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Breast cancer

For women, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers and over 41,000 women are diagnosed each year as well as about 300 men.

The chances of developing breast cancer are higher in older women, but lower in women who have had children at a young age and who have breast fed their children.

Possible signs of breast cancer include a new lump, thickening or puckering of the skin, a nipple that changes shape or is turned inwards or a discharge from the nipple. Breast cancer can be treated more successfully if it is diagnosed early and a national screening programme for women between 50 and 64 (currently being extended to age 70) is helping to reduce the numbers of women who die from the disease.

Genetic risk factors

A small number of cancers (between 5 and 10% or less than 1 in 10 cases) seem to be caused by a gene that is inherited from either parent. If you have one or two relatives with cancer, this does not mean that a 'cancer gene' is running in your family.

Macmillan has created an online tool called OPERA to help you assess your inherited genetic risk of breast and ovarian cancer, which is available on our Cancerbackup website.

Treatment

Treatment for breast cancer can be one or more of surgery (removal of the lump or the whole breast), radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Breast reconstruction may be carried out at the same time as initial surgery.

Breast Cancer Specialist Nurses have had additional education and experience with breast cancer and are available to provide support and help to people with breast cancer and their families.

Lymphoedema (build up of lymph fluid in the tissues of the arm and hand causing swelling) may be an unwanted effect of breast cancer or its treatments