Breast Cancer

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is when abnormal cells in the breast begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way and eventually form a tumour. It is the most common cancer in the UK, with around 55,000 new cases diagnosed each year. While it mainly affects women, about 370 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK.

Symptoms

• A new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast
• A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
• A discharge of fluid from either nipple
• A lump or swelling in either armpit
• Dimpling on the skin of your breast
• A rash on or around your nipple
• A change in the appearance of your nipple (sunken into the breast)
• Pain in your breast or armpit that is not related to your period

Diagnosis

If breast cancer is suspected, you will be referred to a specialist breast clinic for tests including mammogram (breast X-ray), ultrasound, and biopsy (removing a small sample of cells).

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type and stage of breast cancer:

• Surgery — lumpectomy (removing the tumour) or mastectomy (removing the breast)
• Radiotherapy — usually after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells
• Chemotherapy — before or after surgery, or for advanced breast cancer
• Hormone therapy — tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer
• Targeted therapy — herceptin (trastuzumab) for HER2-positive breast cancer

Breast Screening

The NHS Breast Screening Programme offers a mammogram every 3 years to all women aged 50-70. If you are in this age group, you should receive an invitation automatically.