Breast Cancer
Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast grow out of control. It is the most common cancer in women. Many cases are now caught early through screening, and outcomes are strong when treatment starts soon after diagnosis. Men can develop it too, though far less often.
Key points
- A new lump is the classic sign, but changes in shape, skin dimpling, an inverted nipple or unusual discharge are also worth checking.
- Hormone-blocking medicines such as tamoxifen or the aromatase inhibitors are a treatment mainstay, since many cases are hormone-driven.
- Capecitabine, an oral chemotherapy, is one option chosen once the cancer has spread beyond the breast.
- Growing older, a family history of the disease, and specific inherited gene mutations all push up the risk, alongside weight and alcohol.
Spotting breast cancer early
The classic sign is a new lump in the breast or armpit, but the picture is wider than that. Watch for a change in breast size or shape, dimpling or puckering of the skin, a nipple that turns inward, discharge that is not milk, or a patch of skin that looks red, scaly or thickened. Most lumps turn out to be harmless, yet any change that lasts more than a couple of weeks is worth getting checked. Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel makes a new change easier to notice between screening visits.
How breast cancer is treated
Treatment is tailored to the type and stage of the cancer, and usually combines surgery with one or more drug therapies. Many breast cancers are hormone-driven, so hormone-blocking medicines are a mainstay: tamoxifen for many premenopausal women, and aromatase inhibitors such as anastrozole, letrozole and exemestane after menopause. Everolimus is added in some advanced hormone-positive cases, while capecitabine is an oral chemotherapy used when the disease has spread. You can see the full range on our oncology support page. These treatments work best alongside an oncology team that monitors response and manages side effects.
Risk and what helps
Age, family history and inherited gene changes raise the odds, and so do factors you can influence, including weight, alcohol and physical inactivity. Staying active, keeping a healthy weight and limiting alcohol all lower risk modestly. Equally important is turning up for screening when invited and acting quickly on any change you notice. Early detection remains the single biggest factor in how well treatment goes.