Breast Cancer in women

Symptoms

Symptoms of breast cancer in women may include:

• a lump, or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit
• a change in the skin of your breast, such as dimpling (may look like orange peel) or redness (may be harder to see on black or brown skin)
• a change in size or shape of 1 or both breasts
• nipple discharge (if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding), which may have blood in it
• a change in the shape or look of your nipple, such as it turning inwards (inverted nipple) or a rash on it (may look like eczema)
• pain in your breast or armpit which does not go away – breast pain that comes and goes is usually not a symptom of breast cancer

Symptoms of secondary breast cancer

If breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body it's called secondary breast cancer.

The symptoms depend on which part of the body the cancer has spread to. It can spread anywhere, but it most commonly affects the bones, liver, lungs or brain.

You may also have general symptoms including:

• feeling tired or having no energy
• loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
• feeling unwell with no clear cause
• feeling or being sick

• difficulty sleeping
  

Causes

Anyone can get breast cancer and it's not always clear what causes it.

Risk Factors

You might be more likely to get it if you:

• are over 50
• have dense breast tissue – you may be told this after a breast screening (mammogram)
• have other people in your family who've had breast or ovarian cancer – you may have inherited a faulty gene, such as a faulty BRCA gene
• have certain breast conditions, such as benign breast disease, ductal carcinoma in situ or lobular carcinoma in situ

You may also be more likely to get breast cancer if you have higher levels of the hormones oestrogen, progesterone or testosterone. This may be more likely if you:

• started your periods before you were 12, or went through the menopause after you turned 55
• have not given birth, or gave birth for the first time after 30
• did not breastfeed your children
• have used the contraceptive pill in the last 10 years, or take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – these only slightly increase your risk and for many people the benefits of taking them outweigh the risks

Many breast cancers are also linked to lifestyle, such as smoking.

Treatment Options

The treatment you'll have for breast cancer depends on:

• the size and type of breast cancer you have
• where it is
• if it has spread to other parts of your body
• your general health

The main treatment for breast cancer in women and people with breasts is usually surgery. Other common treatments include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, treatment with hormones (hormone therapy), and targeted medicines and immunotherapy.

The specialist care team looking after you will:

• explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
• work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you
• talk to you about how treatment may affect you, for instance if there are any side effects

You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. You may also have tests and scans.

If you have any symptoms or side effects that you are worried about, talk to your specialists. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.

Surgery

Surgery is usually the main treatment for breast cancer. The type of surgery you may have depends on you how big the cancer is and if it has spread.

Surgery for breast cancer can include:

• removing only the area of your breast with cancer in it (sometimes called breast-conserving surgery)
• removing the whole breast (mastectomy)
• removing lymph nodes in your armpit – these are small glands that are part of the body's immune system

If you've had a mastectomy you may choose to have breast reconstruction, where the surgeon makes a new breast.

This can sometimes be done at the same time as the mastectomy, or you can have another surgery.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells.

You may have radiotherapy for breast cancer:

• after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer coming back
• if you have secondary breast cancer to help control your symptoms

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells.

You may have chemotherapy for breast cancer:

• before surgery to help make the cancer smaller
• after surgery if the cancer has spread to your lymph nodes or is growing quickly
• either before or after surgery if you have certain types of breast cancer
• if you have secondary breast cancer to help make the cancer smaller and control your symptoms

Hormone therapy

Some breast cancers are affected by different hormones in the body, which can make them grow faster.

Hormone therapy uses medicines to either:

• lower the amount of certain hormones in the body
• block certain hormones from getting to breast cancer cells

Hormone therapy may be used:

• before surgery to help make the cancer smaller
• after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer coming back
• if you have secondary breast cancer to help control your symptoms
• if you are not able to have surgery

Targeted medicines and immunotherapy

Targeted medicines kill cancer cells.

Immunotherapy is where medicines are used to help your immune system kill cancer.

Targeted medicines and immunotherapy may be used:

• before surgery to help make the cancer smaller
• after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer coming back
• if you have secondary breast cancer to help control your symptoms

• if you are not able to have surgery
  

When To See A Doctor

See a GP if:

• you have a lump or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit
• you have any changes in your breasts or nipples that are not normal for you
• you have pain in your breast or armpit that does not go away

Some of these symptoms, including breast lumps, are very common and can be caused by other conditions.

Having the symptoms does not definitely mean you have breast cancer, but it's important to get checked by a GP.

If your symptoms are caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it's easier to treat.