What are the most common early warning signs of breast cancer that I should look for?

Breast cancer often shows up as a new lump or thickening in the breast or underarm area, a change in breast shape or size, dimpling or puckering of the skin, nipple inversion or discharge, or redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin. If you notice any of these changes, schedule an appointment with your clinician promptly.

If I have a family history of breast cancer, what genetic tests should I consider and how do I prepare?

You may want to discuss BRCA1, BRCA2, and other hereditary cancer panel testing with a genetic counselor. Prepare by gathering a detailed family tree, noting ages at diagnosis, and any known genetic mutations. Your counselor will guide you through pre‑test counseling, the testing process, and post‑test management, including surveillance or risk‑reducing options.

What lifestyle changes can reduce my risk of developing breast cancer?

Maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly (at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week), limit alcohol to no more than one drink per day, avoid tobacco, and consider a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Breastfeeding, if possible, may also lower risk. Discuss personalized prevention strategies with your clinician.===

How does a mammogram work and how often should I get one?

mammogram uses low‑dose X‑ray images to detect tiny calcifications or masses that may not be felt. For most women, a screening mammogram is recommended every one to two years starting at age 40 or 45, depending on risk factors. If you have dense breast tissue, a higher‑risk profile, or a family history, your provider may suggest annual scans. Discuss your personal schedule with your doctor.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a condition where cells in the breast tissue grow out of control, forming a tumor that can remain localized or spread to other parts of the body.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in breast tissue. It happens when cells in the breast change and grow out of control. New cells grow even when you don't need them, and old cells don't die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass called a tumor.

Sometimes the cancer does not spread any further. This is called "in situ." If the cancer spreads outside the breast, the cancer is called "invasive." It may just spread to nearby tissues and lymph nodes. Or the cancer may metastasize (spread to other parts of the body) through the lymph system or the blood.

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women in the United States. Rarely, it can also affect men.

What are the types of breast cancer?

There are different types of breast cancer based on which breast cells turn into cancer:

Ductal carcinoma, which begins in the cells of the ducts. This is the most common type.
Lobular carcinoma, which begins in the lobules. It is more often found in both breasts than other types of breast cancer.
Inflammatory breast cancer, in which cancer cells block lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. The breast becomes warm, red, and swollen. This is a rare type.
Paget's disease of the breast, which is a cancer involving the skin of the nipple. It usually also affects the darker skin around the nipple. It is also rare.

What causes breast cancer?

Breast cancer happens when there are changes in the genetic material (DNA). Often, the exact cause of these genetic changes is unknown.

Sometimes these genetic changes are inherited, meaning that you are born with them. Breast cancer that is caused by inherited genetic changes is called hereditary breast cancer. There are also certain genetic changes that can raise your risk of breast cancer, including changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These two changes also raise your risk of ovarian and other cancers. Besides genetics, your lifestyle and the environment can affect your risk of breast cancer.

Who is at risk for breast cancer?

The factors that raise your risk of breast cancer include:

Older age
History of breast cancer or benign (noncancer) breast disease
Inherited risk of breast cancer, including having BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene changes
Dense breast tissue
A reproductive history that leads to more exposure to the estrogen hormone, including:
- Menstruating at an early age
- Being at an older age when you first gave birth or never having given birth
- Starting menopause at a later age
Taking hormone therapy for symptoms of menopause
Radiation therapy to the breast or chest
Obesity
Drinking alcohol

What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?

A new lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the armpit.
A change in the size or shape of the breast.
A dimple or puckering in the skin of the breast. It may look like the skin of an orange.
A nipple turned inward into the breast.
Nipple discharge other than breast milk. The discharge might happen suddenly, be bloody, or happen in only one breast.
Scaly, red, or swollen skin in the nipple area or the breast.
Pain in any area of the breast.

Diagnosis

Your health care provider may use many tools to diagnose breast cancer and figure out which type you have:

A physical exam, including a clinical breast exam (CBE).
A medical history.
Imaging tests, such as a mammogram, an ultrasound, or an MRI.
Breast biopsy.
Blood chemistry tests, such as a basic metabolic panel (BMP), a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), and an electrolyte panel.

If these tests show that you have breast cancer, you will have tests that study the cancer cells to help your provider decide which treatment would be best for you, including:

Genetic tests for genetic changes such in the BRCA and TP53 genes.
HER2 test: If your breast cancer cells have more HER2 than normal, they can grow more quickly and spread to other parts of the body.
An estrogen and progesterone receptor test: If there are more receptors than normal, the cancer is called estrogen and/or progesterone receptor positive.

Another step is staging the cancer, which may include other diagnostic imaging tests and a sentinel lymph node biopsy to see whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

Treatment & Management

Treatments for breast cancer include:

Surgery: Mastectomy (removes the whole breast) or lumpectomy (removes the cancer and some normal tissue).
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Hormone therapy
Targeted therapy
Immunotherapy

Can breast cancer be prevented?

You may be able to help prevent breast cancer by making healthy lifestyle changes such as staying at a healthy weight, limiting alcohol use, getting enough exercise, and limiting your exposure to estrogen by breastfeeding and limiting hormone therapy. If you are at high risk, your provider may suggest certain medicines or, in some cases, a mastectomy of healthy breasts. Regular mammograms are important to identify breast cancer in the early stages.