Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts.
After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States.
Breast cancer can occur in both men and women, but it’s far more common in women.
It’s not clear what causes breast cancer.
Doctors know that breast cancer takes place if some breast cells begin growing abnormally.
These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and continue to accumulate, forming a lump or mass.
Breast cancer most often begins with cells in the milk-producing ducts (invasive ductal carcinoma).
Researchers have identified hormonal, lifestyle, and environmental factors that may increase your risk of breast cancer.
It’s likely that breast cancer is because of a complex interaction of your genetic makeup and your environment.
A number of inherited mutated genes that can increase the likelihood of breast cancer have been identified.
Consider asking your doctor for a referral to a genetic counselor, who can review your family health history.
A breast cancer risk factor is anything that makes it more likely you’ll get breast cancer.
But having one or even several breast cancer risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop breast cancer.
Many women who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors other than simply being women.
Your cancer’s stage helps determine your prognosis and the best treatment options.
Complete information about your cancer’s stage may not be available until after you undergo breast cancer surgery.
Your doctor also considers your overall health and your own preferences.
Consider seeking a second opinion from a breast specialist in a breast center or clinic.
Talk to other women who have faced the same decision.
Lumpectomy is typically reserved for smaller tumors.
Removing the entire breast (mastectomy).Mastectomy is an operation to remove all of your breast tissue.
Depending on the location and size of the tumor, the nipple also may be spared.
Most women with breast cancer in one breast will never develop cancer in the other breast.
Discuss your breast cancer risk with your doctor, along with the benefits and risks of this procedure.
Complications of breast cancer surgery depend on the procedures you choose.
Breast cancer surgery carries a risk of pain, bleeding, infection, and arm swelling (lymphedema).
Some women choose to have breast reconstruction after surgery.
Discuss your options and preferences with your surgeon.
Consider a referral to a plastic surgeon before your breast cancer surgery.
These operations can be performed at the time of your mastectomy or at a later date.
Radiation therapy uses high-powered beams of energy, such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells.
But radiation can also be done by placing radioactive material inside your body (brachytherapy).
External beam radiation is commonly used after lumpectomy for early-stage breast cancer.
Side effects of radiation therapy include fatigue and a red, sunburn-like rash where the radiation is aimed.
Breast tissue may also appear swollen or more firm.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.
This is known as adjuvant chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is sometimes given before surgery in women with larger breast tumors.
The goal is to shrink a tumor to a size that makes it easier to remove with surgery.
Chemotherapy is also used in women whose cancer has already spread to other parts of the body.
Chemotherapy side effects depend on the drugs you receive.
Hormone therapyperhaps more properly termed hormone-blocking therapyis often used to treat breast cancers that are sensitive to hormones.
If the cancer has already spread, hormone therapy may shrink and control it.
SERMs include tamoxifen, raloxifene (Evista), and toremifene (Fareston).
Possible side effects include hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
More-significant risks include blood clots, stroke, uterine cancer, and cataracts.
These drugs are effective only in postmenopausal women.
Aromatase inhibitors include anastrozole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara), and exemestane (Aromasin).
Fulvestrant is used in postmenopausal women.
Side effects that may occur include hot flashes and joint pain.
Targeted drug treatments attack specific abnormalities within cancer cells.
Palliative care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, and other specially trained professionals.
Palliative care teams aim to improve the quality of life for people with cancer and their families.
This form of care is offered alongside curative or other treatments you may be receiving.
No alternative medicine treatments have been found to cure breast cancer.
Many breast cancer survivors experience fatigue during and after treatment that can continue for years.
When combined with your doctor’s care, complementary and alternative medicine therapies may help relieve fatigue.
List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out.
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions.
Being ready to answer them may allow time later to cover other points you want to address.
Your doctor may ask:
A breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming.
Every person finds his or her own way of coping with a cancer diagnosis.
Ask for good sources of up-to-date information on your treatment options.
Knowing more about your cancer and your options may help you feel more confident when making treatment decisions.
Still, some women may not want to know the details of their cancer.
If this is how you feel, let your doctor know that, too.
ping the American Cancer Society to find out about support groups in your area and online.
Ask your doctor for a referral to a counselor or other professional who works with cancer survivors.
As you begin telling people about your breast cancer diagnosis, you’ll likely get many offers for help.
Because of these attitudes, breast cancer may affect your self-image and erode your confidence in intimate relationships.
Talk to your partner about your insecurities and your feelings.
Making changes in your daily life may help reduce your risk of breast cancer.
Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of screening.
Together, it’s possible for you to decide what breast cancer screening strategies are right for you.
Exercise most days of the week.Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week.
If you haven’t been active lately, ask your doctor whether it’s OK and start slowly.
Limit postmenopausal hormone therapy.Combination hormone therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer.
Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy.
Maintain a healthy weight.If your weight is healthy, work to maintain that weight.
Reduce the number of calories you eat each day and slowly increase the amount of exercise.
Options include tamoxifen and raloxifene (Evista).
Aromatase inhibitors have shown some promise in reducing the risk of breast cancer in women with a high risk.
Discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor.
Updated: 2016-08-16
Publication Date: 2001-06-26
