Understanding Breast Cancer

In the UK, 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, with 55,500 women and around 400 men being diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

Breast cancer is cancer that forms in breast tissue. Breast tissue is not only in your breasts. It goes all the way up to your collarbone and under your armpit. Everyone has breast tissue – people of all ages and genders.

If breast cancer is diagnosed early, it can be treated successfully. That is why we want to tell you about breast cancer and encourage you to check your chest every month.

Breast cancer causes

Risks you cannot control:

• Getting older is the most significant risk for developing breast cancer. Most breast cancers (80%) occur in women over the age of 50. Most men who get breast cancer are over 60.
• Women who started their periods at an early age (before 12) have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. However, this increase in risk is small.
• If you go through a later menopause (after the age of 55), your chance of getting breast cancer is slightly increased.
• Breast density is the amount of breast tissue compared to fat tissue in your breasts. If you have a high amount of breast tissue compared to fat, you have a ‘high breast density’. This increases the risk of breast cancer – the denser the breast, the greater the risk. Breast density varies naturally between women and can be measured on a mammogram.

• Having someone in your family with breast cancer – a mother, sister or daughter – increases the risk. However most people who have a close relative with breast cancer won’t develop it themselves. A small number of women and men have an increased risk of developing breast cancer because they carry a related inherited genetic change.

   

Lifestyle risks:

• Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer in women. The risk increases with each extra unit of alcohol per day. The number of units in a drink depends on the volume of the drink, and the percentage  alcohol content.
• Your risk of developing breast cancer increases if you are overweight or obese after the menopause. You can reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy weight.
• It is thought that being physically active on a regular basis reduces the risk of breast cancer, in part due to the benefit for weight control. The NHS recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. 
• There’s growing evidence that smoking slightly increases the risk of breast cancer. The risk is higher in women with a significant family history of breast cancer.
• Having children has a complex effect on breast cancer risk. Overall, in the long term, pregnancy reduces the risk of breast cancer, and breastfeeding your children slightly reduces your risk of breast cancer.

The pill and HRT:

• Taking the contraceptive pill slightly increases your risk of breast cancer. However this is usually taken in younger years when the risk of breast cancer is low. The risk is temporary and is thought to revert to normal within 10 years of stopping the pill. . 
• HRT slightly increases your risk of breast cancer while you’re taking it and for a few years after stopping.

Checking your breasts

Your breasts can change for many reasons – like the menopause, pregnancy and breastfeeding, puberty or even during your period. So, if you check them regularly, you’ll be able to spot any new or unusual changes that should be checked out by a GP. If in doubt, get it checked out.

People of all ages and genders can get breast cancer. These signs may look different on your skin tone or your body. It’s really important to know what’s normal for you. 

Remember to look AND feel when checking your chest.

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include:

• A sudden, unusual change in size or shape.
• Unusual lumps or thickening.
• Skin changes such as puckering or dimpling.
• A lump or swelling in your armpit, or around your collarbone.
• Nipple discharge or bleeding. 
• A change in the position of the nipple, including retraction.
• A rash or crusting on or around your nipple.
• Constant, unusual pain in your breast, pectoral muscle or armpit.

Familiarity with your breasts' normal appearance and feel is key to noticing any changes. If you do find a lump or other change, don't panic; many breast changes occur for reasons unrelated to cancer. However, it's essential to see a healthcare professional promptly for assessment. Remember, early detection and treatment are your best defences against breast cancer.