Overview

Causes

Cancer happens when cells divide without control or order. These cells grow together to form a tumor. They can then invade and damage nearby tissues. Cancer can also spread to other parts of the body.

It is not clear what causes changes in the cells. It is likely a combination of genes and environment.

Risk Factors

Breast cancer is most common in women over 40. Other things that may raise the risk are:

  • Family and genetic risks, such as:
    • Family members with breast cancer
    • Certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2
    • Rare genetic conditions such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome
  • Increased exposure to estrogen, due to:
    • Early menstruation
    • Late menopause
    • No childbearing or late childbearing
    • Hormone replacement therapy
  • Excess body weight or obesity—especially after menopause
  • Smoking, or drinking too much alcohol
  • A history of breast atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ
  • Dense breasts
  • Previous breast cancer
  • Radiation exposure

SymptomsandDiagnosis

Symptoms

Some breast cancers have no symptoms. Others may eventually cause:

  • One or more lumps in the breast
  • One or more lumps near the breast—or under the arm or collarbone
  • A change in the way the breast or nipple looks or feels, such as:
    • Thickening in or around the breast
    • A change in the size or shape of the breast
    • Inward sinking of the nipple
    • Ridges or pitting of the breast skin
    • Breast skin that is red, sore, or flaky
  • Nipple discharge or soreness
  • Breast pain

Diagnosis

Breast cancer may be found during a mammogram screening.

Breast changes may also be found during a regular health visit. The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. A physical exam, breast exam, and blood tests will be done.

Images may show abnormal growth or changes in the breasts. Tests may include:

  • Mammogram
  • Ultrasound
  • CT scan
  • PET/CT scan

A biopsy of the abnormal area will be done. A sample of tissue and nearby lymph nodes will be taken and tested for cancer cells. This can be done with:

  • Fine needle aspiration —uses a thin needle to remove fluid and/or cells from a breast lump
  • Core needle—uses a larger, hollow needle to remove a wider area of tissue
  • Surgical —a or part of a breast lump is removed

Diagnosis is confirmed by the tests. Blood and other tissue tests may be done to look for more information about the type of cancer. The tests can show what type of receptors the cancer has. This is called the biomarker. The cancer is also given a grade to show how likely it is to grow and spread.

The test results, biomarkers, and grade will be used to determine the stage. The stage will help determine the treatment plan.

Treatments

Treatment

The goal is to remove the cancer and stop it from coming back or spreading. Treatment is based on the person's health and the stage and type of cancer. One or more treatments may be used.

Options may be:

  • Surgery to remove as much cancer as possible, such as:
    • Lumpectomy—removal of the breast cancer, some area tissue, and sometimes lymph nodes
    • Mastectomy—removal of the breast, and sometimes lymph nodes and other tissues
  • External or internal radiation therapy—may be used before surgery to help shrink tumors or after to make sure all cancer was removed. May also be used to treat large tumors that are causing problems.
  • Chemotherapy drugs by mouth, injection, or IV—to kill cancer cells.
  • Medicines, such as:
    • Targeted therapy—special antibodies are made to help attack cancer cells. They may keep cancer cells from growing and spreading or kill cancer cells.
    • Hormone-blocking therapy—to slow or stop growth in certain types of breast cancer. Medicine is taken over several years to help prevent recurrence.
    • Biological therapy—trains or boosts the immune system to fight cancer.

Prevention

Avoiding risk factors may help to decrease risk of cancer. The risk of breast cancer may be lowered by:

  • Reaching and keeping a healthy weight
  • Regular physical activity
  • Avoiding or limiting alcohol

Women with a very high risk may benefit from hormone therapies or other treatments.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Edits to original content made by Denver Health.