Breast cancer: Early detection can save lives

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QUICK LINKS
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Understanding symptoms
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Learn how to screen
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Breast Cancer
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When found early, breast cancer has a 99% five year survival rate, and regular screening plays an important role in reducing deaths.1,2
Visit cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer to find to find local breast screening unit locations.
Visit cancerresearchuk.org
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BREAST CANCER SYMPTOMS

Early clues your body
might be giving you

Breast cancer symptoms can be different for everyone. If you notice any changes, talk to your
doctor right away.
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Early signs and symptoms may include: 3
  • New lumps in breast or armpit
  • Swelling or thickened areas in the breast
  • Nipple or skin changes (dimpling, redness, flaking) in the breasts
  • Changes in the breast size or shape
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RISK FACTORS

What can raise your risk?

Some things can make breast cancer more likely. Learn about the main risk factors below.
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Family and genetic history4

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Having family members with breast cancer, carrying genetic mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2, having dense breast tissue, starting your period early, or going through menopause late increase your risk.
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Pregnancy and hormone history4,5,6

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Your risk may increase if you had your first baby after age 30, never had children, didn’t breastfeed, or used birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy for long periods.
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Lifestyle4

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Being inactive, carrying extra weight (especially after menopause), drinking alcohol, and smoking can raise your risk.
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Medical and work factors4,7,8

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Previous cancer treatments, radiation therapy to the chest, and long-term exposure to certain risks in occupational settings may increase breast cancer risk.
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MYTHS VS FACTS

Breaking down common
myths about breast cancer

There is so much information out there about breast cancer these days, however, there are still a lot of common misconceptions. Let’s explore some common myths about breast cancer.
Myth No. 1
"Only women can get breast cancer."
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Fact
Though it is rare, men can develop breast cancer too. Less than 1% of breast cancer cases are men.9
Myth No. 2
"A lump is the only symptom."
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Fact
In addition to lumps, breast cancer has other signs including skin changes in the breast, nipple discharge, and pain.3
Myth No. 3
"Family history is the primary risk factor"
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Fact
Most breast cancer cases actually occur in individuals without a family history. Other risk factors include age, lifestyle, and environmental exposures.10
Myth No. 4
"Mammograms are always accurate."
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Fact
Mammograms are essential for screening but may not always be accurate. Additional tests such as ultrasound, MRI, or biopsy may be needed to confirm results.2
Myth No. 5
"Breast cancer always requires a mastectomy."
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Fact
There are a lot of different treatment types, depending on the individual case. Options include lumpectomy, mastectomy, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapeutics.11
Myth No. 6
"Chemotherapy is the only systemic treatment."
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Fact
Systemic treatments for breast cancer include chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.11
Myth No. 7
"All breast cancer patients respond similarly to treatment."
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Fact
Each person responds differently to treatments. It is important to personalise treatment for the best options and outcomes.12
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DIAGNOSING BREAST CANCER

Take your health into
your own hands. Start
with a self-check.

Checking for breast cancer can help find it before there are symptoms. It is important to get regular screenings to find any problems early. Below are a few types of screenings and how frequently you should do them:
Self screen regularly
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It's important to be familiar with your own breasts. Knowing how they look and feel can help you identify changes. If you notice anything concerning you should discuss with your doctor.
Examination during your annual doctor’s appointment
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Your doctor or nurse may complete a clinical breast examination to feel for lumps or other changes during routine appointments.
Mammograms every 3 years for women aged 50 to 7013
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A mammogram is an Xray of the breast that can help find breast cancer at an early stage.2
MRI for people at higher risk
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Breast MRI is another screening tool that may be used in addition to mammography. It is less common and is primarily recommended for women who are at a higher risk of breast cancer, such as those with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, a strong family history, or those who have had previous chest radiotherapy.14
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Diagnosing
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Steps to a breast cancer diagnosis
If you notice a change during a self-check, experience symptoms, or your doctor finds something during a routine exam, these are examples of typical steps and tests your doctor may recommend to help diagnose breast cancer. Not all experiences are the same and may vary.
FIRST
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Breast examination by your doctor
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Your doctor will check for lumps or changes in breast tissue.
NEXT
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Imaging tests
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You may have a mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI to look more closely at any changes.
THEN
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Biopsy
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If needed, a small sample of tissue is taken to check for cancer cells.
LAST
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Lab tests
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Tests help identify the cancer type and whether it has spread, guiding your treatment plan.
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Common treatment options

