Download Breast Cancer

In the UK, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer
among women. Approximately 45,000 cases of breast cancer are
diagnosed every year, usually in women who are over 50 years of
age and who have reached menopause. However, it is possible for
women of any age to be affected by breast cancer and, in rare
cases, the condition can also affect men.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form
in the tissues of the breast. Damage to the DNA of these cells results in uncontrolled
cell division and growth, and, eventually, sufficient cells accumulate to form a lump.
The cells invade normal surrounding breast tissue and can break off from the
primary lump to spread in lymph channels or the blood stream to other organs where
secondary lumps (metastases) may form.
The breast is divided into ducts and lobules. The most common form of breast
cancer arises from the ducts and is known as invasive ductal carcinoma. Cancers
arising from the lobules (invasive lobular carcinomas) are less common.
How well do you know your breasts?
The only way to know what is normal for you is to check your breasts regularly. It is
also important to check at different times of the month, as the breasts can feel lumpy
before a period.
Know what to look for:
A lump or thickening in the breast or armpit
Any change in the size or feel of the breast
Any discharge from the nipple
Puckering of the skin or around the nipple. Any other change to the nipple
including rashes or redness of the skin.
Pain on one side.
The best time to check the breasts is in the bath or shower. Looking in the
mirror may also help to spot any changes in the shape of the breast.
REMEMBER - report any concerns to your GP as soon as possible. Most lumps are
not caused by cancer but if cancer is diagnosed then early detection gives a greater
chance of successful treatment.
Risk Factors
Age: Breast cancer becomes more common as age increases.
Family History: Having one or two relatives with breast cancer does increase the
risk slightly however if you have a close relative e.g. mother or sister who developed
breast cancer before 50 then the risk is greater. Your GP can arrange further tests to
assess the risk if you have a strong family history.
HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy): The risk becomes greater the longer the
period of time HRT is taken. However the risk starts to decrease when treatment
stops.
Contraceptive Pill causes a slight increase in risk which also starts to fall when the
Pill is stopped. It is also thought to be beneficial in decreasing the risk of ovarian
cancer.
Lifestyle: obesity especially after the menopause and drinking above the
recommended 14 units of alcohol per week increase the risk.
Periods: If you start your periods at an early age or go through the menopause later
than average the risk increases.
What helps to decrease the risk?
Breastfeeding: breastfeeding decreases the risk and the risk decreases further the
longer you breast feed especially if you are younger when you have your first child.
Screening: the NHS offers free mammograms to all women between the ages of 5070. Women should attend every 3 years. Mammography is a special x-ray which
aims to detect cancer at an early stage often before any lump can be felt. Early
detection can improve the success of treatment.
Lifestyle: a healthy lifestyle not only helps protect against breast cancer but also
heart disease and diabetes. Take regular moderate to vigorous exercise and try to
eat a healthy balanced diet. Eat less saturated fat, more lean white meat and cut
down on processed and sugary foods.
Alcohol should be limited to one drink per day.
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
GP consultation. If you develop a lump or symptoms which may be breast cancer,
your GP will usually examine your breasts and armpits (axilla) to look for any lumps
or other changes. You will normally be referred to a specialist. Sometimes a biopsy
of an obvious lump is arranged, but other tests may be done first such as:
Mammography. This is a special x-ray of the breast tissue which can detect
changes in the density of breast tissue which may indicate a tumour.
Ultrasound scan of the breast.
Biopsy - to confirm the diagnosis
A biopsy is when a small sample of tissue is removed from a part of the body. The
sample is then examined under the microscope to look for abnormal cells. A
specialist may take a biopsy with a fine needle which is pushed into the lump and
some cells are withdrawn. Sometimes the doctor may be guided as to where to
insert the needle with the help of a mammogram or ultrasound scan. Sometimes a
small operation is needed to obtain a biopsy sample. The biopsy sample can confirm
or rule out breast cancer and can also determine the grade of the cancer.
Assessing the extent and spread
If you are confirmed to have breast cancer, further tests may be needed to assess if
it has spread. For example, blood tests, an ultrasound scan of the liver, chest x-ray,
a bone scan, other types of scan, etc This assessment is called 'staging' of the
cancer. The aim of staging is to find out:
How large the tumour has grown.
Whether the cancer has spread to local lymph nodes in the armpit.
Whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the body (metastasized).
Treatment
The type of treatment offered will depend on several factors.
The size, grade and stage of the cancer.
Your age and if you are pre or post menopausal.
If the tumour is hormone sensitive
Treatment may be one or more of the following:
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
Hormone therapy
For further information and support
Understanding your breasts. ( Breakthrough Breast Cancer)
NHS Breast Screening Programme.( NHS Cancer Screening Programmes)
About breast cancer. ( Cancer Research UK)
Breast prostheses. ( Breast Cancer Care)
Support groups around the UK for women with breast cancer. ( Breast Cancer Care)
Surgery and breast reconstruction for breast cancer. ( Cancer Research UK)
Which treatment for breast cancer? (Cancer Research UK)
Women with breast cancer in the family ( NICE)
For those concerned about their family history of breast cancer. (Breakthrough
Breast Cancer)
Advice and complementary support ( Penny Brohn Cancer Care)
Online Personal and Education Risk Assessment (OPERA) (Cancerbackup)