appointment

Last review: Nov 2024 | Next review: Nov 2027