Breast cancer can be treated in different ways. The treatment you get depends on the type of breast cancer and if it has spread. Common treatments include:11

  • Surgery: Removes the cancer from your body.
  • Chemotherapy: Special medicine to kill cancer cells.
  • Radiation therapy: Uses energy to destroy cancer cells.
  • Hormonal therapy: Blocks hormones that help cancer grow.
  • Biological therapy: Helps your immune system fight cancer.
  • Targeted medicines: Go after specific cancer cells.

You might get more than one kind of treatment. Ask your doctor about any risks or side effects.

References

  1. Cancer Research UK. Breast cancer survival [Internet]. London: Cancer Research UK; [accessed on 11th May 2026]. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/survival
  2. Cancer Research UK. Breast cancer screening [Internet]. London: Cancer Research UK; [accessed on 11th May 2026]. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/getting-diagnosed/screening-breast
  3. NHS. Symptoms of breast cancer in women [Internet]. London: NHS; [accessed on 11th May 2026]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-in-women/symptoms-of-breast-cancer-in-women/
  4. Cancer Research UK. Breast cancer risk factors [Internet]. London: Cancer Research UK; [accessed on 11th May 2026]. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/risks-causes/risk-factors.
  5. Breast Cancer Org. Breast Cancer Protection From Childbirth Starts Later Than Thought [Internet]. United States: Breastcancer.org; [accessed on 11th May 2026]. Available from: https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/bc-protection-from-childbirth-starts-later.
  6. Breast Cancer UK. Breast feeding and breast cancer [Internet]. London: Breast Cancer UK; [accessed on 11th May 2026]. Available from: https://www.breastcanceruk.org.uk/life-stage-breast-cancer-risk/breastfeeding-breast-cancer-risk/.
  7. Breast Cancer Org. Prior Radiation to Chest or Face Area [Internet]. United States: Breastcancer.org; [accessed on 11th May 2026]. Available from: https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/risk-factors/chest-face-radiation.
  8. Cancer Research UK. Cancer risks in the workplace [Internet]. London: Cancer Research UK; [accessed on 11th May 2026]. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/cancer-risks-in-the-workplace.
  9. Cancer Research UK. Male breast cancer [Internet]. London: Cancer Research UK; [accessed on 11th May 2026]. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/types/male-breast-cancer
  10. Cancer Research UK. Family history and inherited genes [Internet]. London: Cancer Research UK; [accessed on 11th May 2026]. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/risks-causes/family-history-and-inherited-genes
  11. Cancer Research UK. Deciding which breast cancer treatment you need [Internet]. London: Cancer Research UK; [accessed on 11th May 2026]. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/treatment-decisions
  12. Cancer Research UK. Personalised cancer medicine [Internet]. London: Cancer Research UK; accessed on 11th May 2026]. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/personalised-medicine
  13. NHS. Who breast screening is for [Internet]. London: NHS; [accessed on 11th May 2026]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/breast-screening-mammogram/who-breast-screening-is-for/.
  14. NHS England. Protocols for surveillance of women at higher risk of developing breast cancer [Internet]. London: GOV.UK; [accessed on 11th May 2026].
    Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/breast-screening-higher-risk-women-surveillance-protocols/protocols-for-surveillance-of-women-at-higher-risk-of-developing-breast-cancer.
CMAT-06470 May 2026
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