Overview
Breast anatomy
Breast anatomy
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.
Substantial support for breast cancer awareness and research funding has helped
created advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Breast cancer
survival rates have increased, and the number of deaths associated with this disease is
steadily declining, largely due to factors such as earlier detection, a new personalized
approach to treatment and a better understanding of the disease.
Breast cancer care at Mayo Clinic
Products & Services
Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress-Free Living
Show More
Types
1. Angiosarcoma
2. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
3. Inflammatory breast cancer
4. Invasive lobular carcinoma
5. Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
6. Male breast cancer
7. Paget's disease of the breast
8. Recurrent breast cancer
Symptoms
Nipple changes
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include:
A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue
Change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast
Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling
A newly inverted nipple
Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the
nipple (areola) or breast skin
Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange
When to see a doctor
If you find a lump or other change in your breast — even if a recent mammogram was
normal — make an appointment with your doctor for prompt evaluation.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic
Causes
Doctors know that breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin to grow
abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and continue to
accumulate, forming a lump or mass. Cells may spread (metastasize) through your
breast to your lymph nodes or to other parts of your body.
Breast cancer most often begins with cells in the milk-producing ducts (invasive ductal
carcinoma). Breast cancer may also begin in the glandular tissue called lobules
(invasive lobular carcinoma) or in other cells or tissue within the breast.
Researchers have identified hormonal, lifestyle and environmental factors that may
increase your risk of breast cancer. But it's not clear why some people who have no risk
factors develop cancer, yet other people with risk factors never do. It's likely that breast
cancer is caused by a complex interaction of your genetic makeup and your
environment.
Inherited breast cancer
Doctors estimate that about 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are linked to gene
mutations passed through generations of a family.
A number of inherited mutated genes that can increase the likelihood of breast cancer
have been identified. The most well-known are breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and
breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2), both of which significantly increase the risk of both
breast and ovarian cancer.
If you have a strong family history of breast cancer or other cancers, your doctor may
recommend a blood test to help identify specific mutations in BRCA or other genes that
are being passed through your family.
Consider asking your doctor for a referral to a genetic counselor, who can review your
family health history. A genetic counselor can also discuss the benefits, risks and
limitations of genetic testing to assist you with shared decision-making.
Risk factors
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.
Factors that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer include:
Being female. Women are much more likely than men are to develop breast
cancer.
Increasing age. Your risk of breast cancer increases as you age.
A personal history of breast conditions. If you've had a breast biopsy that found
lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia of the breast, you have an
increased risk of breast cancer.
A personal history of breast cancer. If you've had breast cancer in one breast,
you have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other breast.
A family history of breast cancer. If your mother, sister or daughter was
diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly at a young age, your risk of breast
cancer is increased. Still, the majority of people diagnosed with breast cancer have
no family history of the disease.
Inherited genes that increase cancer risk. Certain gene mutations that increase
the risk of breast cancer can be passed from parents to children. The most well-
known gene mutations are referred to as BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes can
greatly increase your risk of breast cancer and other cancers, but they don't make
cancer inevitable.
Radiation exposure. If you received radiation treatments to your chest as a child
or young adult, your risk of breast cancer is increased.
Obesity. Being obese increases your risk of breast cancer.
Beginning your period at a younger age. Beginning your period before age 12
increases your risk of breast cancer.
Beginning menopause at an older age. If you began menopause at an older
age, you're more likely to develop breast cancer.
Having your first child at an older age. Women who give birth to their first child
after age 30 may have an increased risk of breast cancer.
Having never been pregnant. Women who have never been pregnant have a
greater risk of breast cancer than do women who have had one or more
pregnancies.
Postmenopausal hormone therapy. Women who take hormone therapy
medications that combine estrogen and progesterone to treat the signs and
symptoms of menopause have an increased risk of breast cancer. The risk of
breast cancer decreases when women stop taking these medications.
Drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.
Prevention
Breast cancer risk reduction for women with an average risk
Breast self-exam
Making changes in your daily life may help reduce your risk of breast cancer. Try to:
Ask your doctor about breast cancer screening. Discuss with your doctor when
to begin breast cancer screening exams and tests, such as clinical breast exams
and mammograms.
Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of screening. Together, you can
decide what breast cancer screening strategies are right for you.
Become familiar with your breasts through breast self-exam for breast
awareness. Women may choose to become familiar with their breasts by
occasionally inspecting their breasts during a breast self-exam for breast
awareness. If there is a new change, lumps or other unusual signs in your breasts,
talk to your doctor promptly.
Breast awareness can't prevent breast cancer, but it may help you to better
understand the normal changes that your breasts undergo and identify any
unusual signs and symptoms.
Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no
more than one drink a day, if you choose to drink.
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.
Some women experience bothersome signs and symptoms during menopause
and, for these women, the increased risk of breast cancer may be acceptable in
order to relieve menopause signs and symptoms.
To reduce the risk of breast cancer, use the lowest dose of hormone therapy
possible for the shortest amount of time.
Maintain a healthy weight. If your weight is healthy, work to maintain that weight.
If you need to lose weight, ask your doctor about healthy strategies to accomplish
this. Reduce the number of calories you eat each day and slowly increase the
amount of exercise.
Choose a healthy diet. Women who eat a Mediterranean diet supplemented with
extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts may have a reduced risk of breast cancer. The
Mediterranean diet focuses mostly on plant-based foods, such as fruits and
vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. People who follow the Mediterranean
diet choose healthy fats, such as olive oil, over butter and fish instead of red meat.
Breast cancer risk reduction for women with a high risk
If your doctor has assessed your family history and determined that you have other
factors, such as a precancerous breast condition, that increase your risk of breast
cancer, you may discuss options to reduce your risk, such as:
Preventive medications (chemoprevention). Estrogen-blocking medications,
such as selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors, reduce
the risk of breast cancer in women with a high risk of the disease.
These medications carry a risk of side effects, so doctors reserve these
medications for women who have a very high risk of breast cancer. Discuss the
benefits and risks with your doctor.
Preventive surgery. Women with a very high risk of breast cancer may choose to
have their healthy breasts surgically removed (prophylactic mastectomy). They
may also choose to have their healthy ovaries removed (prophylactic
oophorectomy) to reduce the risk of both breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
