Breast cancer 

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, and mainly – though not exclusively – affects women. It affects 1 in 7 women and, while survival rates are increasing, we know that early diagnosis plays a crucial role in better treatment outcomes. That means checking your breasts regularly is key.

While breast cancer can affect younger women, the risk of getting breast cancer increases as we get older, and the majority of patients are women aged over 50. While there is a genetic link in some cases, the majority of women with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.

Yes. There are several different forms breast cancer can take. The most common include:

Invasive breast cancer

This is where the cancer cells have spread through the lining of the ducts and into the surrounding tissue. While not always aggressive, it does have the potential to spread.

Invasive lobular breast cancer

This type of breast cancer starts in the cells that line the lobules (the glands that produce breastmilk) before spreading into the surrounding tissue.

Triple negative breast cancer

Aggressive, but thankfully relatively rare, triple negative cancer is so-called because it lacks receptors for oestrogen, progesterone and the protein HER2. Many effective cancer treatments work by targeting these receptors, which can make this cancer difficult to treat.

Inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare form of breast cancer that grows along the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast, causing swelling and redness which make the breast look inflamed.

Angiosarcoma of the breast

This cancer develops in the soft tissue and, while aggressive and quick to spread, is very rare.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

DCIS is when the cancer cells grow inside the milk ducts. “In situ” means they haven’t yet spread into the surrounding breast tissue.

Male breast cancer

Male breast cancer can develop in the small amount of breast tissue men have behind their nipples. It’s both rare and most commonly seen in men over 60, though it can affect younger men too.

The key things to look out for are changes in the look or feel of your breasts. Regular checking will help you to recognise when those changes take place.
Some common breast cancer symptoms include:

• A change in the appearance or feel of the skin
• A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
• A lump in your breast or under your arm
• Discharge from your nipple
• Pain, either in your breast or under your arm

Although breast cancer doesn’t have a single cause, there are factors that can increase your risk of developing it.

Some of these factors you have no control over, such as family genetics, but there are other lifestyle choices that you can influence.

Age: Your risk increases as you get older, with 80% of female breast cancer cases in women over the age of 50.

Family history: While most people who get breast cancer don’t have a family history of the disease, it is a useful marker for increased risk from a mutated gene.

Alcohol

Regularly drinking alcohol increases your breast cancer risk. Put simply, the more you drink, the higher your risk. You can significantly lower your risk by stopping drinking or keeping within the recommended guidelines (14 units per week).

Smoking

Evidence suggests that smoking increases your risk of breast cancer. If you do smoke, quitting will help reduce your risk, as well as having many other benefits.

Weight

Your risk also increases if you’re overweight. Regular physical activity can help to bring your weight down, or maintain a healthy weight, as well as bringing many other health benefits.

An early diagnosis can have a big impact on your treatment, improving breast cancer outcomes significantly. So, if you notice one or more of the associated symptoms, or if you’re worried that something’s not quite right, get in touch for quick access to full range of diagnostic tests, in a safe and supportive environment.

Those tests include: 

• Biopsies
• Blood tests
• 3D mammogram  (tomosynthesis)
• Genetic testing 
• Image-guided biopsy
• MRI scan  
• Physical examination
• Ultrasound scan 

It’s important to remember that not all breast cancers have symptoms. If you’re over 40, or if you have a family history of breast cancer, get in touch for an initial screening and, if necessary, further tests. 

A breast cancer diagnosis always comes as a shock. With many decades’ experience between them, the consultants at The London Breast Institute understand this better than most. 

They’ll give you all the time you need to feel composed and ready to talk through your options.  

Then, in order to ensure you have a treatment plan you feel completely comfortable with, we’ll work alongside you to get a full understanding of your priorities. 

This patient-led approach puts you at the heart of the process and extends to post-operative care as well. Our approach is focused on helping you feel ready to move on with the confidence to face the world.