Essential guide to breast cancer
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells keep dividing to produce a lump (tumour). The tumour can either be benign when tested, or malignant, which means it is cancerous. There is a danger that malignant cancer cells may spread to other parts of the body via the lymph nodes or bloodstream in a process called metastasis.
There are different types of breast cancer:
Non-invasive breast cancer
The most common type of non-invasive cancer is ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This type of early cancer is found only in the ducts of the breast. It isn’t usually detected as a lump, but can show up on a mammogram during regular breast screening.
Sometimes changes to the cells lining the milk glands can be detected – called lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). This is not yet cancer, but can indicate a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer later in life. It can be detected and then regularly monitored on a mammogram and it’s important to remember that most women with LCIS never develop breast cancer.
Invasive breast cancer
- Invasive ductal breast cancer is invasive cancer which has the ability to spread outside the breast. This is the most common form of breast cancer, accounting for about 80% of all breast cancer cases. It can sometimes be referred to as ‘no special type’
- Invasive lobular breast cancer is a less common form of breast cancer. This accounts for about 10% of cases and develops in the cells lining the milk glands. This type of cancer is sometimes harder to detect by mammogram.
- Inflammatory breast cancer is rarer still. In this case, cancer cells block tiny lymph vessels in the skin of the breast, which becomes inflamed and swollen.
- Paget’s disease of the breast usually presents as an eczema-like rash of the nipple.
Facts & figures about breast cancer
According to Cancer Research UK statistics, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK and mostly affects women. In 2011 around 49,900* women were diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK, that’s more than 130 women every day. Around 260 men in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
Women aged 50 and over are in the highest risk group for breast cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. Around 24% of breast cancer cases are in women aged 75 plus.
The good news is that survival rates for breast cancer have been improving steadily over the past 40 years. Cancer Research UK says that more than 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer at the earliest stage survive for at least five years. In the 1970s, just over half of women with breast cancer survived five years or more.
Women are also twice as likely to survive breast cancer for at least 10 years compared to women in the 1970s. Furthermore, almost 2 in 3 women now survive breast cancer beyond 20 years.
Symptoms of breast cancer
Women are recommended to consult their doctor is they notice any of the following common symptoms:
- A lump or thickened area of breast tissue
- Change in breast shape or size
- A lump/swelling in either armpit
- Dimpling of the skin on the breast
- Fluid/discharge from the nipple
- A rash or scaly patch of skin on or around the nipple
- Change in the look of the nipple (e.g. a sunken appearance)
Not all lumps are cancerous, but it is always advisable to talk to a doctor if there is any concern or you feel a lump, however small. GPs may refer patients to a specialist breast cancer clinic for further tests, such as a mammogram and if necessary, a biopsy.
Regular breast screening
If detected and treated at an early stage, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body. So it’s important that women should check their breasts regularly and consult their GP if they are worried.
In the UK, all women aged between 50 and 70 are invited for breast cancer screening every three years. Women with a greater risk of getting breast cancer may also be offered genetic testing.
Breast screening involves taking a mammogram (X-ray) of the breasts – an efficient way of detecting early changes in the breast tissue. Not all breast cancers will be detected this way and there is some concern about screening causing ‘over-treatment’ as not all breast cancers cause problems.
However, breast screening does save lives. Breast Cancer Campaign says that the NHS breast screening programme saves 3-4 women’s lives every day in the UK. And for every 200 women who are screened, one fewer woman dies of breast cancer.
This is how a mammogram works:
It is really important to check your own breasts regularly. Watch this video for help:
Breast cancer in older women
Women aged 70+ are still entitled to have breast screening, but they need to self-refer via their GP. Older women with breast cancer have poorer relative survival rates than younger women, which highlights the importance of early diagnosis. The NHS is trialling a programme of screening to some women aged 47-73. If you have a mother or aunt in this category, then it’s a good idea to encourage them to visit their GP if they have any concerns about changes to their breasts.
How is breast cancer treated?
Treatment options for breast cancer vary according to the type of cancer, the risk of it spreading, and the patient’s own preferences. Common treatments typically include a combination of the following:
- Surgery
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Breast reconstruction surgery
- Hormone therapy.
If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, then it is called secondary or advanced (metastatic) cancer. This type of cancer cannot be cured, but hormone therapy and chemotherapy treatment can be used to slow the spread of the cancer.
Breakthrough Breast Cancer has a very useful and detailed downloadable pdf guide to breast cancer treatment in England and Wales called The Best Treatment.
NHS Livewell website has some helpful case studies with women who have undergone various different treatments for breast cancer.
Specialist support
Coping with a diagnosis of breast cancer is difficult for patients and it is vital they get appropriate advice and support from their medical team on the best treatment options. Emotional and practical support will also be needed from loved ones. Useful information for friends and family can be found on the Breast Cancer Care website.
Specialist support and advice is also available from Breast Cancer Care on 0808 800 6000 and Macmillan Cancer Support on 0808 808 0000.
Other useful articles by myageingparent.com:
What you can do when an older parent has cancer
